Life, Styled
To some, the words “interior design” merely imply good decor taste, but there is so much more meaning and intent behind these words. It extends beyond knowing which fabric is best suited for window treatments in a bedroom or which color is the most suitable choice for a particular room. The purpose of interior design is to create a space that not only looks aesthetically pleasing but is also functional for your lifestyle, representing what matters to you and what makes you feel truly at home. It is designing a space that provides the solutions you need in a way that integrates into your everyday routines. Your home revolves around you, and your experience matters, which is one of the primary goals achieved with a well-designed interior plan. Utilizing interior design offers numerous benefits for homeowners. Let’s explore four of them and how they can improve your daily life.
Problems Solved
An important part of interior design is utilizing the elements of design to address everyday problems that arise when no consideration has been given to the flow and function within the home. Struggling with where to store things that you need access to on a regular basis? Interior design can help you solve this by creating areas within reach that provide storage while still keeping the house looking nice, such as an ottoman that allows you to store blankets inside. Wondering how to make a room look bigger? There are several interior design tricks that can create the illusion of more space. For example, if you have low ceilings, consider using furniture that is close to the ground, causing the eye to be drawn toward the ceiling instead. Utilizing interior design principles can also help you solve additional problem areas in the home, including:
- Hide worn-out flooring
- Increasing natural light
- Gaining cabinet space
- Form multiple zones in one room
Problems will arise in the home; that’s normal, but they don’t have to remain a problem. A new rug can be used to hide those worn-out areas on your floor caused by heavy foot traffic. Strategically placing a mirror or two in a room with minimal natural light can suddenly increase the amount of natural light, making the room feel brighter. Although a studio apartment is often a single large space, you can create a multifunctional area for various activities by strategically placing furniture. Understanding the value of interior design can help solve problems in your home, making it perfect for everyone.
Enjoy Your Space
Home is the place where we are meant to relax, where we walk through the doors and immediately feel better. It is where we make memories and experience life with those we love. This is one of the benefits of having a good interior design, as it plays a vital part in forming the atmosphere and mood present in our home. Intention is a critical factor when planning your interior design, as it prompts you to consider the purpose of each space. To enjoy a space, certain elements are necessary to create the right environment for each activity. A bedroom should have colors that make you smile, textures that you love, and furniture that suits your lifestyle, such as a cozy chair or a bed that’s just the right size. If you are designing a family roo,m then there needs to be things included so everyone can enjoy the space at the same time. Selecting seating that is fun for everyone or making sure there is plenty of good lighting for those late nights is the essence of what interior design is all about. Stylish comfort is a reality that can help you truly enjoy coming home every day.
Will Grow With You
Our home is meant to be adaptable for all stages in life. It should be suitable for kids, but also able to accommodate aging in place for you down the road. Interior design can help you choose decor pieces and layouts that are exactly what you need for everyone, without compromising the beauty of your style. When designing a home environment that is kid-friendly, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Furniture is one of the larger items on the list. Since there will be many accidents and adventures taking place inside the four walls of your home, it’s recommended to opt for pieces that are durable and practical. Color is something that should be encouraged when having young children, as it affects the overall mood of the home and adds a spark of fun. Additionally, it is a great way to incorporate the things they enjoy by painting walls or selecting items for their spaces in colors they love. Read a few more helpful hints and tips from an article posted by Real Simple on decorating for children. As you transition into the season when kids are moving on and you enter those retirement years, there are a few things you can do to adjust your home to this new lifestyle. Consider flooring with fewer transitions and slip-resistant rugs. Plenty of lighting is another essential element to incorporate into frequently used areas of the home, such as the bathroom, kitchen, and living room. Good interior design choices can result in a home that adjusts to you with ease.
Keeps It Clean
A beautiful home is one thing, but keeping it that way is another matter entirely. A good use of interior design, however, can make the task much easier by implementing a few rules and tips. Begin with a design that is less cluttered, as a small stash of clutter will soon lead to more, leaving you feeling stressed and your space looking cramped. Take stock of what you have and what you don’t use on a regular basis. What you haven’t used in a year is the perfect candidate for a donation center, or if it is in poor condition, the dump. The less you have in a room, the easier it is to keep clean and presentable at all times. A great design tip also includes selecting stain-resistant fabric for furniture and even rugs. Mess-ups are inevitable, but fabric that has been pretreated can be a lifesaver. There are also area rugs that have been coated with a chemical finish that prevents stains from settling into the fibers, which means less work for you the next time an unfortunate accident occurs. Another tip is to select design elements that suit your current lifestyle. For instance, if you still have young children at home, don’t purchase a light-colored couch because we all know they are a magnet for stains. These are options that should be saved when the children are older or out of the house.
Our very own hometown talent, nationally recognized photographer Randy McNeilly, has earned multiple prestigious awards for his exceptional artwork—proudly on display in the Greenbrook Design showroom.
Will kitchen islands go out of style? The answer is no. The kitchen island is often the focal point in the kitchen and one of the most sought-after features in a kitchen renovation; in fact, it is one of the most versatile areas in the kitchen. Need a place to do some homework? How about a family dinner or brunch? Looking for a surface where you can spread out when cooking? Some extra storage for large pots and mixers would be nice, too. All of this and more can be accomplished with a kitchen island; some might even call it a mini kitchen within the kitchen. This flexible workstation can be created to reflect any style, accommodate any size, and suit any need. Today, we want to answer some common questions about the kitchen island, explore the benefits, and explain why it will never go out of style.
As the COVID-19 pandemic slowly comes to an end, you may be ready to update your home and make a few changes. Perhaps being stuck inside during lockdowns gave you time to identify areas that needed cleaning, upgrading, or other home improvements. If you want to start rebuilding your house but aren’t sure how to get started, see how these tips can help, brought to you courtesy of Greenbrook Design.
Walker Woodworking When space is limited, it is valuable and greater thought is invested in creating a design that maximizes square footage to provide a functional space for the homeowner. Both manufacturers and designers alike are continuously thinking of new ways to give their clients the things they need, but using less space. One such item is the Murphy bed, yes, the one used in multiple comedy routines, but it has evolved into a stylish piece, yet remains as functional as ever. It is also comparable in price point to a traditional bed. Could the Murphy bed be the solution to your limited space problem? Let’s unpack exactly what it is and how it can help give you additional room in your home.
Walker Woodworking What to do when you don’t have the luxury of square footage? How can you create storage when there is not a lot of room, to begin with? Can you make small spaces work for you? These are good questions that we have helped our clients answer numerous times. While it may present more challenges than a larger home, it is possible to have the necessary storage for you to keep everything you need on hand. Small is not bad; in fact, it comes with multiple benefits, and a good design can help you maximize the space you do have to build a home that is exactly right for you. Let’s talk about some creative storage solutions for small spaces.
Walker Woodworking