LIFE, STYLED
To some, “interior design” merely implies good decor taste, but there is so much more meaning and intent behind these words. It goes beyond knowing what fabric goes best for window treatments in a bedroom or which color is the better choice for a particular room. The purpose of interior design is to create a space that doesn’t just look pretty but is functional for your lifestyle while representing what matters to you, what makes you feel like you are truly 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 main goals accomplished with a good interior design plan. Utilizing interior design has many benefits for the homeowner. Let’s explore four of them and how they can improve your daily life.
Problems solved
An essential part of interior design is using design elements to solve everyday problems when there has been no thought given to the flow and function inside the home. Are you struggling with where to store things that you need access to regularly? Interior design can help you solve this by creating areas within reach that provide storage while keeping the house looking nice, such as an ottoman that allows you to store blankets inside. Wondering how to make a room look bigger? Several interior design tricks can create the illusion of more space. For example, if you have low ceilings, consider using furniture 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, which is normal, but that does not mean they must remain a problem. A new rug can hide 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 increase it, making it feel brighter. Even though a studio apartment is often one ample space, you can create a multifunctional space for several activities through furniture placement. 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 because it causes you to think about the purpose of each space. To enjoy a space there needs to be certain elements that form 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 room 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 real and can help you relish coming home everyday.
Will grow with you
Our home is meant to be adaptable for all states in life. It should be suitable for the kids but able to age in place for you down the road. Interior design can assist you in choosing decor pieces and layouts that you need for everyone without compromising the beauty of your style. When it comes to designing a kid-friendly home environment, there are a few things to keep in mind. Furniture is one of the larger items on the list. Since there will be many accidents and adventures inside the four walls of your home, it’s recommended to opt for durable and practical pieces. Color is something that should be encouraged when having young children as well since it affects the overall mood of the home and adds a spark of fun; plus, 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 that has fewer transitions and rugs that are slip-resistant. Plenty of lighting is another thing to incorporate into home areas that are used often, such as the bathroom, kitchen, and living room. Good interior design choices can result in a home that easily adjusts to you.
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 because a small stash of clutter will soon lead to more which leaves 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. Messes 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 would be to select design elements that are suited for your current lifestyle. For instance, if you still have young children at home don’t purchase a light colored couch because we all know that they are a magnet for stains. These are options that should be saved when the children are older or out of the house.
The right light can do much more than just illuminate a room. It can create a more inviting atmosphere in the room and give the illusion of a larger space. When selecting lighting for your home, there are multiple factors to keep in mind, such as size, amount, and placement. Since it is an essential part of designing an area, we thought it would be helpful to share five key considerations when selecting your lighting.
Walker WoodworkingOne of the main questions asked during the design meeting is what color the owners want for their kitchen cabinets. Were they looking to do a natural wood or a color instead? While many will opt to do the wood, many enjoy adding a splash of color to their kitchen or mixing and matching. It is a great way to break up the area and create a focal point, but with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you? While it is up to you in the end, there are three colors that have stood out for some time and will most likely continue to do so. White, gray, and blue remain high on the selection chart, so let’s talk about these popular colors and why they may be the right fit for you.
Walker WoodworkingWhile the kitchen was often viewed as the place where food was merely prepped and served, it has transitioned into a command center as people gather to talk or enjoy a snack while getting some work done. Layouts have slowly shifted to accommodate this change, which has produced the open concept. This floor plan allows families to stay connected even when they are doing things in different areas of the home. While not as popular as it was in the 1990s and early 2000s, many families still choose this floor plan because of their desire to stay close to their family and guests. Today, we want to discuss the open floor concept, the elements that make it up, and if it is the right fit for your family.
Greenbrook DesignYou have just waved goodbye to your last child as they head out to college. While you adjust to not having kids in the house, you also begin to realize that you now have more space, but you’re not sure what to do with it. There are many ways to reuse the space, expand existing spaces, or make room for something new. Let’s take a look at the design possibilities available to you.
In the second of our three-part series on selection tips, we want to focus on tile. Backsplash, shower walls, and flooring are just a few of the many uses for tile since it is beautiful, durable, and timeless. Sometimes considered a small part of the design, it has the potential to make a big impact on the design. Here are some helpful tips when choosing tile.
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking