Design Notes
Did you know that the atmosphere in your home has a direct tie to your health and well-being? The home creates an atmosphere, but if your kitchen layout drives you crazy, hindering you from getting the meal done, or your office is so dysfunctional you can’t be productive, your wellness will be thrown off. All of the elements in your home play a part in your health, and a good design can help you feel better.
At Greenbrook Design, we specialize in taking the dysfunctional to the functional level. Your home is meant to be a place of rest, where you can look forward to coming home and just unwinding. Today, we want to share a few of our best tips that will help you receive the wellness you and your family need.
Purposeful Design
Each room in the home has a function, a reason why it is there, but it must be brought out through the design and specified to your family. If you don’t design the room for yourself, it can result in frustration as you attempt to do your normal routines but are hindered by the lack of function in the space. This leads to a negative attitude and a fear of even entering the dysfunctional area. It is always best to take the time to sit down and mentally go through what you need to accomplish in each area of the home before meeting with your designer. Here are a few things to consider:
- How many people? If there is more than one person in an area, certain things need to be considered, such as sufficient space for movement. Irritation from constantly bumping into the other person creates a bad atmosphere and mood.
- What time of day? Will you use this space predominantly at night or during the day? Rather, during the day or night, you may need to have some additional thought given to lighting as well as window treatments.
- Is this a multifunctional space? Does your kitchen also double as the kids’ homework station? Consider including a large island where they can spread out without getting in the way of meal prep.
Planning is key to the design, but you need to know what is important first. Time spent going through your needs is never a waste.
Helpful Elements
Certain design elements can help create a relaxing atmosphere in the home, and by including them, you can create a space to unwind and look forward to coming home. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Natural light: Light influences our moods, and natural light is a must in many areas of the home, including the main living areas such as the kitchen and family room.
- Fitness: Exercise is more than just staying fit; it also allows us to relieve stress from a weary day at the office. Consider including an area with some fitness equipment.
- Comfort: We all need cozy areas in the home that have some of our favorite things, such as a reading nook, a place to watch our favorite sports game, or even a little area where we can put our feet up and rest.
We all need a little help to get back to our center, to clear our minds, and to leave the day’s business behind. This is an important part of creating the perfect home environment for the whole family. Read a few more things that are helpful to include in your home design from the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
Outdoor Spaces
Fresh air is sometimes just what we need to escape from the day’s events. Having an outdoor space gives your family a comfortable, refreshing place to gather and spend time doing something fun together.
- Outdoor kitchens are perfect for changing up the routine by having dinner outside.
- Having a back deck means you can sit around a table and talk about what everyone did, or maybe play a game or two.
- A play area allows the kids to burn some energy out in the fresh air, which means they will probably go to bed early.
Talk to your designer about adding an outdoor area so you and your family can have places both inside and outside to go and relax. We can also be your source for outdoor lighting and furniture. See outdoor spaces that the whole family enjoyed.
Greenbrook DesignHomes are a collection of things we love, and sometimes those things can come from places outside the traditional sources, such as your typical home furnishings stores. Increasingly, designers and homeowners alike are discovering the benefits of antique stores. These places, often thought of as the last stop for items no one else wanted, have become a popular shopping stop for those who want to have something unique in their home and enjoy the thrill of “treasure hunting”. More and more design styles are also embracing vintage finds, seeking to blend them together to create something special, such as the grand millennial and mid-century modern styles. Millennials are also enjoying the freedom to branch out in their design choices, creating a home that is customized to their own personality. Antique shopping can be a wonderful way to uncover those special touches that can make all the difference in your home, so let’s explore how to get started and what to do with all of the treasures you find.
Walker WoodworkingMore designers and contractors are incorporating this secondary space into the kitchen to gain square footage and have an area that works as an extension of the kitchen. Let’s dive deeper into what a butler pantry is and what the benefits are for you.
Walker WoodworkingThis is why we have created multiple door profile styles so that each of our clients can find the one that perfectly tells their story to everyone. At times, they are not able to pinpoint one that speaks to them, which is why we offer custom door styles as well. Several of our clients have opted for mullion cabinet doors, which always add a beautiful touch to their space.
Greenbrook DesignRecycling old styles with a modern twist is a phenomenal way to honor the past while creating the future. Nostalgia is a valuable part of the creative process, especially in designing homes, our little personal factory of memories. So, don’t be afraid to try out some of these forgotten interior design styles that are making a comeback. It’s nice to freshen up your whole concept and take a little walk through a time capsule. Let your creativity fly in the limbo of styles, and wonder what else will be new soon.
Walker WoodworkingWe all have an idea of what our dream home would look like, after all, that is what places like Houzz and Pinterest are for, right? You wish you could have those little personalized spaces and upscale feel in your home that makes it stand out from the ordinary. Sometimes we believe that the home we envision is far too luxurious for our budget, but that is not true. But with a little creative thinking, anything is possible! There are many ways to stretch a budget through good planning and a few helpful tricks that can give you the luxury you desire without breaking the bank. Let’s explore the various ways to achieve designing a luxury home on a budget and bring your dreams to life.
Walker Woodworking 
Metropolitan Woodworks Inc