Design Notes
We have all witnessed the transformation this past year, bedrooms become offices, kitchen tables become classrooms, and your basement doubles as a home gym. The problem is that most of these spaces were not ready to accommodate double duty. Multifunctional means one area of the home can handle multiple duties, while this sounds great, no one wants it to look like it’s a three-in-one, which is where good design comes into play. Selecting furniture pieces that can serve several purposes or planning a layout that can fulfill multiple needs is key to creating a home that suits your family’s unique lifestyle and routine. Let’s discuss what goes into designing these spaces and how you can make the most of the space you have.
Planning For Multifunctional Spaces
Everything begins with planning. A good plan can help you accomplish your goals while avoiding unnecessary delays or problems. We recommend that you take the time to write down your needs for each space. Will you spend a lot of time here? How many people will need to use this space at the same time? What needs to be accomplished in this space? Also, consider pairing things that naturally go together, such as an office space and study area, or a kitchen and dining room. By placing areas that have a similar purpose together, it makes it easier to design. Spend some time browsing Pinterest boards and reading blogs to get inspired and find what would work best for you.
Furniture For Multifunctional Spaces
Selecting the right pieces of furniture for your home is important, as they can help you maximize the space in each room. There are so many options available, now with more being continually added as manufacturers see the need. Here are some helpful tips when browsing potential options:
- Utilize wall space: Sometimes, the best solution is to go up, utilizing cabinets, built-ins, or shelves. Each of these options allows you to gain valuable storage space by going up instead of out, leaving room for other items you may need. Adding boxes and containers to these spaces will help you maximize these pieces even more and keep everything nicely organized.
- Unified pieces: One thing that is helpful is if many of the furniture pieces have a common thread, such as color or texture. This helps to keep a room together in style while allowing it to serve multiple functions within the area.
- Versatile pieces: We normally like to pick our furniture pieces based on our personal preferences, such as color and style, but storage should be factored in when trying to maximize usable space. There are many pieces now that are designed to double as storage, such as a bed with drawers built underneath or a coffee table. What about a couch that doubles as a fold-out bed for guests? Some even transform into an additional piece of furniture, such as a table that folds down into a bench. Don’t forget about that ottoman with the hollow inside that can be used for storage, too.
- Think outside the box: Just because something has been used for one thing doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. Furniture is continually adapting, so when you see a piece you like, don’t just stick with what it is, but let your creativity flow, and you never know what can happen.
Most manufacturers have boarded the multifunctional train, meaning there are ample choices available to you, and many have even done the work to show you the multiple jobs their pieces can fulfill, so be sure to spend time browsing through different vendors.
Layout For Multifunctional Spaces
When planning a space to serve a variety of purposes, layout can have a big impact on the functionality. The flow of a room influences the use so it is important to be strategic in placing your furniture. When creating multiple spaces in a room, keep these things in mind.
- Boundaries: By setting boundaries within a space, it can help define the multiple areas and maintain a visually appealing space. Some simple ways to do this are by placing a rug or even assembling furniture that shares similar characteristics.
- Open concept: While it is important to make boundaries, an open concept makes the room flow easier, giving the area a nice, easy feel. This works well for main spaces in the home, such as the kitchen and living room.
Layout is a great tool when designing multifunctional spaces, but thoughtful planning must be paired with it. Talk to your designer when looking to start a project, making sure to make your needs known for each space.
Walker Woodworking There are some that have remained constant, while others have had their brief moment to shine, but does color really matter? Is there a reason behind the colors we choose, and can they really have an influence on the home? The answer is yes, color is one of the most powerful design tools, which is why designers are taught color psychology in school. To better help you understand its importance, we thought it would be helpful to share some of this information with you.
Kitchen layouts are a critical part of the design process because they can help you maximize the use of your space. There are certain layouts that are better suited to a particular home, such as an apartment or a large open area, making it essential to understand the function and benefits of each. Selecting the right kitchen layout for your new home is crucial, as it is one of the most frequently used rooms in the house and must be tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle. Let’s discuss what each layout is, which one works best for different home designs, and the benefits it can provide.
Greenbrook Design Window treatments are often the last element considered when decorating a house, but they play a crucial part in the overall look of the home. They are often considered the finishing touch to any space and can influence the feel as well. The fabric choice, the style, and even the function can bring several benefits to your home. Window treatments offer protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, shading you and your furniture from fading, while also lowering your electricity bill. Selecting a fabric that complements your particular design style or creates a beautiful statement in your home can make all the difference in any room. Window treatments also serve a functional purpose, as they can block the sun’s glare and provide you and your family with privacy.
Walker Woodworking Home trends and styles change every year as designers track the elements that seem to be gaining popularity and why. While it is not recommended to follow the latest trend simply because it seems like the ideal choice, there are reasons why some trends become popular, eventually becoming a staple in design. 2022 brought several trends in home decor, some of which have been around for a while but are now gaining traction for good reasons. Let’s explore some of the top options on the list so you can understand the benefits they offer and determine if they are a good fit for your home.
Walker Woodworking We know that at the end of the day, it is the details that make a space feel like home. The functional kitchen space is great, and the multipurpose bathroom vanity is a must, but the little things enable every area to reflect you and your personality. There are literally hundreds of ways to utilize accent pieces throughout your home, but one that has been trending for some time is the use of plants, both in your indoor and outdoor spaces. Traditionally, when we think of plants, our minds think of real but faux greenery, and florals have also become popular. Dried is another option that has found its way into the design world.
Walker Woodworking
Greenbrook Design