Design Notes
Life is busy. We spend much of our time working, running errands, and making sure our family has what they need to get through another week. At the end of another busy day, having a home where you can have your own personal space and a little privacy to regain your center is important. Our home is more than just four walls and a door. It is the place where we can withdraw in safety and just relax. Within our homes, there are various areas that serve specific functions, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room, while others fall into a different category: living spaces. Living spaces can be defined as a place where you relax and or gather with family and friends. Sunrooms, living rooms, and even outdoor areas all fall into this category. Sometimes these spaces can use a little rejuvenating and revamping so that they can better serve your specific needs.
Home Decor
It is often the little things that can have a dramatic impact on our spaces, while also adding a touch of fun and function to our lives. Home decor adds personality and purpose to your space as it turns the mundane into marvelous through beauty. This is also a simple way to refresh your spaces without breaking the bank or undertaking a massive renovation. Some ideas for rejuvenating your living spaces include:
- Swap out small furniture pieces.
- Wall art
- Backsplash
- Area rugs
- Accent pieces
Take a moment to evaluate your current home inventory and consider items that are not functional or simply need to be updated. A simple swapping out of a coffee table or even a lamp can do wonders for a space. Select pieces that reflect your personality or make you smile, as this helps create an atmosphere that makes it easier to relax and be yourself. Accent items are another way to sprinkle a little of what matters throughout those spaces intended for our family’s enjoyment. Our home is a place of celebration as well, so having areas where we can gather with ease can make a big difference. Placing extra seating that allows family and friends to sit facing each other or in closer proximity can also help us feel connected. Being mindful of your living spaces and the difference it can make in your home is a great start to creating a little haven for everyone.
Coloring Your Living Spaces
Color is one of the most powerful tools in the design world, as it can impact the mood in the home along with the overall feel. There are countless ways to add color to your home, such as:
- Painting the walls
- Tile
- Furniture
- Art
- Decor items
If you are looking to rejuvenate your living spaces, consider the purpose of each room before selecting a color scheme, as it will have a significant influence on it. There are two sets of color tones: warm and cool, each with a specific purpose. Warm tones, such as red, yellow, and orange, tend to be more stimulating, making them good choices for areas in the home where you gather with family, like game rooms or family dining spaces. Cool tones like blue and green are often perceived as calming, as they typically reflect nature and are ideal for areas of rest, such as a sunroom or living room. Once you have decided on the colors you want for the room, the fun really begins as you select different items to decorate that particular area. From furniture pieces that make an excellent focal point to color highlights like art and even throw blankets, adding a splash of color throughout can transform any space into a place of rest and comfort.
Plan For Comfort In The Home
Making your home feel casual and comfy is a great way to rejuvenate your space. Knowing that there are areas where you can truly destress is great, but the design selection plays a crucial role in this. Comfort should be a top priority in your living spaces, and there are numerous ways to achieve this goal. In your living area, plan for comfort by having soft throw blankets nearby, a candle for the colder months, and sufficient lighting. Game rooms should have plenty of comfortable seating with varying heights and wbe ithin close proximity to each other, making it easy for people of every age to gather together and play. A sunroom should also have a seating area, plus some type of screen to shield you from the glare but still allow the warmth of the sun inside. This is also a great place to incorporate plants, as they are beneficial to the environment, and they yield additional benefits for your health and well-being. Consider placing a few faux plants around the other living spaces in your home, as the calm colors of nature are soothing to the eyes and mind, which can help relieve tension and stress. A home of comfort is one where we can take off our shoes and just relax.
Popular Home Items
There are several items that are trending in the home, things that can help rejuvenate your living spaces in style. Texture is one element that instantly creates balance and makes a space feel visually interesting. Blankets, pillows, and even area rugs can add texture and depth to a room through the layering process. As storage is a constant need throughout the home, designers are getting creative in how they can maximize space with style. Large baskets (another texture asset) and colorful bins can be placed within an area, providing storage and still blending in. Unique items are also popular, as homeowners seek ways to showcase their personality and style in their own homes. If your spaces don’t reflect who you are, it may be time to rejuvenate them so that your home truly becomes what it was meant to be for each person, a place of comfort and joy. Don’t forget the outdoor spaces; they are still one area that continues to gain popularity as we enjoy spending time in nature. Take a moment to browse sites like Houzz and Pinterest to see what other items are trending and how they are being used in homes. You might find the inspiration you’ve been looking for in your space.
Greenbrook DesignMaking the decision to open our own showroom was not done overnight. It began as the answer to a need for our clients. They needed a place where they could come and explore the possibilities that awaited them for their home renovation. It was important to our owners, Travis and Stacey Walker, that their clients could see and feel the products, enhancing their design experience. As the idea became a reality, the Walkers realized the added benefit of having more than just cabinets featured in the showroom. Greenbrook Design is proud to be an authorized dealer for not just four lines of cabinetry but multiple home furnishings and decor companies like Europe 2 You and Moe’s. Get a peek inside the showroom here and listen to Stacey share her vision of the showroom.
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.
Walker WoodworkingDesign is more than just creating a layout that is functional and beautiful; it is about turning a house into a home that has an atmosphere just right for you. A functional home is good, but a home where you feel at home is best, which is the end goal for every designer. One way to have a welcoming environment is to draw inspiration from nature, which is a trend that is gaining momentum in the design world.
Walker Woodworking When you think of a closet, you envision a space within a room that opens with a door. For some, it means enough room to hang up clothes or store larger items. It has, however, evolved to become much more than a mere stash and go-to spot for necessities. From hall closets to pantries to linen and bedroom closets, they serve multiple purposes. Today, it can be a mini dressing room, a place to keep all the kids’ sports equipment, and even a place of meditation ( really, it’s a thing). It is a great way to gain extra storage in the bedroom for personal items and is considered an extension of the home.
Walker Woodworking Are you feeling like something needs to change inside your home? Tired of the same old decor pieces greeting you when you come home? Maybe your taste in style has changed, and you’re looking for a little update? The good news is you don’t have to do a full-blown renovation to achieve your goal; sometimes, it takes a little freshening up to update your home.
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking