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.
Walker Woodworking Too much clutter can detract from your home’s wellness and leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and even depressed if it sticks around long enough. It can also make it difficult to concentrate, which can affect the entire family. It’s important to set about decluttering in an eco-friendly way to ensure that you aren’t throwing out things that could be put to good use elsewhere. With so many landfills already overflowing, it’s imperative for us all to do our part and keep recycling.
Keep reading for some great tips from Greenbook Design on how to declutter your home in an eco-friendly way.
Greenbrook DesignWarmer weather is just around the corner, meaning we can finally spend more time outside doing what we love, like grilling, swimming, and sitting around fire pits. One thing that all of these have in common is that they can be done in your own backyard. Outdoor spaces are trending this year and for good reason, since they provide a change of scenery for homeowners without having to drive somewhere, plus they add more usable space to your home. Enjoy fresh air, cool summer nights, and time with family all within the safety of your own home. Here are a few reasons and benefits to adding or upgrading your outdoor space.
Greenbrook DesignColor. It is what gives our world variety and speaks a language all its own. It is a versatile element that is used in various professions such as art, entertainment, and even cooking. Interior designers thrive on color to express their client’s personality and tell their story. Color is also the common thread that ties other elements, like texture and pattern. Woven together, they create a sense of unity and influence the mood. It is fairly common knowledge that each color implies a mood, such as blue is calm, green represents growth, and yellow expresses happiness. The colors you select for your home can have an effect on the atmosphere, and more and more homeowners are looking to add a little comfort with color.
Walker WoodworkingThe kitchen sink is probably one of the most important elements in the kitchen, since it’s where we wash dishes, rinse food, and wash our hands. There are so many options, such as stainless steel, porcelain, and ceramic. Then, of course, there are multiple styles and sizes. At Greenbrook, we are always looking for new items that will meet a need for our clients, and sinks definitely are one of them, which is why we are an authorized dealer for the Karran Sinks.
Walker Woodworking Old meets new to create a blend of something beautiful, which is one way to summarize grand millennial style. While minimalism is still a popular trend, many millennials are finding comfort and freedom of expression from their beloved family heritage. Grand millennial is a combination of the new with things of the past, like that old wingback chair from grandma’s attic, and breathing new life into it through reupholstering it. This style also pairs perfectly with many people’s desire to recycle and reduce waste by repurposing existing materials. Let’s unpack this style a little more and find out if it is right for you.
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking