Design Notes
Cleanliness, functionality, and ease-of-use are the top three focus areas in the home now that many people are using their home as a workspace. Often, a prolonged time at home reveals the design flaws present. Perhaps you are one of those in need of a home that suits your current lifestyle. Some of the ways that homeowners are accomplishing this are:
- Countertops that are germ-free
- Reducing clutter by creating a better space
- Cabinets that have an anti-germ surface
Our top priority is helping our clients achieve a space that is suited to their needs and unique lifestyles. Here are three ways we strive to do this and help you create a safe and well-thought-out space for you and your family.
Cleanliness
In light of our current situation (COVID-19), cleanliness is a top priority in the home. The safety of our family is important to us, but other benefits come from building good cleaning habits:
- Higher productivity: Nothing will zap your motivation like a messy area. When things are in disarray, piles of clothes and paper are everywhere, and you can’t find anything, it can be difficult to get anything done. A clean workspace or room can help give you that little boost you need.
- Minimized stress: We live in a very fast-paced environment that often comes with a side of stress. When your home feels cluttered and messy, it can negatively affect your body and mind. When your home is organized, it gives you peace of mind that everything is in order.
- Healthier choices: The environment in our home can influence our choices. We tend to gravitate toward unhealthy stuff like junk food when things are dysfunctional. This means, however, that a cleaner home can help us subconsciously make better choices.
With the home expanding to include the office and school zone, it is important to keep everyone feeling safe, especially from germs, as much as possible. Several of our products come with germ-free benefits, such as the antimicrobial textured laminate cabinets from Cabico, of which we are an authorized dealer. Quartz countertops are also less likely to retain germs because of their non-porous material. Talk to your designer about other options available to ensure your family stays safe in your home.
Functionality
Your home is more than just your dwelling place. It is where you make dinner for your family, manage your finances, help your children with their homework, and entertain guests. The home serves multiple purposes, and the flow and function of your space should reflect that need. A functional home also has the potential to increase resale value. Some things to keep in mind when designing a new home or remodeling your current residence:
- Placement of rooms: It is important to keep areas that are separate but complement each other. For example, the dining room should be near the kitchen, and the bedrooms should be near the bathrooms.
- Visualize your daily routines: How do you start your day? With a cup of coffee while scanning the headlines? Maybe you should consider having your kitchen and breakfast area facing east to allow for soft morning light. Perhaps you have little time in the morning to get everything out the door. Adding a mudroom with individual cubbies allows you to prepare the night before and saves you time and frustration.
- The little things: Because they are small, they are easy to overlook, but that doesn’t mean they are unimportant. Light switch placement. Put it where your hand naturally goes and at a good height for everyone to reach. There is legroom in areas such as the breakfast bar and bathroom vanity. Zero-step entry into your home also makes it easier to enter and exit, especially when carrying several things.
By visualizing what you want to accomplish in each area of the home, you can formulate a plan to ensure things are where they need to be, resulting in less stress and more time with your family.
Ease-Of-Use
Another term to describe this would be universal design, meaning the home works well for various ages and physical needs. Here are a few examples of what we mean:
- Comfort-height countertops: Whether you are prepping for a meal or just grabbing a snack, your countertop should not limit or create a problem due to height. It should be at a comfortable height for all, including the kids and grandparents. The standard height is 36 inches, but you can also include an area that is 30 inches to accommodate those who need to sit while they work.
- Hardware placement: Hardware is a beautiful accent to cabinets, but its placement is important. Before finalizing its placement, consider who will need to access it.
- Pullout shelves: There is nothing more frustrating than trying to get something out of the cabinet and being unable to find it. Pullout shelves solve that problem and can be used in multiple areas of the home, including the pantry, bathroom, and closets.
Your home should be the one place where you can relax and be yourself. By making a few adjustments that match your lifestyle, you will find that home truly is a great place to be. Read a little more here.
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