The Key Details to Consider for a Home that Functions Beautifully
Don’t design your home without considering these key elements that – crucially – focus on more than just good looks
The design of a home can have a profound effect on how we feel, but often we think this is due to aesthetics. In fact, it’s about so much more. Good design should enhance your experience of a space, and the way it looks is almost the icing on the cake. Follow this guide to discover the key elements to think about in order to achieve a really well-thought-out home.
Be practical
A well-designed home is one that makes things easy for you, so it pays to plan room for those everyday tasks, such as laundry.
Not all of us have space for a separate utility area, but some clever design might enable you to maximise the space you do have. Here, the washing machine and dryer have been stacked and concealed behind a bifold door, making them easy to access when required.
A well-designed home is one that makes things easy for you, so it pays to plan room for those everyday tasks, such as laundry.
Not all of us have space for a separate utility area, but some clever design might enable you to maximise the space you do have. Here, the washing machine and dryer have been stacked and concealed behind a bifold door, making them easy to access when required.
Use up dead space
Do you have an awkward area you don’t know how to utilise? Challenging spaces are often left bare, which can in turn lead them to be filled up with stuff over time. If an unused corner in your home has become messy it might well take away from the enjoyment of the room.
Think about how you can transform the space, as there are some clever ways of putting these awkward areas to good use. In this home, a nook behind a door has been turned into a gorgeous window seat that’s both a super-functional and cosy spot.
Find expert tips on dealing with awkward nooks and sloping ceilings.
Do you have an awkward area you don’t know how to utilise? Challenging spaces are often left bare, which can in turn lead them to be filled up with stuff over time. If an unused corner in your home has become messy it might well take away from the enjoyment of the room.
Think about how you can transform the space, as there are some clever ways of putting these awkward areas to good use. In this home, a nook behind a door has been turned into a gorgeous window seat that’s both a super-functional and cosy spot.
Find expert tips on dealing with awkward nooks and sloping ceilings.
Futureproof it
Make sure your new design doesn’t simply focus on your immediate needs. It’s very easy to put all of your attention into how you want to live right now, especially if you have small children. However, your needs will change over time, so it’s vital that you build some flexibility into the design of your home.
For instance, the opportunity to create a separate living space in an open-plan home might be a good idea as the children get older, as family members might feel the need for a calm room away from the hustle and bustle.
Make sure your new design doesn’t simply focus on your immediate needs. It’s very easy to put all of your attention into how you want to live right now, especially if you have small children. However, your needs will change over time, so it’s vital that you build some flexibility into the design of your home.
For instance, the opportunity to create a separate living space in an open-plan home might be a good idea as the children get older, as family members might feel the need for a calm room away from the hustle and bustle.
Designate storage
‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ really is the mantra for a well-functioning home. When it comes to choosing the right kind of storage, you should let what you need to store dictate the kind of storage you select.
Designated storage is far more efficient and useful than general store cupboards. By having a specific place for each item, you’ll avoid the possibility of everything being thrown in haphazardly. Here, the designers have created a study space with high-level storage in the alcove, plus a recessed unit for the TV with more concealed storage below.
‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ really is the mantra for a well-functioning home. When it comes to choosing the right kind of storage, you should let what you need to store dictate the kind of storage you select.
Designated storage is far more efficient and useful than general store cupboards. By having a specific place for each item, you’ll avoid the possibility of everything being thrown in haphazardly. Here, the designers have created a study space with high-level storage in the alcove, plus a recessed unit for the TV with more concealed storage below.
Plan your lighting
Lighting is one of the most important design aspects of a home, but it’s something many people struggle with. It has such a powerful effect on the ambience of a room that it’s worth taking the time to get it absolutely spot on.
The trick is to get the balance of artificial and natural light right. Too much artificial light will result in a space that feels clinical, but if it’s under lit, everything will appear gloomy and uninviting.
Here, there are a number of light sources: the perimeter lighting feature in the ceiling will give an ambient glow, a mix of floor and table (out of shot) lamps will be sufficient to light the room, and then there are spotlights for the occasions when stronger illumination is needed.
Lighting is one of the most important design aspects of a home, but it’s something many people struggle with. It has such a powerful effect on the ambience of a room that it’s worth taking the time to get it absolutely spot on.
The trick is to get the balance of artificial and natural light right. Too much artificial light will result in a space that feels clinical, but if it’s under lit, everything will appear gloomy and uninviting.
Here, there are a number of light sources: the perimeter lighting feature in the ceiling will give an ambient glow, a mix of floor and table (out of shot) lamps will be sufficient to light the room, and then there are spotlights for the occasions when stronger illumination is needed.
Make rooms work hard
When you’re designing a room, try to see where you can utilise spaces more effectively. Can you give a design feature multiple functions, for example?
In this bathroom, the toilet and basin have been fitted into a wall that conceals the pipework. The designers have created recessed storage in the wall with an open shelf and cabinet. The under-cabinet lighting creates a second source of ambient light, and the result is a sleek and clutter-free bathroom with lots of atmosphere.
Ready to find a professional to renovate your home? Look no further than the Houzz Professionals Directory, where you can see past projects and read client reviews for pros in your area.
When you’re designing a room, try to see where you can utilise spaces more effectively. Can you give a design feature multiple functions, for example?
In this bathroom, the toilet and basin have been fitted into a wall that conceals the pipework. The designers have created recessed storage in the wall with an open shelf and cabinet. The under-cabinet lighting creates a second source of ambient light, and the result is a sleek and clutter-free bathroom with lots of atmosphere.
Ready to find a professional to renovate your home? Look no further than the Houzz Professionals Directory, where you can see past projects and read client reviews for pros in your area.
Pick finishes wisely
Choose finishes that are appropriate for the area in which they’ll be going. Tiles in a kitchen are by far the most practical choice for flooring and will look good long after the job is finished.
Spend time researching the finishes for your home and ask about upkeep and suitability for the space where you’re planning to use them. Even if you love the look of an item – such as a velvet sofa – it’s important to think about whether it’s a practical choice for your room.
Choose finishes that are appropriate for the area in which they’ll be going. Tiles in a kitchen are by far the most practical choice for flooring and will look good long after the job is finished.
Spend time researching the finishes for your home and ask about upkeep and suitability for the space where you’re planning to use them. Even if you love the look of an item – such as a velvet sofa – it’s important to think about whether it’s a practical choice for your room.
Layer with colour
Your choice of colour isn’t just important for how it looks, it will also have a big impact on how you feel in the space. Get it wrong and the colour will shout at you every time you enter the room; get it right and you won’t even notice the colour, you’ll just love spending time in the space.
A good tip is to layer your colour palette. Start with a ‘neutral’ backdrop and build on colour carefully by adding bolder shades through accessories and art.
However, neutral doesn’t mean painting your walls a bland shade. You can create a neutral version of practically any colour by going either very light or very dark. Think greys, caramels and sandy tones, all of which work in any version from light to dark as a neutral backdrop that you can combine with any other accent colour. Here, sandy greys are brought to life with yellow accents.
Your choice of colour isn’t just important for how it looks, it will also have a big impact on how you feel in the space. Get it wrong and the colour will shout at you every time you enter the room; get it right and you won’t even notice the colour, you’ll just love spending time in the space.
A good tip is to layer your colour palette. Start with a ‘neutral’ backdrop and build on colour carefully by adding bolder shades through accessories and art.
However, neutral doesn’t mean painting your walls a bland shade. You can create a neutral version of practically any colour by going either very light or very dark. Think greys, caramels and sandy tones, all of which work in any version from light to dark as a neutral backdrop that you can combine with any other accent colour. Here, sandy greys are brought to life with yellow accents.
Do let your personality shine
Most importantly, your home should reflect the personality of those who live in it. Choose design elements you love and that help you feel healthy and happy. Here, colour and wallpaper have been used to create a fun space in a child’s room.
Tell us…
What do you think of these design ideas that are about more than just aesthetics? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Most importantly, your home should reflect the personality of those who live in it. Choose design elements you love and that help you feel healthy and happy. Here, colour and wallpaper have been used to create a fun space in a child’s room.
Tell us…
What do you think of these design ideas that are about more than just aesthetics? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
The starting point for any kind of change in your home should be the layout and the way the space functions. Spend time looking at how you use your home and the way in which you move around the space. Try to establish what is and isn’t working in order to build up a clear picture of what you need to change.
If the space doesn’t work well and you’re finding it difficult to move around or use the space comfortably, no amount of interior decoration is going to make an improvement. It could be a matter of knocking down a wall between a kitchen and a next-door dining room or stealing space from one bedroom to create an en suite.
Discover the key elements for a great living room layout.