Your home needs to show your style but make the process of everyday living more convenient. Home design involves creating a balance between the two elements. For example, where do you put the furniture in your living room? And where do you put your car keys? This guide provides a practical approach to designing your personal home.
How do you balance personal style with everyday function?
Begin by determining what each space is supposed to be used for, and pick out the colors, furniture, and other elements that would help achieve that function. In other words, consider how to apply style in the context of the functionality of your home. The reading chair requires both a comfortable fabric and proximity to the sources of light.
Devote several days to identifying problems in your current design that could be solved by a little change. Do you have a pile of bags next to the door? Is it necessary to move a dining chair each time the cabinet door is opened? List all issues in advance of looking at interior design pictures.
Determine one function for each room and figure out if there is an auxiliary function to be served by the same room. The living room may serve as the space for discussions and doing homework at a little desk in it.
Build a visual direction around what you love
Select some objects that you own and wish to retain, such as a patterned rug, old cabinet, print, or sofa. Do not try to re-create a whole room from a photograph; take inspiration from the objects you choose. This will give your design a personal touch as well as a way to test future purchases.
Prepare a small design board using colors, textures, and silhouettes of furniture. With each new item added, see if it connects back to any other item on the board. Matching furniture is not essential, but the connection should be evident.
Some of the connections to explore could be:
- Traditional furniture with minimal upholstery: Enjoy the carved wood without introducing another pattern.
- Neutral color scheme with personal art: Allow your artwork to bring in the most color.
- Clean silhouettes with textured accessories: Experiment with woven baskets and ceramics before selecting furniture.
Plan movement before buying furniture
Draw the room and document its size, doors, windows, and other fixtures. Use painter’s tape to indicate the placement of furniture prior to buying. Then imagine going through that process doing ordinary things like bringing up laundry or setting up a table for a meal.
Don’t limit yourself to testing just the major path. Test that the drawers will be accessible, that chairs can be pulled out, that someone can pass when someone else is sitting down. The layout should work even when the room is filled, not when everything is neatly tucked away.
For those planning a custom build in Pennsylvania, think about how your family life dictates what layout needs to be done. A custom home designer in PA will take these considerations into account in helping you develop a plan that maximizes the available space. Show them what happens when you unload your groceries, muddy your shoes, or just need a quiet place.
Choose materials and storage for your routines
Consider how much you want to maintain before choosing finishes. You should ask about maintenance, look at sample finishes, and consider how you would clean up any stains and scratches. Plan based on reality, and not on how you wish you lived.
In order to plan your entryway in a Pennsylvania home, think about adding room for boots, coats, and other wet-weather gear to your plan if you need that. Many places there experience a lot of rain, snow, and road salt, making a good entryway very useful. Think about having a place to sit, somewhere to hang things like coats, and somewhere for wet footwear. Think about this as being part of your plan rather than leftover space.
Make sure your storage matches what you will be storing:
- Necessities: Store keys, chargers, and bags near where you use and put them down.
- Display items: Leave certain shelves for display only.
- Bulky items: Measure any large items before planning your cabinets.
- Commonly used items: Decide on locations that are easy to remember.
Make lighting part of the layout
Design lighting with respect to functions rather than just the focal point of the ceiling. According to the lighting guidelines of the General Services Administration, task lighting is lighting pointed toward a specific surface or function. Use this knowledge while considering installing a reading lamp, desk light, or kitchen workspace.
When deciding to install any decor lighting fixture, try spending one evening in the room as you usually do, and observe the places where you may need additional lighting or where the current lamp is causing any discomfort. First, try moving your lamps and learn from this.
Which DIY home projects are worth starting with?
Begin with smaller, easily reversible DIY projects at home that solve an inconvenience and allow you to experiment with your tastes. For example, moving furniture around, organizing a drawer, replacing cushion covers, or creating some free-standing storage systems will enable you to test out your style without undertaking major changes. Take up one project at a time and see it through completion before taking on the next one.
If your project includes painting or remodeling, remember to consider the impact of your work on indoor air quality when preparing for it. The EPA’s remodeling guidance suggests containment of dust and ventilation, as well as noting the need for special handling of lead-based paint. Consult the appropriate guidance prior to surface preparation rather than assuming all cosmetic projects are easy.
Establish an overall budget including materials, tools, and cleanup. If your project involves working with electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural issues, get assistance from a professional.
Let the finished space evolve
Live with your new style of living first before decorating all the nooks and crannies. Be aware of which items work well, which do not fit comfortably and which ones retain your personality. Make those which can accommodate your lifestyle and taste but adjust the others gradually until you create a living space that you love to be in.
