Style and function are often treated as polar opposites of each other especially by first time home owners who are hoping to achieve aesthetic perfection. They consider one side as the ambassador of beauty and the other a beacon of comfort and practicality.
What if that wasn’t the case? What if both of these could exist together at the same time within a space. Ideally, a space should look appealing to the eye and also serve a vital purpose. It’s definitely achievable. The first step is to accept the fact that aesthetics can be mastered along with functionality.
The Psychology of a Space
What is the essence of design? Where does it all begin? What if we told you design isn’t achieved through furniture or paint but with atmosphere. You must create a vibe for everything to tie together perfectly.
The psychology of color, texture, and light is often overlooked. What if we told you these play the biggest role in setting the base for every room. If you utilize warm tones like terracotta or mustard you can achieve intimacy in social spaces. On the other hand, muted greens or soft blues calm the mind and are ideal for bedrooms or offices.
A reliable painting company can listen to your vision and help you achieve it by guiding you to a color. However the vision must originate within you, and that can only happen when you know what you like.
Textures matter just as much as color. Take the example of a sofa. If it is upholstered in luxurious fabric it might look great but without comfortable material, it isn’t going to invite anyone to sit on it. The goal is to link visual appeal with comfort and choose materials that can withstand changing trends but also be usable.
Lighting adds the cherry on top. Overhead fixtures might feel too bright and forced but if they are fitted in lamps and sconces, the same blinding lights can turn into soft and relaxing accent pieces.
Furniture That Solves a Problem
Stylish homes have statement pieces, but a truly functional home also makes those pieces work to solve a problem. For instance, imagine an entryway with a bench upholstered in rich fabric. This is great for decoration, but it doesn’t really serve a purpose.
Now take the same bench and add hidden drawers for shoes and bags. That’s how you make a stylish piece functional. It saves you so much time in the morning! Wall mounted shelves are another great example. They look nice and they save up so much space for you if you have a smaller bedroom.
Functional design choices don’t have to be so loud and in-your-face. They can also be toned down and merged with aesthetics.
Designing for Your Lifestyle
Trends are surely important, but they come and go, and we believe every home should tell a unique story of its own. The design should reflect the story of the person who lived in the home.
If you are a natural entertainer you might love open layouts that encourage conversation. On the other hand if you are a remote worker you might gravitate towards a quiet and cozy atmosphere with rugs, curtains, and bookshelves as well as comfortable work zones.
Families with children have different sets of priorities. They need safety and order. This can be introduced to the home through rounded coffee tables. Sofas can be saved from spills through washable slipcovers. Similarly, ottomans can have hidden storage that accommodates toys. That’s exactly how functionality can support the routine of the homeowner.
Small Gestures, Huge Impacts
Grand gestures look great but mostly it is the subtle design choices that take a home to the next level. If you want more natural light in your home but don’t want to add a lot of windows, you can use mirrors placed in a manner that allows them to reflect light. It suddenly begins to look like you have a lot more space than before.
Consider placing a stylistic touch right at the spots you touch the most throughout the day. Have you guessed what they are yet? We’ll give you a minute…
Well, its doorknobs, handles, and cabinet knobs of course! These are things you access dozens of times during the day. Adding a matte black finish to them heightens their attractiveness.
The kind of material you use can also play a huge role in the usability and adaptability of a piece. Leather or wood age beautifully compared to other materials and support sustainability as they are the chosen few that support the idea of wear and tear being a sign of beauty.
Final Tips for Designing a Home That Lasts
Here are a few additional tips you can keep in mind when attempting to design a home that is both functional and stylish;
- Edit ruthlessly as your unique style is often going to come from what you don’t include. You might have set up a room that looks great at first glance. When going over it a second time you might notice it’s trying too hard to be many different things at once!
- Invest only when and where it counts. Your sofas, mattresses, and dining chairs are where your body will spend most of its time so they should be durable and comfortable. Trendy accent pieces can wait.
- Think seasonally and create a home that adapts. Light linen curtains in the summer can be replaced with heavy linen ones put in store rooms for when winter creeps in.
- Design for the future and avoid keeping the interior static. Ask yourself how the space will serve you in the next five to ten years and create a blueprint accordingly when designing your home.
- Go for experts who build custom homes professionally. The insights they can give you are irreplaceable!
To Sum It Up
Don’t sacrifice your comfort in exchange for trends. You can make your home look beautiful and still maintain the functionality your family needs. Consider style psychology and opt for a design that works for you in the long run!
Years from now, the most stylish home is going to be one you love living in!
