When designing a home, it can be hard to choose between aesthetics and practicality, however, you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice one for the other.
The key to designing a functional, yet beautiful, home is mindful planning and making smart choices. This blog post will cover how to make smart and functional choices, whilst not sacrificing on aesthetics, in all areas of the home, from living spaces to home offices.
Balancing Comfort and Style in Living Rooms
Selecting the right sofas and chairs is so important for ensuring both comfort and style in your living room. However, it can be difficult to balance trending styles with durable materials and supportive designs.
When selecting a sofa for your living space there are multiple factors to take into consideration, including fabric choice, seat depth and height, cushion firmness and size. For instance, if you have children or pets a light-coloured fabric isn’t always the best choice, instead choose a durable and stain-proof material that can withstand scratches and stains.
In addition, seat depth and height is a crucial design factor for a comfortable and supportive sofa as it ensures back and leg support to prevent discomfort when sitting. The majority of individuals sit on their sofa for long periods of time each day so it’s important to consider this.
To improve the functionality of your seating areas, invest in multi-functional furniture with built-in storage. Ottoman footstools or sofas with built-in storage are perfect for storing spare blankets and cushions or unsightly TV remotes that ruin the appearance of your living room. These multi-functional furniture pieces are ideal for easy access and concealing miscellaneous items.
Designing a Clean and Tidy Kitchen
Kitchen and dining rooms are highly used spaces which quite often can leave them looking unclean and cluttered. Effective waste disposal facilities are necessary for keeping your kitchen clean and tidy, but unfortunately, they are often quite unsightly.
A sleek and well-designed waste and recycling bin can make both a practical and aesthetically pleasing addition to your kitchen. In particular, concealed bins are ideal for keeping waste out of sight in your kitchen, this can include pull out units built into cabinets. In addition, built-in waste chutes on the surface of your kitchen counter offer another functional waste disposal option that blends seamlessly with your kitchen’s aesthetics. If you’re on a budget or have limited space in your kitchen then there are plenty of attractive and sleek freestanding bins that can be placed in your kitchen without ruining its appearance.
Smart storage solutions are another helpful design choice for keeping your kitchen and dining areas clear and tidy at all times. For instance, rolling shelves or drawer dividers can maximise space in your kitchen cupboards and drawers by keeping them organised at all times.
Another often-overlooked upgrade is hygienic kitchen cladding. Unlike tiles, which can accumulate dirt and grime in grout lines, cladding provides a smooth, easy to clean surface that not only keeps your kitchen spotless but also enhances its modern aesthetic. It’s a practical choice for busy households, ensuring that style and cleanliness go hand in hand.
Productive Home Office
Since the global pandemic the number of individuals working from home has risen massively, which has resulted in the need for a designated office or workspaces in the majority of homes. However, designing a home office space isn’t as straight forward as it may seem as it needs to be the correct balance of inspiring, yet comfortable.
An ergonomic office chair is one of the most important features of a home office as it provides the correct comfort and support to prevent long-term musculoskeletal injuries. Working every day in an unsupportive office chair not only impacts your physical health, but it can have significant impacts on your productivity and concentration, impacting the quality of work produced.
Furthermore, a comfortable office space doesn’t just rely on ergonomic furniture, strategic lighting solutions are just as important. The correct lighting can prevent eyestrains and reduce headaches for a safer and more productive environment. Natural light is key in an office, so place your desk in front of a window in an area that receives a lot of light. LED lights can imitate natural lighting so it’s ideal to use on dark mornings and evenings. Make sure your office has consistent lighting in order to prevent screen-glare and ensure comfort.
Prioritising Health and Mobility
For individuals who need to prioritise their health and mobility, incorporating medical equipment without sacrificing on style can be challenging. However, a lot of medical equipment now comes in customisable colours and designs so you can be sure it will work seamlessly with your home’s interior.
When investing in medical equipment choose designs that prioritise both ergonomics and appearance. For instance, certain suppliers can offer medical equipment and daily living aids with sleek surfaces, a range of colour choices and streamlined designs, that fit more discreetly with your home design preferences.
Furthermore, multi-functional furniture with built-in storage solutions can be ideal for discreetly storing medical equipment around the home. Storage ottomans or built-in cabinets can ensure that your medical equipment is accessible, whilst not ruining the appearance of your room.
A truly beautiful home is one that works for you, so it is always crucial to find the perfect balance between practicality and aesthetics. Although many practical upgrades are typically seen as unattractive, there are many small adjustments that can be made to ensure both appearance and functionality. By following these recommendations, you will be able to create your own perfectly balanced space that fits all of your needs.
