Design is the combination of beauty and function. In some settings, beauty can take precedence over function when the purpose of the space is to impress rather than somewhere to live. These designs are created with careful thought into the human psyche and aim to evoke certain responses in the largest pool of visitors. Examples include how an opulent lobby can make any hotel appeal to high-end clients, how modern design works wonderfully for offices focusing on innovation, and how traditional and neoclassical elements harken back to tradition and longstanding success.
Design effects not only how we feel, but how we are perceived. In office spaces and public spaces these design elements are carefully plotted and relatively inoffensive. There is rarely anything that is too glaringly out of place, and instead, harmony rules. In homes, however, design can sometimes take a back seat. This happens when our belongings take center-stage, rather than our home. It is when life gets in the way and the projects we might have wanted to start when we moved in get pushed back, but it’s never too late to design your home from the ground up. It’s never too late to feel truly at home when you are in your house.
A Space for Everything and Everything in its Place
One of the first design no’s that a household can become victim to is being cluttered. Clutter, from paperwork to garbage, to any number of items that have accumulated beyond the shelves and have begun to take up residence on every other surface of your home are hurting your design. Design is the conscious reflection of emotion in many cases. People opt for specific design periods because they associate those designs with a certain quality of living. Farmhouse–style living for the simple, wholesome life. Modern living for the modern career-woman, and so on. When your home is cluttered, even the most carefully thought out designs are lost. If you haven’t yet added your own design elements into your home, then the clutter could hide the potential.
De-cluttering is the best solution for reducing clutter, but you can also go through and find new ways to hold your belongings. Add floating shelves throughout your living room, or custom closet designs in the bedroom, and so on. The more you can display your belongings beautifully (or hide them away more space-economically) the better your home design will be because it isn’t your belongings and clutter that you see, but the overall design.
From the Ground Up
Once your home is de-cluttered, you can start from the ground up. Two of the biggest considerations for a home makeover is the floors and the walls. Downtrodden flooring can bring down the quality of any home, and updating the material can anchor your furniture and other decorative decisions properly. Hardwood flooring can add a rustic, warm feel throughout your home, whereas a more expensive brand of carpeting can provide more durability and comfort.
Walls, however, are another story. Whereas flooring can get expensive (and complicated, considering you need to remove all furniture from a room before you can redo the flooring) walls can easily be done up yourself. All you need to do is know a bit about color psychology.
Color psychology is the notion that different colors can affect how we feel. This likely is due to our associations of the color in our lives, where blue skies link back to warm summer days and green makes you think of fresh air and nature. The power of colors and shades can even have a positive impact on those suffering from mental health disorders, but knowing what colors evoke which emotions can help every homeowner regardless.
Cooler colors typically have a calming effect on our psyche. Blue and green in particular have a very calming effect on the mind and the body, in some cases even helping you breathe more deeply and relax.
Warm colors are stimulants. They can make you energetic, happy, and ready to take on the day. The brighter the color, however, the more irritating it can be to your eyes, so opt for a soft, muted color instead of one that pops.
Last but not least, the shades, or, the versions of white, off-white, and cream that is a very popular option for many designs. These options are often chosen due to how white can expand a space, rather than drawing it in. It’s why small rooms benefit from white walls, as it gives the illusion of space. Similarly, they act as a great canvas for wall decorations and can make a room feel cleaner.
Making the Most of Natural Elements
Sunlight and natural light have very powerful effects on the human psyche. That’s why it’s important to maximize natural light as much as possible by opting for window treatments that don’t block windows and even placing mirrors in your room to double the amount of light. This increased natural light can also mean you can easily bring in more plant life, another design element every home should have not only because plants can be beautiful decorative pieces, but also due to their effect on the air quality (a must-have particularly for urban living).
Comfort, Health, and Furniture Design
Decorations are personal, which is why the last design element that you need to incorporate into your home is a hybrid approach to furniture design. Comfort without style can downgrade a room, and style without comfort can make it unlivable. Instead, find the perfect middle-ground. To do this, rely on product comparison reviews like this recliner guide by Cuddly Home Advisors. Not only will you be able to find the perfect recliner to suit your room, but you’ll also be sure that it is ideal for your body and comfort.
Home design is entirely personal, but knowing a few key psychological design tricks can help you achieve the look and feel you want. Incorporate these design tricks into your home, and you’ll alleviate your home to the next level.