Your home is a special place for you and your family and it’s where you spend a lot of your time. You may look around one day and realise that it’s a bit outdated and could use some improvements.
Before you begin, it’s wise to think through what’s going to make your home not only more stylish and beautiful but also more functional. You’ll enjoy living in your home more when it’s both nice to look at and it operates to your liking. Review the following ideas to get you thinking about what you may want to change and update and then create a budget and priority list to help you get started on the right path.
1. Maximise Vertical Space
One way to make your home more stylish and functional is to maximise vertical space. You can decorate and store items going upward on the wall and on shelving instead of outward which will take up more room. You can even create and make a DIY plant wall both inside and outside of your home to make it more attractive and lively. Bringing in natural elements will help you create a calm and welcoming home and environment to live in. Also, you should take full advantage of wall height by adding tall bookcases, cabinets or shelves, and by hanging hooks for jackets in the hallway.
2. Dress up Your Windows
You can make your home not only more stylish but also functional by dressing up your windows. Window treatments are an excellent way to bring in a pop of colour and add texture to your rooms. You can also use them to help control the temperature in your home, keep the sunshine in or out, and make your spaces calm on a windy day. If this is your goal then you might want to look into the shadeland shade cloth blinds and the options they offer in this category. Your windows will not only look more attractive when you dress them up but you’ll be able to more easily work with the change in climate and weather patterns.
3. Clean & Declutter
A messy and disorganised home is hard to look at and live in. Therefore, you must take the time to clean and declutter your rooms and belongings. Make your home more stylish and functional by getting rid of what you no longer need or want. Move items out of the way so there are clear walking paths in your home and you’re not tripping on your stuff. Leave enough space to easily move and walk around without furniture or boxes standing in your way. Return your items to their original place when you’re done using them and file away important paperwork.
4. Add Storage
Instead of having your items scattered all over and not knowing where they are you can store them nicely and neatly in one area. Add storage by purchasing storage bins and making sure all you own is labeled and easily accessible. You can also add storage by building more or larger closets and creating more shelving. If you have a lot of shoes that are taking up space on the floor then consider buying an over-the-door rack and additional shelving units to hold clothing you’re not wearing based on the season.
5. Purchase the Right Pieces of Furniture
Another option for making your home more stylish and functional is to purchase the right pieces of furniture that have a dual purpose. For instance, many pieces on the market are not only used for sitting or putting your feet up but also for holding your items so you can’t see them. Consider where you can add furniture and make sure to get new pieces that not only look beautiful but will also ensure your belongings are out of the way until you want to use them.
6. Update the Kitchen
You can make your home more stylish and functional by focusing on the kitchen space. Your kitchen is one of the main rooms in your home and gets a lot of foot traffic daily. It makes sense that you want it to be not only updated but also practical and efficient. It’s especially important if you’re someone who likes to cook or have guests over often. There are many updates you can consider making that will help you achieve this goal such as installing an island, organising your cabinets, and replacing old appliances. The more functional and attractive your kitchen the happier you’ll be living in your home.
7. Make Use of all Your Rooms & Spaces
Now is a good time to tackle rooms and spaces you’ve been ignoring or putting off updating over the years. For instance, you can create a reading corner or nook by a window where the sun tends to shine. You might also want to convert an old bedroom into a home office where you can go to get some work done or pay the bills. Another idea is to finish your basement so you have an additional space to entertain, hang out, or play with your kids. If you have an attic that is collecting dust, consider exploring loft conversions to transform it into a functional living area or an extra bedroom. This can add value to your home while making better use of an existing space. Take a look around at any dead or unused spaces and get creative about how you can be putting them to good use and what you believe your family will enjoy and appreciate the most.
8. Enhance the Lighting
The lighting in your home also impacts the beauty and function of your spaces and property. You can make your home more stylish and functional by enhancing the lighting both inside and out. Replace old lighting fixtures that are dull or worn with new ones that will make your home appear more modern. Also, add enough lighting options throughout your spaces and home so you can set the mood and ambiance based on the occasion and time of day. In addition to fixtures, you can display candles and floor and table lamps, for example. Also, draw in more natural light by adding a skylight or washing your windows, and opening your blinds up when the weather is nice.
*This is a collaborative post