Redefining the Living Space: How to Create a Home That Complements Your Lifestyle
To quote the old adage ‘home is where the heart is’, it makes sense that your home is far more than just a roof over your head. It’s a living space in the truest sense of the term: a place where life happens, so it’s essential that it’s perfectly attuned to your lifestyle.
With this in mind, today’s post will be looking at this concept in more depth, exploring ways you can transform the design of your home into a space that truly reflects your identity, interests and lifestyle - both aesthetically and from a practical standpoint.
Creature comforts
We all have different needs and priorities when it comes to home interior design, but if you’re someone who takes great pleasure in cosying up on the sofa after a long day, then it’s essential you have a living space that’s primed for your favourite pastime.
Creating a comfy and cosy living space is about more than adding a few extra scatter cushions and throws on your sofa or bed. To really bring a homely and snug feel to your living space, you need to get the balance of textures and materials just right, so it provides exceptional comfort as well as functionality.
We’d suggest using a neutral colour-palette like a warm cream or soft grey as a base to build on with other colourful accents like a vibrant patterned floor rug for warmth underfoot and bright coloured cushions, curtains and throws. These bolder colours and patterns will bring character to the space, as well as added comfort.
When it comes to furniture, optimise comfort and convenience with ample side tables for reading lamps, books and more and make use of multifunctional storage pieces like a fabric-covered ottoman to ensure they enhance the soft, snug aesthetic while also ensuring it stays neat and tidy.
To finish the look, layering the space with a variety of textures and materials will accentuate the comfy vibe - think faux fur rugs, velvet cushions and knitted blankets draped over armchairs to deliver that welcoming, familiar space that you’ve always dreamed of.
Live life in the open
Open-plan living continues to be a popular choice for modern home design and when done well, it can be the perfect way to cultivate a family space that feels bigger, brighter and more sociable as a result.
The key is to create specific zones for each area to ensure there’s the right amount of cohesion with the overall aesthetic, but defined functions for each space. One idea is to separate the kitchen and living area with a breakfast bar or raised workbench. The physical divide ensures meal prep can be uninhibited by raucous playtimes yet there’s still very much a connection between the two spaces and all family members, particularly when it comes to family dinner time.
For living rooms and dining rooms, using console tables and sideboards behind sofas can effectively define the two zones without them feeling confined. They also provide a good amount of storage to help keep the space clutter free. It’s also a good idea to carve out a kids’ corner within your open living space, allowing adults and children to both feel like they have their own dedicated area for relaxation.
Beyond the central living hub, offering suitable secluded areas within the home will help maintain a healthy balance between social time and quiet time - be that a cosy reading nook on the landing or a child-free haven in the bedroom.
Low maintenance homes
If you lead a busy lifestyle, juggling a hectic work schedule, family commitments or social engagements can often leave little time for keeping on top of household chores. However, with the right interior design choices in key areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, that tend to be the most labour intensive to clean, you could make the upkeep of your home far simpler.
For kitchens and bathrooms, the key is to optimise the space with easy-to-clean surfaces that are low maintenance and require little more than a wipe over to restore their pristine condition. Hard, resilient granite or quartz worktops are a fantastic choice here for both areas. For one, they will add a timeless style to any home, but also their exceptional durability, scratch and stain resistance means they can be quickly wiped down.
When it comes to walls, coloured metro brick wall tiles will lend a contemporary look that won’t take forever to clean. Cooking splashes, soap scum and limescale build up can be simply wiped away with warm water and a soft cloth.
The same can be said for carpet-free floors, opting for sturdy tiles or laminate alternatives like luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) will mean your floors can be swept and mopped in no time at all. They also make light work of spillages and will last for years, making them an ideal choice in busy households. Plus, with the addition of underfloor heating or rugs you can still easily achieve that cosy feel with far less hassle.
The great outdoors
For sun worshipers, having an outdoor space that caters to your love of soaking up the warm rays outside should be a key consideration for your home interior design. Whether you have a small balcony or a spacious garden, there are plenty of ways you can carve out your perfect sun spot.
The best place to start is ensuring you have a comfy seat that will allow you to lie back and enjoy the feel of the sun on your skin. Of course, a sunlounger would be the ideal choice here, but if space isn’t on your side, a reclining chair could be the way to go. Throw in some soft cushions and a sunbrella to help you stay cool and protect your skin from harmful rays, and you’ll have all the ingredients you need for basking in the sunshine.
If you have multiple areas that get the sun at different points of the day, positioning different pieces of garden furniture will be a worthwhile investment as you can follow the sun around your home. This may also require different types of furniture, too. For instance, for that late afternoon sun and balmy evenings on the patio, adapting the space to accommodate some comfortable garden sofas and drinks tables for social gatherings will offer a relaxing haven for enjoying the last few hours of sunshine.
Beyond seating, surround yourself with natural touches such as colourful potted plants, creeping vines and shrubbery that will help you feel truly at one with nature in the great outdoors. Add in some wonderful summery scents and colourful fauna and you’ll be set to enjoy hours of time relaxing outside.
We all have different expectations and requirements from our homes, but bringing the right interior design elements together to cultivate a space that truly reflects your personality and lifestyle will ensure home really is where your heart is.
About the Creator
Danian Lee
Danian is a content enthusiast who keeps track of all the latest updates in Tech, Travel, Life Style and other niches. I am a content writer who love to contribute articles to blogs. You can get in touch with me on Twitter.
Keep reading
More stories from Danian Lee and writers in Lifehack and other communities.
Get Rid of the Silent Killer: Do Asbestos Testing Today
Asbestos is a toxic fiber that can lead to a host of illnesses, the worst-case scenario being death. It has been linked to critical health problems like lung cancer, emphysema, mesothelioma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, and more. Exposure to this substance will also exacerbate chronic illnesses like allergic rhinitis, asthma, psoriasis, and cystic fibrosis. With its terrifying consequences, you must be vigilant about asbestos testing for your home and commercial properties.
By Danian Lee4 years ago in Lifehack
Dwarf Yaupon Holly: A Petite Evergreen Treasure
Title: Dwarf Yaupon Holly: A Petite Evergreen Treasure Word Count: 802 --- Tucked away in gardens and landscapes across the southern United States, the Dwarf Yaupon Holly stands as a petite yet captivating evergreen treasure. With its compact size, glossy foliage, and versatility, this ornamental shrub has become a favorite among gardeners seeking year-round interest and low-maintenance beauty.
By Kavya Organic Garden5 days ago in Lifehack
My observation
10 sensible ways to know the genuine minds of people you met for the first time; When we are meeting someone for the first time, we are burdened with information. It can be difficult to know what kind of person they are. That’s why it’s important to communicate with a clear understanding. According to experts, 55% of what we convey comes from body language, 38% from the tone of voice, and only 7% from what we actually say. This means that when we meet someone for the first time, we have to take into account these three factors, in addition to what a person’s appearance may suggest. So, if you want to have a good understanding of someone’s personality when you first meet them, pay attention to the following clues—starting from the head down! Number 1: Eye Contact They often say that the eyes give light to the soul. The key to knowing which kind of eye contact someone is giving you is to consider the context. For instance, if a person steadily gazes at you, it could mean there’s an interest. On the other hand, when you look into someone's eye and he can’t look back at you, it’s a sign that he is either nervous or he has something else in mind,if you’re talking with someone whose look makes you uncomfortable, especially if he's steady and not blinking, something is definitely wrong, Number 2: Eyebrows: If you want to see how comfortable a person is, take a look at their eyebrows! There are three main emotions that make one's eyebrows go up: these are surprise, worry, and fear. Always raise your eyebrows when you’re having a conversation with a friend. An uncomfortable conversation can cause fear, worry, and surprise looks. Number 4:one can smile when it comes to smiling, the mouth can lie, but the eyes can’t. Genuine smiles reach the eyes, People often smile to hide what they’re so to know if a smile is genuine, look for crinkles at the corners of their eyes. If they aren’t there, that smile is hiding something! Number 5: Number Side Glance People who are warm and open to meeting you will have their bodies facing you, and they will look you in the eye. On the flip side, if you’ve just met someone and they immediately glance away to the side, this is a subconscious body language sign that means they are looking for an escape. Number 6:Frequent nodding Nodding is usually a sign that someone agrees with you. But When you’re telling someone something and they nod excessively, this means that they are worried about what you think of them or that you doubt their ability to follow your instructions. On the other hand, frequent nodding could also be unconscious gestures that are cues for the other person to get a move on, just like when a person keeps looking at their watch or touches their car keys. Number 7:Posture How someone carries themselves can give you some indications about their self-confidence. For example, if someone is walking upright with their shoulders back and looking straight, that gives an indication that they feel good about themselves and have confidence. However, if someone is slouching over and looking at the ground when they walk, that gives a much different impression. It may not necessarily mean that they have low self-esteem, but that’s the message it gives Number 8:Rubbing hands It is believed that the hands broadcast what the head is thinking. When a person is rubbing their hands together, it generally means that they have a positive feeling about something. People usually do this when they are hopeful about something good coming up in the future and they’re excited about it. Number 9:Handshake You can tell a lot from a person’s handshake. Soft and flabby, and they are likely to be submissive or a pushover. They are too hard and crushing, and they are possibly domineering types. The length of time is also important. Too long, and it’s weird, but too short could indicate some form of conflict. It’s possible that the person does not want to make a deep connection with you. But it could also mean that they don’t have much time. Number 10: Leaning In or Away If a person leans in towards you, it’s a clear indication that they are interested in you. What you might not know is that it’s also a sign of respect. When people come closer and lean in toward you during a conversation, it shows that they want to confide in you. It makes you feel trustworthy and valued. If someone leans back, however, they show that they are tired of the conversation, or perhaps they feel uncomfortable for some reason. . Number 11: Crossed Arms and Legs Have you ever had a conversation with someone who crossed their arms or legs while you were talking to them? If you’re on a first date or if you’re trying to pitch someone a new idea, it’s not a good sign. Crossed arms and legs are physical barriers that suggest the other person is not open to what you’re saying. Even if they’re smiling and engaged in a pleasant conversation, their body language tells the story. Psychologically, crossed legs or arms signal that a person is mentally, emotionally, and physically blocked off. On the same note, the direction of someone’s feet is also quite revealing. A person who likes you will have both feet facing in your direction. However, if their feet shift towards the door, it means they’ve had enough and want to leave. Number 16: Shoes: A person’s shoes can tell you a lot about their personality. Apparently, we all make judgements about people’s shoes, but studies show that they are pretty accurate. Nervous people will have new or very clean shoes. Amiable types will wear practical shoes. Calm people have an affinity for uncomfortable shoes. And aggressive people wear ankle boots. Just take a look at your own shoes. Does your personality type fit in with them? Number 17: Overall Appearance How someone dresses and presents themselves can say volumes about them. If the person has their hair in place, their clothing pressed, and they show attention to style, they may be very detail-oriented. Someone with a more casual wardrobe or “bed head” might be creative or just mercy and many more.with this little tips you will be able to detect someone around you. Thanks for reading and remain blessed.
By Chikatelma6 days ago in Lifehack
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.