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Functional Decor: A Smart Decorating Option
Incorporating functionality into our living spaces is now a top priority, and you don’t have to compromise on style.
Recent years have been filled with numerous interior design trends, ranging from maximalism and modern farmhouse to midcentury modern and cottagecore. However, the common thread that runs through all of these trends is the emphasis on functional decor. The idea of having a home that is not only visually appealing but also practical has become increasingly important, particularly with people spending more time at home. Achieving a balance between style and functionality is now the ultimate goal for many homeowners.
Looking to incorporate functional decor into your home? Here are some tips to get you started.
What Exactly Is Functional Decor?
Every home is unique, and as a result, incorporating functional decor must be approached differently depending on individual needs and preferences.
In essence, functional decor is all about finding ways to make your living space work for you and your lifestyle, while still maintaining an aesthetic appeal. It’s about striking a balance between form and function.
Whether that means transforming a formal dining room into a home office and eating nook, or adding a sofa with a pull-out bed to your living room in order to convert your guest room into a multipurpose space, the key is creating a functional living environment that works best for you. With functional decor, there’s no right or wrong way to go about it, as long as it serves your needs and enhances your quality of life.
How Can You Bring More Function to Your Space?
It’s easy to get carried away and make hasty decisions when designing your living space, especially when there’s an abundance of visually appealing interior design ideas available online. However, relying solely on this strategy may not always yield the best results. To create a functional and beautiful home, try following these tips.
1. Design Rooms to Accommodate the Needs of Your Family
Designing your home with the needs of your family in mind is key to making it more functional. Each household has different functional requirements, and therefore it’s crucial to identify how you’ll use each space. Contrary to popular belief, a beautiful interior design and your daily lifestyle can complement each other. For instance, if you frequently use your living room to host friends and family, then ensuring adequate seating is a must for making it functional. On the other hand, hidden storage may be more important for a living room primarily used for relaxation.
Feel free to disregard conventional home layouts and let your activities shape the design of your space. If your formal dining room is never used, for example, consider turning it into a multifunctional space that serves you better. You could opt for a smaller dining table to create space for a desk or transform the room entirely. Let your activities dictate everything, from the room’s layout to the choice of furniture.
2. Make Storage Space a Priority
Clutter can make any space feel less functional. Many designers note that a lack of storage space and too much clutter throughout the home are common issues they encounter with new clients. While some clutter is unavoidable, creating a functional space that accommodates the everyday activity of your household means having sufficient storage for all your stuff so that daily clutter can be tidied up easily.
To add functional storage to your home, begin by assessing your space and storage requirements. Then, consider the aesthetic you want to achieve. Things like closed cabinets, storage ottomans, nightstands with drawers, and baskets are all tools pros use to achieve a functional interior design. They enable you to keep all of your necessities at hand, but hidden from view for a peaceful look.
3. Avoid Over-Decorating
Achieving functional living is about finding the right balance of furnishings and decor for your space. While accent chairs, coffee table books, throw pillows, vases, plants, and candles can add beauty to a room, overdoing it can make the space feel cluttered and impractical.
When decorating, make sure to consider the walking clearance between furniture pieces and ensure that every seat has a small table surface nearby for convenience. Instead of overcrowding your coffee table with books that you may never read, keep it simple and functional so that you can use it for its intended purpose.
4. Include Furniture With Multiple Functions
Incorporating multifunctional furniture is an excellent way to maximize the usability and appearance of a room, especially when dealing with limited space. It’s ideal for meeting several purposes, including minimizing clutter, and offering extra storage and seating while maintaining a simple and clean look. A circular ottoman, for example, can serve as a footrest, coffee table, and bonus seating, in addition to it an additional storage option.
5. Layer Your Lighting
Proper lighting is crucial in the design of any room and can significantly affect function. To achieve optimal lighting, consider layering your lights by incorporating different sources of illumination, such as floor lamps, table lamps, wall sconces, and overhead lights. By layering lights, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere while also providing sufficient ambient, task, and accent lighting for functionality.
If you want more control over the lighting, consider installing dimmer switches on your artificial lights. Dimmers allow you to adjust the brightness according to your mood and the time of day, thereby increasing comfort and versatility.
