From The Floor Up: How To Create A Functional But Fashionable Living Space

Your living space not only gives people a view of who you are creatively, but it is also fully connected to your mental health and well-being. If your living space is one that you don’t enjoy being in, that is going to cause reoccurring issues over time. This is your home and you need to ensure that it is functional, fashionable and a space where you feel content and comfortable.

Whether you own your home or you are renting, the space you live in should be a space that you love, and one that brings you positivity, productivity, and happiness. Having a functional, organized, and beautiful living space will enhance your home life and could be a catalyst for even more positive changes in your life.

Continue reading for some useful tips that will help you to create a beautiful and functional living space that you can truly call home.

Budget Is Highly Important

You don’t need to be ultra-wealthy to budget for a truly impressive and functional living space, but it is essential that a budget is reviewed beforehand. While there are certainly a variety of ways to do interior design and decoration on a limited budget, there is still a price tag that needs to be considered. For example, top-quality affordable materials such as structural plywood might be cheaper than solid oak but you will still have to budget. There is no rule on how little or how much you can spend on your design, but you do need to set an official limit and stick to it.

When you have an idea of how much money you can or want to afford towards your living space, don’t forget to add room for incidentals. There is no project too small, nor too cheap to go over budget. In fact, it happens more than it doesn’t. An extra ten to twenty per cent of your original total should be sufficient, and if needed, reduce the original budget accordingly.

Storage Is Essential To Function

Whether you are single and living alone, or have a family of twelve, you are going to be far less happy and productive when your living space is constantly cluttered. When planning your living space, ensure you put enough attention to convenient and functional storage. If you are typically a cluttered person, it is a good idea to get into the habit of regularly de-cluttering your living space.

With the right storage in your living space, you won’t feel like there is stuff everywhere, and it will completely open up the area, creating the illusion of more space. This will lead to better overall functionality in your home, and if you have a family, less risk of being injured by things like kids' toys strewn about your floors.

Flow And Lighting Add Value

If you have ever lived in an old apartment or home, you will understand the concept of a home having no flow. Flow really refers to how convenient the living space is designed. For example, if you have a kitchen on one end of the home, with the dining room on the other end, it creates horrible flow and cold meals.

Along with the way a living space flows, is how you can literally see in the space. Lighting has come so far in the last few decades that it is absolutely essential to take advantage of newer designs and technologies. The right lighting is going to allow you to have clear vision throughout the space, and also highlight anything that may be a point of interest. When you pair your lighting with an overall design, it also makes the entire space look better.

Furniture Must Be Fitting

Your furniture is one of the most important things in your home, and it comes in all different shapes, sizes, and prices. The main focus here is to ensure that the furniture you use is going to be appropriate for the space. If you live in a smaller apartment, having an oversized leather sectional is going to cause some problems.

You want your furniture to be sized properly for the room it will be placed in, as it can quickly overtake a room and make it feel tiny. It is also a good time to think about the type of material your furniture is made from, as functionality is increased when things are easier to clean and maintain.

Do What Makes You Happy With Your Living Space

Ultimately, the only thing that matters when designing your living space is that you are pleased with the finished product. There are endless options out there to add a unique, fashionable spin to your living space, and it’s important to remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Your living space is for you, first and foremost, and your choices here need to reflect that. Once you have created your own beautiful, fashionable, and functional living space, you will understand how important it truly is. Live your best life at home, keep things neat and organized, and keep that positive energy flowing with an interior design that you truly love.