adminWith our desire to hibernate growing ever greater, we look at how we make use of the space we have in our homes.
Modern homes are only 92 percent of the recommended size. For an average three bedroomed home, that’s eight square metres or the equivalent of a single bedroom less than experts say is ideal.
Regardless of the amount of space we have, the way we use the rooms in our homes has changed over the decades.
Period homes were designed with set rooms for set activities – the kitchen was for preparing food, the dining room was for eating it.
Now, we tend to demand more versatility in our spaces and need the rooms in our home to be more multi-functional.
According to the latest research from new home wares and furniture brand, Heart of House, 36 percent of us now live in an either partially or completely open plan space.
One in six of those people actively sought out an open plan home while 15 percent of those living in period homes admit to having knocked down walls to create more of an open plan, communal way of living.
Because of our demands for a more multi-functional way of living, the way we style and dress our space can make all the difference to how fit for purpose a room actually is.
Whether it’s using sofas to segment a large open plan space or using versatile furniture with added storage – there are some “tricks of the trade” that help us to make the most out of whatever space we have.
Decorating a property whether a re-design or a new home can be a daunting prospect.
The hardest part with any design scheme is starting out.
Often clients believe they have no idea about what style they like or what will work for them.
At the other extreme some people have so many ideas, the question is, which to use and which do you really love, rather than flash in the pan trends. Both scenarios are equally confusing.
Whether you’re planning to hire a designer or doing the work yourself – the key is to get inside your head and find out what you really like.
You need to look for inspiration all around you because you never know what might be the starting point for you.
It could be a cushion, fabric or wallpaper or equally a butterfly, flower, holiday, anything you see while out and about. So how can you find out what you really like?
To start out, create a board for your room and then pin images that you love to the board.
It doesn’t need to all be about sofas and lampshades, you can search and source ideas via colour, textures, fashion, food – whatever triggers a good emotion initially.
If you can do this with an open mind, you may be surprised at the results.
You will start to find that certain colours or ideas become prominent and soon a theme will emerge when you see all the pins together and tada . . you’ll have the beginnings of a fabulous scheme.
You can create different boards for each room or set of ideas. If you’re designing a room as a couple, you can share boards, which is a good way to see both of your ideas together in one place. – Yourhomemagazine.co.uk
Online Reporter