Family homes evolve with the people living in them. From toddler toys and homework stations to busy meal prep stations and cosy movie night locations, every area has to do a lot more work than simply appear visually appealing. Each area has to perform a task. Although big impacts usually come from making extensive changes to your home, smaller changes can also result in significant conversion, and it might be much easier to accomplish than you realise.
Via Pexels
Rethinking Room Layout to Increase Daily Functionality
You do not have to tear down walls to improve the way you use a space. Reorganising the layout of a room can significantly change how your family functions in a room. Identify the heavy traffic paths in your home. Are kids running back and forth across the living room to get to the backyard all the time? Is the kitchen island being used as a drop zone for backpacks, grocery bags, etc.?
Rearrange your furniture to aid in the path of least resistance. Remove bulky items from the main pathways of your home. Create open spaces to allow the movement of family members and socialisation to occur in rooms like the living room, dining and kitchen area. Simply flipping the placement of a sofa or the direction of a dining table can open up a room.
Effective Storage Solutions
Clutter is one of the biggest issues in family homes. There is no need for storage of these items to be hidden or unappealing. Select pieces of furniture that serve multiple purposes. Examples include:
a) A bench with storage cubbies for shoes at the entrance of your home.
b) A modern sideboard in your dining area for storing dinnerware, dishes, glassware, etc., along with board games.
c) Wall-mounted shelves. These will help organise a child's art projects, provide additional bookshelves, or be a pretty spot to place family photos and travel mementoes.
When all items have a designated place, maintaining a sense of order and calmness in your home is much easier, even in the busiest of weeks.
Renovations to Elevate Your Kitchen
Kitchens are typically where the most action happens. This is the room where families prepare meals together, share stories from school, and host their friends and family. While renovating your kitchen may be necessary at some point in time, updating your kitchen does not have to involve a full remodel. Simply making a few updates to the decor and function of your kitchen can make it go from functional to fantastic.
Consider updating the hardware on your cabinets, painting your kitchen a warm colour, installing a new light fixture over your island, or replacing old stools at the bar to completely change the atmosphere of your kitchen. Visit Kitchen Emporium for creative ideas and inspiring solutions for updating your family kitchen.
Adaptable Lighting
Lighting can be one of the most underutilised tools in designing your home. Proper lighting can not only illuminate a room but also redefine how a room feels. Replace harsh overhead lighting with layers of softer lighting to meet the needs of your family at different times of the day.
For example, a floor lamp located beside the couch can create a comfortable reading area. Installing under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen adds ambience to the space while providing additional lighting during evening meal cleanups. Install dimmer switches so you can quickly change the mood of the room from breakfast to a quiet evening dinner with soft lighting and candles.
Expressive Elements
As a family home evolves, it is essential to express the personalities of the individuals living in the home. A photo gallery wall filled with hand-selected pictures and artwork. A chalkboard wall in the hallway for kids to draw on or leave messages. Hand-picked plants on the windowsill that will continue to grow and thrive. These are not only decorative elements but represent who your family are.
Smaller, intentional, and personal changes can make the greatest impression. Whether you decide to repurpose a piece of furniture or update the layout of your kitchen, never underestimate the influence of making a few small changes. They will help your home feel like it is truly your home in looks and soul.