DESIGNING WITH YOU IN MIND
Design is about transforming a house into a home through carefully selected pieces and a perfect blending of elements. Together, this creates a space where everyone can truly relax and thrive. Designing for humans involves intentionally keeping connection, comfort, and wellness top of mind during the process. Our homes are our sanctuary, the place we call our own, and it must be built for our individual lifestyle needs. Colors, layout, patterns, and features create a cozy atmosphere that benefits everyone. Let’s talk about some important areas and concerns that can be helped with a thoughtful design.
Designing for comfort
There are several things to keep in mind when designing a comfortable home including lighting, texture, and even the flow of the room. Each of these elements can influence the atmosphere and feel of the room. Designers say that a unified space helps set a relaxed tone, making it easier to just take it easy after a long day or when gathering with family and friends. Comfortable seating for living spaces like family and living areas is a must, and add a soft throw for good measure. Consider the size of the furniture before placing it in the room as too much or too large can quickly make a room feel cramped. Adequate lighting makes it easier to see but also brings a calm ambiance to the room. Table and floor lamps are a great way to bring in extra lighting. Texture can increase the look of comfort in a room such as beautiful artwork and even window treatments. Together these elements work together to make your home a comfortable place to just put your feet up.
Designing for connection
Connection is something that we crave, especially in our own homes, and the way we design a space plays a role in making this happen. Open floor plans remain popular because it makes it easier for families to stay in touch with each other even though they are working in different areas such as the kitchen or living room. While each area ought to have a few things that distinguish it from the rest of the home, there needs to be a thread that ties them together. Placing seating in each area allows you to have a spot to sit and connect. Think about bar stools for your kitchen island and a sofa with additional chairs placed near enough to interact with each other. Designing for connection means creating spaces where conversations can flow, and memories are made with the people you love.
Designing for wellness
Wellness remains a top priority in the home, and designers are always looking for ways to bring peace of mind to their clients through design. Areas like the kitchen, where we not only cook but spend a lot of time, can benefit from a quartz countertop, which is the best choice for antibacterial material. Bringing nature’s elements into the home, such as plants, natural lighting, and colors, benefits the whole family. It can impact our mood and cultivate a calm energy in the room. Choosing to have a more minimalist style can help lessen our levels of stress as we have less clutter in the home and leave us with room for what is truly important. Your designer will be able to help you put these and more things in place that can help contribute to your family’s wellness.
Designing for children
When thinking about refreshing your space or designing a brand new one, it is easy to forget about the little members of the family. Often, the design is catered to the needs of the adults, but it is essential to remember the younger residents. Ample drawers in the kitchen make it easy for them to grab a plate for dinner or even keep snacks handy when they come home from school. Individual cubbies in your drop zone can make it simple for them to place their backpacks, hats, and shoes when they come home or grab them as they leave. Color is a fun element they can enjoy, especially in their own room as it lets them have a little say in the look and feel in this area. Have fun with some accent pieces that are rich in texture and pattern, too. Designing for children does not mean your home can’t look elegant, just that the spaces work for everyone.
Designing for seniors
Aging in place is a design phrase that interior designers are striving for as they work with clients. It is giving thought to the future needs they may have, and making those accommodations today means fewer renovations down the road. Flooring with as few transitions as possible and slip-resistant is definitely a good idea, along with broader door frames that would allow a wheelchair through if needed. Open floor plans are a great selection with the traffic flow easier as there are fewer obstacles to go around. Including mostly drawers in your lower kitchen cabinet design means you can simply bend over to reach your items instead of having to kneel down on the floor. Motorized blinds make a great choice for window treatments and pull hardware instead of knobs which are easier to grab. Putting these design features in early will save you money and make transitioning into your golden years much easier.
Designing for work-from-home life
Working from home has become the norm for many now, and this has made a personal office space essential. When looking to create the perfect work environment, think beyond the necessities like a desk and lamp. Typically, we will spend eight hours or more in this area, and it ought to be energizing as well as functional. Deadlines will always be easier to meet when the environment is thoughtfully laid out. With so much screen time, whether in Zoom calls or assembling another PowerPoint, our eyes need breaks, so place your desk in view of a window and try to incorporate a few plants into the space since they look great but also help clean the air. Select a comfortable chair that will give your body the correct support. You can even include an essential oil diffuser that can help purge the air and keep it pleasant. Having several sources of light is key plus the ability to block the strong afternoon sun. Having an office that you enjoy and is personalized to your needs can go a long way in working efficiently from home.
Designing for humans
Home is meant to be a special word that represents everything we love and cherish. It is the place we look forward to after a busy day or even a vacation because it is ours. Home should be where we can truly let our guard down and just relax. Design is meant to help you tell your story and create an environment where it is easy just to be you. That is what designing for humans ultimately means: having a house that has been turned into a real home.
