Post by Stacey Walker. Stacey mostly works behind the scenes for Walker Woodworking, managing day to day operations, and marketing. Stacey has helped many clients create their dream space.
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 intentional 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 work together to 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 as well. 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 due to the fact that 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 that are 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 through design for their clients. 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 comes with benefits for the whole family. It can impact our mood and cultivates 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 leaves us with room for what is truly important. Your designer will be able to help you to 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 important 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 for 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 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 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 less renovations down the road. Flooring that has as few transitions as possible and slip resistant is definitely a good idea along with wider door frames that would allow a wheelchair through if needed. Open floor plans are a great selection with the flow of traffic 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 down the road 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 which has made a personal office space essential. When looking to create the perfect work environment be sure to 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 chair that is comfortable and 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 as well. 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 all of the things 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 the one space 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 to just be you. That is what designing for humans ultimately means, having a house that has been turned into a real home.
