3 Signs Your Home’s Design is Making Life Harder
Are you familiar with the phrase, “You don’t know what you don’t know?” It applies to various life situations, but especially to our homes before a renovation or redesign. So many of our clients have told us that they didn’t realize just how much they were working against their home until living with a functional, new interior design. All of a sudden, life became so much easier!
So, how do you pinpoint whether your home is making life harder? Here are 3 unmistakable signs, coupled with practical solutions for a layout that effortlessly supports your lifestyle…
Sign #1. Gatherings feel cramped & difficult.
Bumping elbows around the dinner table. A not-so-functional drink station. Awkward (or not enough) living room seating. If your gatherings include any of those pain points — whether it’s the holidays, a weekend with family, or hosting brunch — your layout and furniture are likely the culprit.
In fact, did you know that your furniture’s purpose should be the guiding factor when purchasing? It’s true. Without considering function, factors like cozy comfort and superior quality will still fall short.
When it comes to selecting and placing seating, we begin by evaluating your specific needs and the intended purpose of the room. For example, will you host large dinner parties for holidays? If so, we’ll find a dining table with leaves for easy expansion. Do you plan to entertain small groups of guests in your family room? A face-to-face or perpendicular arrangement of seating options (as shown above) will be just right.
Sign #2. Moving through your home is awkward & painful.
If stubbed toes and bumped hips are the daily special for you and your family, again, your furniture layout may be to blame. Awkward flow from space to space frequently comes with painful encounters, either between you and the furniture or between family members. No, thank you!
Fortunately, simple and thoughtful adjustments will make a world of difference, the first of which is the SCALE of your furniture.
Oversized pieces will inevitably cramp a space and disrupt flow, while too-small pieces will make the room feel empty. It’s a balancing act. Additionally, we have to consider scale in relation to the other furnishings in the room. A tiny chair positioned next to a giant sofa? Awkward.
The secret to a well-designed room often lies in creating multiple seating areas to fill the space perfectly. It’s our job to arrange furniture logically to suit the room’s purpose, leave enough room to walk, and ensure that room-to-room flow works.
P.S. This is also why we create detailed floor plans with exact measurements before any purchases are made!
Sign #3. Seating is uncomfortable & uninspiring.
If your current furniture is uncomfortable, outdated, worn, or just plain unattractive, there’s a good chance it’s weighing on you, even subconsciously. As many of our clients have expressed after we created their new homes, loving how your home looks and feels will bring lightness and joy to your everyday life. And, believe it or not, this does translate into an easier daily routine.
One of my favorite things is creating a comfortable and cohesive space with elements that elevate your lifestyle and make coming home the most exciting part of your day. This includes exploring what you love about your home and what could use improvement.
Not only will we create a design concept brimming with style you love, but we’ll ensure that each piece — from area rugs to sofas and chairs — is undeniably comfortable and will last long-term. If you have inherited or well-loved pieces that you just can’t part with, we’ll find ways to spruce them up and meet your daily needs, such as adding new suspension to your favorite chair or reupholstering your grandmother’s chaise.
Above all, a home that is functional, comfortable, and beautiful to your eyes will make life feel easy and special for you and your family. Believe me!
My Final Advice on Space Planning
If these “signs” sound familiar, you don’t have to play a guessing game when creating your floor plan or selecting furniture. Instead of endlessly rearranging items or fearing to make big purchases you’ll regret, we recommend getting a design professional’s advice first.
It’s our job as designers to discover the hidden potential and possibilities of your space, to help you invest well in the right places, and to align your home with your life. With a designer by your side, you’ll feel confident moving in the right direction. (And that goes double for renovations!!)
If you’re ready to reimagine your space, I'd love to help. Reach out to me here, and let’s chat about your dreams for your home.
