5 functional yet stylish home redesign tips
Whether you’ve finally got a foot on the property ladder or you’re more of a casual renter, you’ll be well aware that it takes a little effort to turn a house into a home.
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Whether you’ve finally got a foot on the property ladder or you’re more of a casual renter, you’ll be well aware that it takes a little effort to turn a house into a home. But from forking out for renovation fees to overhauling a property with someone else’s name on the mortgage, this is easier said than done.
In today’s post, we’re showing you how you can revolutionise your interior without having to break the bank.
- Get smart with storage
In an age where technology is very much a part of our everyday lives, more and more homes are seeing an increase in tech usage – and with this comes more gadgets, wires and ‘stuff’ in general. This leads to the need for extra space to store these additional possessions – so how can you find more space in an already busy home?
It pays to do some research if you’re looking for those lesser-known hacks, but we would recommend working room by room. Add clips to any desks to keep charging wires stored neatly away, utilise door hangers in bedrooms, pegboards in the kitchen and the inside of cupboard doors throughout your home to create a touch more space while also keeping things tidy.
- Maximise shelf space
From chunky wooden units to sleek white cabinets, shelving can be incorporated into any room in the home, offering both style and practicality – but are you using it to full effect? While we’re not suggesting you pack your shelves with odds and ends, it’s not unlikely that you’re failing to truly maximise this space.
Before you simply remove items from every surface and transfer them to your shelves, start with a declutter. Ask yourself if your accessories are needed in that room or if they’re adding to the space’s aesthetic. If the answer to both of these questions is no, then consider repurposing them or giving them to charity – rather than storing them on a shelving unit where they’ll simply gather dust.
- Invest in multi-use fixtures & fittings
When it comes to standard fixtures and fittings, move away from thinking that a single furniture item has just a single function. For example, can a footstool double up as a storage unit? Do you need a large dining table or can you invest in a smaller one that folds out or allows chairs to be tucked neatly away underneath?
Beds are an obvious area for space saving, particularly if you have small children and their toys seem to multiply overnight! Mesh nets can also be an effective option for family homes, allowing you to attach them to various walls throughout the house so you can store bath toys, shoes and other objects with ease.
- Upcycle tired furniture
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If you’re creatively minded, you’ll be able to find upcycling opportunities in just about every room in your home. Whether you’re hanging onto used wine bottles and turning them into stylish candle holders or sanding down and repainting tired-looking drawers, a little imagination will go a long way when it comes to redesigning your home.
For items that seem beyond repair, put your DIY skills to the test – you’ll soon find you can achieve more than you first thought. Rather than throwing away a table with broken legs, why not attach it to a wall? This will save space and money, as you won’t need to shell out for a new one. Old sofa cushions can be repurposed to create comfortable dining chairs, while mounted ladders can create additional wall storage – the possibilities are endless.
- Switch up your floor plan
In your quest for a functional yet stylish interior, don’t neglect floor space. Keep in mind that smaller spaces will benefit from less clutter, so, where possible, elevate your home accessories to free up your floor. This could be as simple as switching a floor lamp for spotlights or saying goodbye to free-standing bookcases in favour of floating shelves.
Something as seemingly insignificant as rearranging your furniture or mounting your TV onto the wall can completely alter a room’s aesthetic – so if you’re at a loss as to where to start with your redesign, consider these minor updates first.
Final tips
For homeowners: it’s wise to think in terms of long-term investments. Whether this is laminate flooring that requires little maintenance (as opposed to carpets which can become dirty and worn down more easily) or granite worktops that are designed to stand the test of time in your kitchen, keep the future in mind before you part with your hard-earned cash.
For renters: avoid splashing out on costly updates that you’ll be forced to leave behind when you move on. Consider curtains instead of blinds, (as these can be more easily tailored to fit your new windows) and use protectors on the bottom of furniture to avoid indentations in flooring. This will all serve to help you keep the property looking pristine, without any added expense when you move out.
Content provided by Ian Roberts, PR Executive for Stone Genie, premium quartz, Corian and granite worktop specialists.
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