Are thinking of remodeling or redesigning your home and need some inspiration?
Since the dawn of time, how we build and style our homes has always evolved, usually in line changing cultural or environmental issues of the day. Most recently, the most notable changes have been a growing sense of individualism, the covid pandemic and environmental concerns. Here, we offer 5 tips to help you in your journey towards designing a home you can enjoy living and working from.
1. Design inspired by sustainability
At some point in the recent past, the term “sustainability” became a trendy buzzword – everyone was trying to save the world. However, over time it became apparent that building and styling our homes using thoughtfully sourced materials was not only stylish & fashionable, it was also cheaper in the long run. While Interior design has become more modern, there has been a notable infusion in natural textures and colours, use of raw stone, wood & sisal to liven up spaces and add an earthy richness.
2. Home Offices & Wellness Rooms
The pandemic years were tough but they also helped reshape our set ways of living and working. We were forced to rethink and adapt our lives, our homes and our work spaces. For most the homes became a fortress and home designers created spaces that were functional as well as restful. This for the most part meant segmenting the home to also serve as a work space. For busy professionals raising a family and working from home, the personalized home office became a place to foster creativity, promote productivity and focus.
As the pandemic releases its string hold on the globe, maintaining our emotional and mental health is now an issue that is better understood. Relaxing spaces within the home away from our chaotic lifestyles. A relaxing space does not have to cost much, it can be a well appointed cheap to maintain garden, well thought out balcony furniture or adding some house plants to create a soothing, relaxed and stress-free environment to enjoy after a long day.
3. Use Hand Crafted & Vintage Artifacts
With the increase in environmental consciousness, a sense of uniqueness and individualism, it’s common to find home owners sifting through vintage, antique and handcrafted shops and stores , looking for one-off unique treasures to serve as centerpieces in their homes. These could be carvings, paintings, wall hangings or furniture. These items may be ornamental or will have some significance to the homeowner while helping businesses in the local community.
4. Emphasize a Natural Light and Nature
With the rising cost of energy, incorporating natural lighting as much as possible is a guaranteed way to save money and enhance the space being remodeled. Studies have also found that improving the interior lighting of a home greatly reduced the risk of depression and anxiety and improved overall well being of the occupants. Natural lighting also enhances the colours and vibrancy of a room much better than artificial light. If possible, and without compromising on your privacy consider adding windows that face large parcels of forests and water bodies such as lakes or oceans.
5. Use Textiles to Soften up “Modern Spaces”
In the last few years, the “modern look” has taken a strong hold. However, as the pandemic took hold, most people realized that these spaces lacked personality, were impersonal and very indeed very sterile. To counter this, especially if you are on a budget, consider adding plush fabrics to your decor. Explore with lots of colour and use throw rugs, suede, velvet or cable knits, to create a cosy atmosphere. Homes feel comfortable when they have oversized pillows, floor pooling drapes and fluffy mats. It’s also important to mention that it’s reasobably cheap to switch these out frequently without breaking the bank.
If you are looking for professional interior designers in kenya, we have curated a list of 5 Top Interior Design Companies in Kenya to help you give your home a fresh new look!
