While images of homes in magazines can appear attractive and idealistic, most families require more organization and storage than what meets the eye. It can be difficult to maintain a home’s appearance while also living and even working there, particularly for families with children or pets.
Many people associate organization methods with unsightly containers and plastic tubs. However, this does not have to be a reality. Organization can be trendy and can fit with a home’s design rather than taking away from it. Our design experts at CRT Studio share some of their most treasured hints in this blog, on how you can maintain order in your home without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.
Achieving Flawless Home Design While Keeping Your Space Livable
Living in a beautiful home does not mean that you can’t have practical items, like blankets, clothes, or plates stored away in your room. Storage and design can work together seamlessly if you keep the following in mind:
- Prioritize functionality. Consider the daily needs and routines of your family when planning the layout and design of your home. This will help ensure that the space is livable and practical for everyone.
- Maximize storage. Incorporate ample storage options throughout the home, such as built-in cabinets, shelves, and closets, to keep items organized and reduce clutter.
- Use flexible spaces. Incorporate multi-purpose rooms, such as a home office that can also be used as a guest room, to maximize the use of space.
- Utilize vertical space. Make use of vertical space by installing shelves or hanging organizers to maximize storage.
- Make use of underutilized spaces. A designer can help you look for underutilized spaces in the home, such as the back of doors, the space under the bed, or the top of closets to add additional storage.
- Create flow. Work with a designer to enhance the layout of the home. Create a natural flow between rooms, making it easy to move from one space to another.
- Incorporate natural light. Incorporate large windows and skylights to bring in natural light, making the space feel larger and more inviting.
- Be open to compromise. Be willing to make changes to your design plan as needed to ensure that the space is livable and practical for everyone in your family.
- Consider ergonomic design. Consider the ergonomic design of the house, like the height of the countertops, the depth of the shelves, the handles and knobs, etc, to make it easy to access and use the space.
- Seek a designer’s help. Consult with a professional designer to help you create a functional, livable, and beautiful home design that meets the needs of your family.
Consider Built-ins for Storage in the Living Room, Laundry Room, and Bedrooms
Built-ins for storage in the living room, laundry room, and bedrooms can include a variety of different elements to maximize storage space and keep items organized.
Your living room can showcase elegant bookcases and chic or modern-crafted shelving units for storing books, knick-knacks, and other items. Wooden cabinets or custom-painted drawers are often used for storing media equipment and accessories.
The laundry room is a great opportunity to optimize functionality. Consider adding well-designed shelving units for storing laundry detergent, fabric softener, and other supplies. Additionally, you can design and install custom cabinets for storing cleaning supplies and tools. Marble countertops with texture are an elegant yet functional way to fold clothes and sorting laundry.
Bedrooms provide more functionality with built-in closets containing shelving, drawers, and hanging space. Consider having a vintage hand-painted vanity to store makeup and other toiletries, and using an ottoman for sitting that opens to contain more storage for other goods. Bedside tables with drawers or shelves can be useful for storing books, glasses, phones, and more. It is advisable to have one on each side of the room to create balance. To have extra storage space, consider building a custom window seat with cabinets or drawers under it.
These built-ins not only provide extra storage, but they also blend seamlessly into the room’s design and can add aesthetic appeal. A professional designer can help guide your projects.
Organization-Optimized Kitchen and Pantry Design
An organization-optimized kitchen and pantry design typically includes features such as pull-out shelves, Lazy Susans, and drawer organizers to maximize storage space. These features also make it easy to find and access items. A pot and pan rack is a great way to free up cabinet space and keep pots and pans within easy reach. Remember to also install hooks, racks, or small shelves on the backs of cabinet doors to store items such as measuring cups, spices, or utensils.
Because the kitchen is typically where a side or backdoor of the house is located, it is possible to designate a built-in desk area. Ideally, this is separate from the cooking area and mainly used for dropping the mail and storing basic office supplies. For the desk area, use the same countertop as the kitchen to make the entire space flow together.
Instead of keeping knives in a drawer, install a magnetic knife holder on a wall or under a cabinet to keep them within easy reach and off the countertop. A designer can help you utilize wall space by installing shelves or a pegboard on the walls to store pots, pans, and other large items.
Other design elements, such as a spacious island or a walk-in pantry, can be incorporated to increase functionality and improve the overall flow of the kitchen. The use of wicker baskets, or fabric bins – ideally labeled – can help to keep pantry items organized and easy to find.
Learn More About Designing Sleek, Smart, and Eye-Catching Rooms
Work with CRT Studio to learn how you can have the ambitious sparse, modern look, or classical French country style that you want without compromising on organizational balance and functionality. Contact Rob Turner of CRT Studio at (407) 440-4446 or rob@crtstudio.com, to plan out your new dream home that meets all of your family’s functional and stylistic needs.