There’s a fine line between a home that looks good and a home that actually works… you’ll want rooms that reflect who you are, of course, but they’ve also got to function for the way you live, and that’s vital. Finding that balance can be really interesting and quite enjoyable if you go about it the right way, and the results should be impressive too. 

Designing a space that’s both practical and personal doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve got to compromise on anything as long as you make good choices, think about the small details, and use what you’ve already got in clever ways. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about how to design practical spaces with a personal touch.

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Photo by Blue Bird

Think About How You Live

Before you can do anything at all, even planning, you’ve really got to take a moment to think about how you use whatever space it is you want to decorate. Perhaps there’s a lovely sunny area that you think might work well as a reading spot, for example, but it might also be the place where your children like to play, so you’ll need to think again – and there are many more examples similar to that. 

The fact is that practical design, which is basically what you’re doing, is all about asking the right questions, and thinking about the problems you want to tackle. So where do things tend to pile up? What’s always getting moved out of the way? Are you always searching for the same things over and over? These are useful clues that can tell you what’s working in your home and, crucially, what isn’t. 

The idea isn’t to design a home that’s totally perfect and looks like something out of a magazine, but instead you’ll want to create something that fits your day-to-day life without making it stressful or cluttering things up, so that’s what you need to focus on. 

Don’t Get Ahead Of Yourself 

You don’t usually need to rip everything out and start again, and in fact, most of the best spaces start with what’s already there and build up – it’s easier, less stressful, less time-consuming, and less expensive. So start by taking a look at your layout – could furniture be moved to open things up? Are there awkward gaps that could be used in a better way? Is lighting helping the room or actually creating more shadows and darkness? 

Very often, just rethinking how things are laid out and positioned can make a world of difference, and a better layout can instantly make a space feel calmer and more useful – and you’ll be able to enjoy it so much more. 

From there, the materials and finishes you choose can help turn practically anything into something personal. You’ll want to pick durable fabrics in colours you love, paint that’s easy to clean but still works with your style, and furniture that, if possible, does more than one thing – that way you’ll probably get some extra storage or at least a more practical home in other ways. 

Let Personality Lead

Once you’ve got the structure in place, this is where you can have some fun and start adding personal touches that really do mean something to you. Photos are a good place to start if you’re not sure what to add, and then you might want to add some books, artwork (even if it’s just a child’s drawing), and so on. Remember, you’re not aiming to impress anyone, so that’s not the thought you need to have – you just want it to be what you want it to be. 

Color can be a big part of this too, and there are loads of different options. You might decide you want to have mainly neutrals with one bold wall, for example, or perhaps you love the idea of deep greens and oranges, but just for accents. Paint is one of the easiest ways to show your personality without losing practicality, and it’s flexible so you can change things if you change your mind at any time. That’s part of what makes DIY painting projects for South Africans so popular – there’s a way to be creative, but it’s also cost effective and you can put your own stamp on a place, so what’s not to like about that? 

Don’t Forget The Details 

The little things you add to a room are quite possibly the ones that will have the biggest impact in the end, so you can’t forget about the details because they really count. One key thing to remember is that functionality doesn’t have to be boring, and if you can make a room look better at the same time as being able to use it in a more practical way, that’s all you need. 

Texture is something you might want to consider when it comes to the details – mixing soft fabrics with wood, metal with ceramics, and so on, gives your space a lot more interest and depth, and makes it more enjoyable to be in. And you don’t need a massive budget either, because even some small swaps and changes like new cushion covers or a vase or perhaps a rug can make everything look new and the entire atmosphere of a room can change for the better. 

Keep It Realistic 

It’s tempting to aim high, and we’ve all scrolled through inspiration boards and wished we could have it all… but the thing is that real homes are built on real life, and that could mean you’ve got a small space or a small budget or not much time to do things. The fact is, you can still create something that works for you, no matter what your situation is. 

Start with one room or just one corner or a wall and try things out – move things around, paint a shelf, adding some art, change the light bulb… you’ll be amazed at how even small changes can make the world of difference in a very good way. 

This is a contributed post.

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