The dream of a picture-perfect home is more prevalent than ever. There are countless tutorials on home improvement projects that promise to help you achieve that sleek, clean, and impossibly white vision you have in your mind. However, if you look closely at those pictures, you may find yourself wondering how in the world someone actually lives in that space.
The Pinterest dream is a noble pursuit, but the reality is that many of those inspirational photos don’t take into account the everyday needs of homeowners. In order to have those pristine countertops, you need cleaning supplies (and somewhere to store them), and as beautiful as that living room layout seems, chances are good you’d like a TV somewhere or a place to put your coffee while you sit.
There’s a balance between the Pinterest dream and a home that’s actually livable, and it can be done in a way that’s both aesthetically pleasing and functional—it’s just a matter of creativity.
- Carefully Choose Furniture Size and Shape
When you’re looking at your home and determining how you want to furnish it, think carefully about the size and shape of what you decide to purchase. For instance, if you have a small dining area, a large, long farm table may not be the best use of space. A smaller, round table, however, could still fit four people comfortably and take up significantly less space. You can use the extra space for storage or another piece of furniture you’d like to have, like a buffet or china cabinet.
- Strategically Organize for Easy Access to Things You Need
No one likes having multiple remotes sitting on their coffee table, but the fact of the matter is that you likely need all of them to enjoy the features of your home entertainment system. Hiding these may seem like the obvious thing to do, but that doesn’t make it easy for you to grab one if you suddenly get the urge to watch TV after you’re already comfortable on the couch. Instead of hiding the things you need on a regular basis, organize them in a way that allows you to easily access them. Put a decorative basket on your coffee table where you can store the remotes or get a side table with a drawer where they can go without being an eyesore.
- Maximize Storage in Small Spaces
It seems that no matter how hard you try, you can never have enough storage. This is especially true if you have a smaller space. According to House Method, you can maximize storage in these areas by installing shelving and taking advantage of any height you have. If the space is out in the open, use decorative storage bins to keep things looking tidy and in sync with your overall decor.
- Find Furniture that Serves Multiple Purposes
If you only have one spare room in your home but you’re trying to decide between a home office or guest room, consider using furniture that serves multiple purposes. You can invest in a sofa sleeper so that when you’re working, you have a comfortable place to sit, but when your relatives come to visit it can easily be converted to a bed so they have a place to sleep. Finding pieces that are both functional and in line with your aesthetic will help make your entire home work for you in various ways.
- Simplify and Minimize
One of the best ways to keep your home functional is to ensure you aren’t filling it with clutter and unnecessary things. Go through your home room by room and determine if everything you have is useful. If you’ve been storing a dresser in a spare room for years but have no real use for it, donate it! You’ll save space and make room to fill it with something you love and will serve a useful purpose. Living minimally doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice everything to have that Scandinavian look you see online; it just means you’re filling your home consciously with things that work for you.
Functionality in a home is essential because as much as we’d all love to live in a pristine home, we’d never be able to actually do anything in it. By thinking outside of the box and getting a little creative, you can have the look you want and a space that allows you to live life the way you want to.