How to Balance Beauty & Function in your Home
A common decor issue when starting a room makeover is finding a balance between beauty and function within a space. Of course, we all want to have a stylish room filled with beautiful decor but without properly establishing function, you’ll likely be left with a space that looks more like a model instead of a warm and inviting home. With proper planning and a list (of course!) you can make your decor work for you while still prioritizing function as much as aesthetics.
Where To Start…
1. Focus On Function - First, I focus on the function of a room. I consider how and what a room is going to be used for and write each desired function down. For example, your living room is a place where you relax but also where your kids play. Or if you’re like me, It may also be a place you work.
2. Define Decor Solutions - Next, I think of decor solutions for each of those functions. Referring back to our living room example, I know that i’ll definitely need a TV in the space along with proper seating for everyone to enjoy. I’ll also want to get some baskets to hide any toys after the kids are done playing (or in my case, when Kinsley is done playing lol).
3. Style It Up - Finally, I gather all the decor I have that could work in the room and start shopping for the rest. Since I have a list of the room functions and solution options it makes shopping a lot easier and more cohesive in style.
After completing my living room makeover I felt it was missing something right behind my couch. When Romeo walks in the door, he will throw his keys on the back of the couch or I’ll end up finding them somewhere in the kitchen (basically everywhere they don’t belong). I also needed something that would protect the back of the couch and, most importantly, keep Kinsley from jumping off the couch! My solution was to DIY an entryway table that met all of our function needs without compromising style. (watch my DIY Entryway Table tutorial HERE)
If I’m designing a small space, function becomes so important to make sure the space is being properly utilized. When I designed my office/storage/guest room makeover (watch HERE), I had to make sure every part of the space was properly planned out as it was serving so many functions:
Office space
Guest Bedroom
Storage for my DIY supplies
First, I carefully measured for potential desk space so it didn’t take up too much room, but was large enough to work on. Next, I wanted this room to double as a guest bedroom but didn't have enough space for a real bed. I found this beautiful, light-colored sofa bed from Living Spaces that folds out into a queen-sized bed. Finally, I tackled storage solutions. I exposed my frequently used DIY supplies by hanging peg boards on the walls and using hooks and containers to hold my brushes, yarn, and other tools. I concealed camera equipment and fabrics by putting them in beautiful woven baskets. Built shelving and drawers into the closet AND added a rolling drawer unit for even more DIY storage.
Making sure your furniture and decor elements work together to serve a function will allow your home to feel like a well-thought-out and cohesive space. I hope this blog helped you in balancing beauty and functionality in your home. Let me know in the comments other decor dilemmas you need help solving.
XO, MaCenna