Like a shoe changes the way a woman walks, interior design changes the way we move in our homes
I love this quote because, well, Louboutin shoes, and, because it reminds me of something I've noticed about our homes.
Interior design changes the way we move through our homes
Just like a shoe changes the way a woman walks, interior design changes the way we move through our homes. We don't even notice it happening. Here's an example. I worked with a couple who had a beautiful home with a large living room - a living room that they never used despite the fact that the liked to entertain and needed more space every time they threw a party.
Combining a kitchen, living room, and family room to create one useable space
Why did the room go unused? It was out-of-sight and therefore out of mind. The sole door into the room was off the entry way. You couldn't see the living room from the kitchen, family room, and back yard where the party was happening, and, once you got in there, no one could see you.
We remodeled the living room adding a doorway and creating a strong line of sight between it, the kitchen, the family room, and the back yard. The result? My clients and their guests started using the living room. There were fewer people stuck with no place to sit, and their guests were more comfortable. They could flow easily from room to room without missing the party.
How to identify problems with a room and fix them with good interior design
This is the thing. People will unconsciously avoid rooms that don't meet their needs. Bad lighting, poor traffic flow, uncomfortable furniture, and stale air set our feet moving in a different direction. We'll simply go somewhere else and leave whole parts of our homes unused.
The first time I visit a client's home, I watch how they move through the space and look for clues that tell me their avoiding whole rooms or parts of rooms - rooms with permanently closed doors, furniture that's more than a few years old but shows no sign of wear, that kind of thing.
You can do the same in your home. Are there rooms that you've simply given up? How can you make them back? It can be a simple as adding table lamps so that the room isn't dim and dreary. If it's not an easy fix and you need professional help, set up a free design consultation.
