Designing a Home that Supports You Through the Years
When considering any changes to your home design, it’s important to consider how your home space can evolve or transition through future stages of your family’s life. Today I’m going to be sharing tips for designing your home organization systems with the future in mind.
Step #1: Make the Plan Your Top Priority
It’s super important to resist the urge to start making changes before you have a master plan in place. It can feel like things are moving really slowly in the planning phase, but if you’ve ever heard the phrases “measure twice, cut once” or “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” you know that a good plan is worth its weight in gold. Think through your current and future needs as a household and make sure your plan is realistic for your budget as well as your lifestyle and real life family.
Step #2: Draw Functionality into Your Design
Be sure you are building functionality and organization into your home itself. Don’t just think about how things look; you want to be sure your home is working for you! Our family moved into our current home 12 years ago, and the previous owners were some very practical people. We continue to experience the positive results of their good planning, including well-designed closets and plenty of shelving in the garage. A strategically designed space can serve your family well and increase your home’s resale value should you choose to move in the future.
Step #3: Spend Your Money on Superior Finishes
It’s worth investing in quality finishes when those materials are in open view. Be realistic with yourself about how you will feel when you open your kitchen cabinets, your bedroom closet, and other areas of the home that store your daily used essentials. Every time you use these areas of your home, higher quality materials will increase your enjoyment of your space as well as the long-term durability of your home. Once you’ve made a strategic plan, invest in the best quality materials your budget allows so you can enjoy the results for a long time to come.
It’s easy to forget that our current stage of life will not last forever. Young children grow up, family hobbies and activities shift, we may need additional access for wheelchairs or mobility assistance as we age. When you design a home that is set up for a variety of ages and stages, you are investing in the future of your family as well as a home that can welcome people of all abilities and ages. Good design and organizational structure are a fantastic investment in your home’s long-term usefulness and sustainability. It’s worth taking the time up front to make a plan and stick to it; you’ll be able to reap the benefits for decades to come!
If you would like a professional's opinion about designing your home’s organizational spaces, I would love to help. Reach out and let's chat about the options!
Cheers,
Karina
