Design elements add some style and personality to your space – whether you’ve just moved into a new house, or you’ve been living there for a while and are thinking about updating a few areas, it’s worth doing a bit of research before you commit to any changes. Following trends in DIY and interiors can seem like a good idea at the time but could leave you with dated furnishings and wall colors that soon lose their appeal. Don’t worry, though; we’ve got five ideas for classic design elements to add to your home that will stand the test of time.
#1 Bare Floors
While carpets add a certain amount of warmth and comfort to your home, bare floors are the way to go for great design. Not only are they easier to clean and maintain, but they’ll also work with any future interior changes you might make. There is a vast range of options for installing bare floors in your home, from reclaimed floorboards for the eco-lover to engineered wood flooring in shades of oak, beech, and ash.
#2 Statement Windows
When you’re updating your home, it’s easy to think about the inside and neglect any outdoor spaces – but the exterior is the first thing you see, so it’s worth paying attention to things like windows, doors and the garden. Classic windows are a great element to add to your home, and switching uPVC for timber windows is always a good idea. Not only are they more aesthetically pleasing, but they also won’t date or age like the plastic alternatives. Experienced timber window manufacturers will be able to create bespoke designs which fit in perfectly with the style of your house, and you’ll also have various color options as well.
#3 Plenty Of Greenery
Plants and greenery are hands down the best accessory for any home for lots of reasons: they have a wonderful visual impact, and they also help to purify the air and increase the humidity of a room. If you’re not the green-fingered type, don’t worry! There are plenty of plants that are really easy to keep alive with minimal effort; spider plants, ivy, and sansevieria plants just need regular watering once a week or so, while larger plants such as monsteras are also pretty hardy for beginners.
#4 Beautiful Furniture
When you’re choosing furniture, it can be tempting to look for quirky or brightly-colored pieces – especially if you’re aiming to make a statement in a room. This can end up being a costly mistake, however, as any future interior changes could mean your furniture no longer works in your home. So, when you shop for anything large, such as sofas or tables, opt instead for classic designs. Wooden furniture in shades of oak, ash or even whitewash will all stand the test of time, and anything with a mid-century modern feel to it will adapt to any changes you might make at a later date – look for tapered legs, clean lines and gentle curves to get it right.
#5 Effective Storage
Effective storage not only needs to hold anything you want to keep out of sight; it also needs to work well with the style of your home. If possible, opt to have bespoke storage manufactured to fit into existing alcoves and along the entire length of any walls. The most successful storage is the type that you don’t notice! If you’re on more of a budget, try to fit ready-made furniture into your home. The key is to make sure it blends into the background; look for anything with minimal detailing and try to match it to the color of your walls. If this isn’t possible, try to make a feature out of storage – vintage sideboards are now collector’s items and can add real aesthetic value to your home, while accessories such as lidded wicker baskets are great for keeping those smaller items hidden.
I hope you find these 5 great design elements for your home inspiring. Which one is your favourite?
