Our 2018 Home Design Resolutions

A new year brings the opportunity to reflect and make resolutions to improve you and your life – and now your home! Here at The Idealist we have compiled a list of design dos and don’ts for 2018 to help you enhance your surroundings and everyday life.

Do’s

HIIT (with a difference)

You’ve heard of HIIT (high impact interval training), well this is HIIT for the home (high impact interval tidying). Short bursts of tidying followed by periods of active rest will help you start to sort and organise pockets of your home you have otherwise ignored or hated. Your home should be a place you love so by tackling these problem areas in small bursts at a time is an achievable way to declutter your life.

Be a conscious shopper

An increasing number of designers, manufacturers and retailers are working with sustainable and environmentally conscious products, so be a curious consumer. Find out where and how items have been made and from which materials and techniques. You can do your bit for the planet and have items in your home that look good too.

Rethink lighting

It’s time to upgrade and update the feel of your home through the power of effective lighting. Interior designers often cite lighting as being one of the most important elements of a space as it sets the tone and creates ambience in a room. From statement pieces to lightbulbs and fittings, there are many options available to help you brighten up your home.

Find your style

Make 2018 the year that you stick to your design principles and create a home that truly reflects you and your style. It can seem overwhelming seeing so many products and interior images but, here at The Idealist magazine, we carefully curate ideas, features and shopping finds to help you achieve your #interiorgoals.

Don’ts

Impulse buy

You’ve seen the latest must-have accessory/gadget/peice of furniture for the home but before you rush to buy these think ifit will work with your home as a whole? Take time to research what you want to achieve in a room or particular area rather than buying on impulse.

Have a chairdrobe/floordrobe

It’s time to stop over-piling clothes onto a chair that spills onto the floor. Invest in (or start using) storage that you actually want to use and you’ll see the benefits in your crease-free clothes and a tidier space.

Colour of the year

So, you’ve decided to redecorate in the lastest colour of the year? Don’t rush into making large scale commitments that are essentially a trend (as the name suggests, there will be another one next year). Research how the colour can be used and if it fits with your current colour scheme and home as a whole.

Get tempted by insta-interiors

Before you attempt to recreate a room seen on social media, remember that these are often highly stylised photos that don’t always represent reality. Use these as inspiration and starting points for your home rather than attempting the exact look.

You May Also Like

• Get The Look: Relaxed dining for winter suppers
• Inside a beautiful Crouch End Family Home
• Mead House – Reconfiguring the Heart of the Home

All photos courtesy of Unsplash and Pexels

The post Our 2018 Home Design Resolutions appeared first on The Idealist.

from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/2018-home-design-resolutions/

from The Idealist Magazine https://theidealistmagazine.tumblr.com/post/168919286178
from Tumblr https://spencerthorpe.tumblr.com/post/168919705929

Our 2018 Home Design Resolutions

A new year brings the opportunity to reflect and make resolutions to improve you and your life – and now your home! Here at The Idealist we have compiled a list of design dos and don’ts for 2018 to help you enhance your surroundings and everyday life.

Do’s

HIIT (with a difference)

You’ve heard of HIIT (high impact interval training), well this is HIIT for the home (high impact interval tidying). Short bursts of tidying followed by periods of active rest will help you start to sort and organise pockets of your home you have otherwise ignored or hated. Your home should be a place you love so by tackling these problem areas in small bursts at a time is an achievable way to declutter your life.

Be a conscious shopper

An increasing number of designers, manufacturers and retailers are working with sustainable and environmentally conscious products, so be a curious consumer. Find out where and how items have been made and from which materials and techniques. You can do your bit for the planet and have items in your home that look good too.

Rethink lighting

It’s time to upgrade and update the feel of your home through the power of effective lighting. Interior designers often cite lighting as being one of the most important elements of a space as it sets the tone and creates ambience in a room. From statement pieces to lightbulbs and fittings, there are many options available to help you brighten up your home.

Find your style

Make 2018 the year that you stick to your design principles and create a home that truly reflects you and your style. It can seem overwhelming seeing so many products and interior images but, here at The Idealist magazine, we carefully curate ideas, features and shopping finds to help you achieve your #interiorgoals.

Don’ts

Impulse buy

You’ve seen the latest must-have accessory/gadget/peice of furniture for the home but before you rush to buy these think ifit will work with your home as a whole? Take time to research what you want to achieve in a room or particular area rather than buying on impulse.

Have a chairdrobe/floordrobe

It’s time to stop over-piling clothes onto a chair that spills onto the floor. Invest in (or start using) storage that you actually want to use and you’ll see the benefits in your crease-free clothes and a tidier space.

Colour of the year

So, you’ve decided to redecorate in the lastest colour of the year? Don’t rush into making large scale commitments that are essentially a trend (as the name suggests, there will be another one next year). Research how the colour can be used and if it fits with your current colour scheme and home as a whole.

Get tempted by insta-interiors

Before you attempt to recreate a room seen on social media, remember that these are often highly stylised photos that don’t always represent reality. Use these as inspiration and starting points for your home rather than attempting the exact look.

You May Also Like

• Get The Look: Relaxed dining for winter suppers
• Inside a beautiful Crouch End Family Home
• Mead House – Reconfiguring the Heart of the Home

All photos courtesy of Unsplash and Pexels

The post Our 2018 Home Design Resolutions appeared first on The Idealist.

from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/2018-home-design-resolutions/

from The Idealist Magazine https://theidealistmagazine.tumblr.com/post/168919286178
from Tumblr https://spencerthorpe.tumblr.com/post/168919705929

Our 2018 Home Design Resolutions

A new year brings the opportunity to reflect and make resolutions to improve you and your life – and now your home! Here at The Idealist we have compiled a list of design dos and don’ts for 2018 to help you enhance your surroundings and everyday life.

Do’s

HIIT (with a difference)

You’ve heard of HIIT (high impact interval training), well this is HIIT for the home (high impact interval tidying). Short bursts of tidying followed by periods of active rest will help you start to sort and organise pockets of your home you have otherwise ignored or hated. Your home should be a place you love so by tackling these problem areas in small bursts at a time is an achievable way to declutter your life.

Be a conscious shopper

An increasing number of designers, manufacturers and retailers are working with sustainable and environmentally conscious products, so be a curious consumer. Find out where and how items have been made and from which materials and techniques. You can do your bit for the planet and have items in your home that look good too.

Rethink lighting

It’s time to upgrade and update the feel of your home through the power of effective lighting. Interior designers often cite lighting as being one of the most important elements of a space as it sets the tone and creates ambience in a room. From statement pieces to lightbulbs and fittings, there are many options available to help you brighten up your home.

Find your style

Make 2018 the year that you stick to your design principles and create a home that truly reflects you and your style. It can seem overwhelming seeing so many products and interior images but, here at The Idealist magazine, we carefully curate ideas, features and shopping finds to help you achieve your #interiorgoals.

Don’ts

Impulse buy

You’ve seen the latest must-have accessory/gadget/peice of furniture for the home but before you rush to buy these think ifit will work with your home as a whole? Take time to research what you want to achieve in a room or particular area rather than buying on impulse.

Have a chairdrobe/floordrobe

It’s time to stop over-piling clothes onto a chair that spills onto the floor. Invest in (or start using) storage that you actually want to use and you’ll see the benefits in your crease-free clothes and a tidier space.

Colour of the year

So, you’ve decided to redecorate in the lastest colour of the year? Don’t rush into making large scale commitments that are essentially a trend (as the name suggests, there will be another one next year). Research how the colour can be used and if it fits with your current colour scheme and home as a whole.

Get tempted by insta-interiors

Before you attempt to recreate a room seen on social media, remember that these are often highly stylised photos that don’t always represent reality. Use these as inspiration and starting points for your home rather than attempting the exact look.

You May Also Like

• Get The Look: Relaxed dining for winter suppers
• Inside a beautiful Crouch End Family Home
• Mead House – Reconfiguring the Heart of the Home

All photos courtesy of Unsplash and Pexels

The post Our 2018 Home Design Resolutions appeared first on The Idealist.

from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/2018-home-design-resolutions/

from The Idealist Magazine https://theidealistmagazine.tumblr.com/post/168919286178
from Tumblr https://spencerthorpe.tumblr.com/post/168919705929

Breathe life into unused spaces in your home

Do you have unused spaces in your home? Perhaps there’s a guest room only used a few times a year, a bay window or an under stairs space that could be utilised differently and more effectively. Many homes have untapped spaces, corners and rooms but through thinking about these in a different way, people can live better rather than feeling they need to live bigger. Here at The Idealist magazine, we’ve gathered together some interior ideas to help you tackle those tricky spaces and transform pockets of your home.

How do you use yours?

Think about how you use your home. Do you use every room or are there some spaces and neglected areas? Identify specific needs or wants, such as wanting a specific place for a hobby or a place to retreat with a good book, and see if these can be incorporated in any unused areas.

Redefining spaces

Don’t be afraid to redefine space depending on how you choose to live. Period properties, for example, were built in a very different way compared to how we live today, but breaking away from traditional room uses and taking a fresh look at the spaces in your home can help you work out what you want and need.

Furniture reshuffle

If your furniture stayed in the same place since the day you moved in, try different positions or room layouts to see if it makes a difference. Entrances and hallways can be changed from a functional area to smart welcoming space by adding furniture such as a narrow table or sideboard and smart storage for coats, shoes and accessories.

Reading spaces

A library or reading area can work in even smallest of spaces, such as under the stairs, as all that is required is shelving for books and somewhere to sit. Make use of wall mounted shelves to clearly define the space and a comfy chair and cushion will create an irresistible reading nook for book lovers to escape to.

Home office

Thanks to slimline laptops and monitors, home office areas can fit into shallow spaces such as alcoves and shelf style desks. Clutter kept to to a minimum with clever storage and cable management solutions creating stylish discrete working areas.

Add greenery

A quick and easy way to bring life into forgotten areas is by adding indoor plants as they breathe fresh air into your home whilst removing air pollutants. Plants create a link with the natural world outside and add interest, colour and shape too.

Spare outside spaces

With fewer cars being kept in garages today and an increasing number of sheds being transformed into more usable spaces, many homes have gained valuable extra rooms. These can been turned into office spaces, spare rooms, gyms, utility rooms, studios or teenage getaways to name a few possible uses.

The ideas above demonstrate by making a few small changes, you can maximise the potential of your home, creating new and inspiring spaces that work for you and your life.

You May Also Like

• Get The Look: Comfy sofas for cosy winter lounging
• Online Christmas Gifts for the interior design lover in your life
• How to create a home bar (even if you live in a small space)

All photos courtesy of Unsplash. Featured Image by Wendy Leat.

The post Breathe life into unused spaces in your home appeared first on The Idealist.

from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/breathe-life-unused-spaces-home/

from The Idealist Magazine https://theidealistmagazine.tumblr.com/post/168781446748
from Tumblr https://spencerthorpe.tumblr.com/post/168782216444

Breathe life into unused spaces in your home

Do you have unused spaces in your home? Perhaps there’s a guest room only used a few times a year, a bay window or an under stairs space that could be utilised differently and more effectively. Many homes have untapped spaces, corners and rooms but through thinking about these in a different way, people can live better rather than feeling they need to live bigger. Here at The Idealist magazine, we’ve gathered together some interior ideas to help you tackle those tricky spaces and transform pockets of your home.

How do you use yours?

Think about how you use your home. Do you use every room or are there some spaces and neglected areas? Identify specific needs or wants, such as wanting a specific place for a hobby or a place to retreat with a good book, and see if these can be incorporated in any unused areas.

Redefining spaces

Don’t be afraid to redefine space depending on how you choose to live. Period properties, for example, were built in a very different way compared to how we live today, but breaking away from traditional room uses and taking a fresh look at the spaces in your home can help you work out what you want and need.

Furniture reshuffle

If your furniture stayed in the same place since the day you moved in, try different positions or room layouts to see if it makes a difference. Entrances and hallways can be changed from a functional area to smart welcoming space by adding furniture such as a narrow table or sideboard and smart storage for coats, shoes and accessories.

Reading spaces

A library or reading area can work in even smallest of spaces, such as under the stairs, as all that is required is shelving for books and somewhere to sit. Make use of wall mounted shelves to clearly define the space and a comfy chair and cushion will create an irresistible reading nook for book lovers to escape to.

Home office

Thanks to slimline laptops and monitors, home office areas can fit into shallow spaces such as alcoves and shelf style desks. Clutter kept to to a minimum with clever storage and cable management solutions creating stylish discrete working areas.

Add greenery

A quick and easy way to bring life into forgotten areas is by adding indoor plants as they breathe fresh air into your home whilst removing air pollutants. Plants create a link with the natural world outside and add interest, colour and shape too.

Spare outside spaces

With fewer cars being kept in garages today and an increasing number of sheds being transformed into more usable spaces, many homes have gained valuable extra rooms. These can been turned into office spaces, spare rooms, gyms, utility rooms, studios or teenage getaways to name a few possible uses.

The ideas above demonstrate by making a few small changes, you can maximise the potential of your home, creating new and inspiring spaces that work for you and your life.

You May Also Like

• Get The Look: Comfy sofas for cosy winter lounging
• Online Christmas Gifts for the interior design lover in your life
• How to create a home bar (even if you live in a small space)

All photos courtesy of Unsplash. Featured Image by Wendy Leat.

The post Breathe life into unused spaces in your home appeared first on The Idealist.

from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/breathe-life-unused-spaces-home/

from The Idealist Magazine https://theidealistmagazine.tumblr.com/post/168781446748
from Tumblr https://spencerthorpe.tumblr.com/post/168782216444

Breathe life into unused spaces in your home

Do you have unused spaces in your home? Perhaps there’s a guest room only used a few times a year, a bay window or an under stairs space that could be utilised differently and more effectively. Many homes have untapped spaces, corners and rooms but through thinking about these in a different way, people can live better rather than feeling they need to live bigger. Here at The Idealist magazine, we’ve gathered together some interior ideas to help you tackle those tricky spaces and transform pockets of your home.

How do you use yours?

Think about how you use your home. Do you use every room or are there some spaces and neglected areas? Identify specific needs or wants, such as wanting a specific place for a hobby or a place to retreat with a good book, and see if these can be incorporated in any unused areas.

Redefining spaces

Don’t be afraid to redefine space depending on how you choose to live. Period properties, for example, were built in a very different way compared to how we live today, but breaking away from traditional room uses and taking a fresh look at the spaces in your home can help you work out what you want and need.

Furniture reshuffle

If your furniture stayed in the same place since the day you moved in, try different positions or room layouts to see if it makes a difference. Entrances and hallways can be changed from a functional area to smart welcoming space by adding furniture such as a narrow table or sideboard and smart storage for coats, shoes and accessories.

Reading spaces

A library or reading area can work in even smallest of spaces, such as under the stairs, as all that is required is shelving for books and somewhere to sit. Make use of wall mounted shelves to clearly define the space and a comfy chair and cushion will create an irresistible reading nook for book lovers to escape to.

Home office

Thanks to slimline laptops and monitors, home office areas can fit into shallow spaces such as alcoves and shelf style desks. Clutter kept to to a minimum with clever storage and cable management solutions creating stylish discrete working areas.

Add greenery

A quick and easy way to bring life into forgotten areas is by adding indoor plants as they breathe fresh air into your home whilst removing air pollutants. Plants create a link with the natural world outside and add interest, colour and shape too.

Spare outside spaces

With fewer cars being kept in garages today and an increasing number of sheds being transformed into more usable spaces, many homes have gained valuable extra rooms. These can been turned into office spaces, spare rooms, gyms, utility rooms, studios or teenage getaways to name a few possible uses.

The ideas above demonstrate by making a few small changes, you can maximise the potential of your home, creating new and inspiring spaces that work for you and your life.

You May Also Like

• Get The Look: Comfy sofas for cosy winter lounging
• Online Christmas Gifts for the interior design lover in your life
• How to create a home bar (even if you live in a small space)

All photos courtesy of Unsplash. Featured Image by Wendy Leat.

The post Breathe life into unused spaces in your home appeared first on The Idealist.

from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/breathe-life-unused-spaces-home/

from The Idealist Magazine https://theidealistmagazine.tumblr.com/post/168781446748
from Tumblr https://spencerthorpe.tumblr.com/post/168782216444

Tiny Homes: A small way to save the planet

What have we learned from the tiny home trend?

The trend of downsizing to a tiny home or living as a minimalist is a growing trend in the UK, originating from the US in the late nineties. Regarded as a social movement, it is a way to live a simpler, greener and cheaper life. With numerous headlines citing the UK’s housing crisis and the difficulty for those finding funds for a house deposit, moving into smaller homes seems like an ideal solution. So what can we learn from those who have already made the change?

An alternative to the traditional property ladder

For many people in the UK, getting on the property ladder is a not an option due to increasing property prices and the rising cost of living. The tiny homes philosophy embraces living with what is only truly essential in a property the size of a large shed. These cabin style homes can be built in numerous places, such as an unused garden space, often without the need for planning permission (but obviously in conjunction with the owners: many tiny homes are built in the gardens of other family members for example).

Financial savings

With drastically reduced maintenance and running costs, not to mention the price of a tiny home (from around £10,000), living in a small space is a way to live with less financial pressure or an opportunity to save money. Some people are choosing to downsize from large homes that they simply don’t need to small studio spaces or cabins to suit a less materialistsic lifestyle.

A greener way of life

These small footprint homes are fully insulated and energy efficient making them ideal for those wanting to live a greener life and to reduce the human impact on our planet. This is one solution to creating sustainable homes in our environmentally conscious world.

Minimalist living

Living in less than 40 square metres requires only having essential items and getting rid of anything else that doesn’t serve a purpose. We all live in a world of consumerism but this way of life forces minimal living as there literally isn’t the space for anything else.

Healthy mind

Living with less clutter is also good for the mind, as many tiny homers attest having achieved a simpler, more down to earth way of life. It’s a case of decluttering your home and your mind resulting in greater clarity with every remaining item being valued and appreciated.

Mutlifunctional interiors

With limited space inside theses tiny homes, the interior has to work practically and efficiently. Sleeping areas are often located in otherwise tricky roof spaces as standing space isn’t necessary and  clever storage solutions are incorporated into the design with under the floor space and wall surfaces being utilised.

Flexible living for modern life

The tiny home movement isn’t just for those wanting to downsize for financial, environmental or minimalist reasons, it can also work as an extra space for family and friends, students, office space or a potential B&B income. Tiny homes are available in a range of options from build-it-yourself kits to bespoke pre-made cabins ready to be craned into position, proving that bigger isn’t necessarily better.

You May Also Like

• Five Clever Ways to Make the Most of a Small Home
• From a one to a two-bed in this small-space duplex
• Planning a Small-Space Dining Room

All photos courtesy of Tiny House Listings & Unsplash.

The post Tiny Homes: A small way to save the planet appeared first on The Idealist.

from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/tiny-homes/

from The Idealist Magazine https://theidealistmagazine.tumblr.com/post/168534720893
from Tumblr https://spencerthorpe.tumblr.com/post/168534762889

Tiny Homes: A small way to save the planet

What have we learned from the tiny home trend?

The trend of downsizing to a tiny home or living as a minimalist is a growing trend in the UK, originating from the US in the late nineties. Regarded as a social movement, it is a way to live a simpler, greener and cheaper life. With numerous headlines citing the UK’s housing crisis and the difficulty for those finding funds for a house deposit, moving into smaller homes seems like an ideal solution. So what can we learn from those who have already made the change?

An alternative to the traditional property ladder

For many people in the UK, getting on the property ladder is a not an option due to increasing property prices and the rising cost of living. The tiny homes philosophy embraces living with what is only truly essential in a property the size of a large shed. These cabin style homes can be built in numerous places, such as an unused garden space, often without the need for planning permission (but obviously in conjunction with the owners: many tiny homes are built in the gardens of other family members for example).

Financial savings

With drastically reduced maintenance and running costs, not to mention the price of a tiny home (from around £10,000), living in a small space is a way to live with less financial pressure or an opportunity to save money. Some people are choosing to downsize from large homes that they simply don’t need to small studio spaces or cabins to suit a less materialistsic lifestyle.

A greener way of life

These small footprint homes are fully insulated and energy efficient making them ideal for those wanting to live a greener life and to reduce the human impact on our planet. This is one solution to creating sustainable homes in our environmentally conscious world.

Minimalist living

Living in less than 40 square metres requires only having essential items and getting rid of anything else that doesn’t serve a purpose. We all live in a world of consumerism but this way of life forces minimal living as there literally isn’t the space for anything else.

Healthy mind

Living with less clutter is also good for the mind, as many tiny homers attest having achieved a simpler, more down to earth way of life. It’s a case of decluttering your home and your mind resulting in greater clarity with every remaining item being valued and appreciated.

Mutlifunctional interiors

With limited space inside theses tiny homes, the interior has to work practically and efficiently. Sleeping areas are often located in otherwise tricky roof spaces as standing space isn’t necessary and  clever storage solutions are incorporated into the design with under the floor space and wall surfaces being utilised.

Flexible living for modern life

The tiny home movement isn’t just for those wanting to downsize for financial, environmental or minimalist reasons, it can also work as an extra space for family and friends, students, office space or a potential B&B income. Tiny homes are available in a range of options from build-it-yourself kits to bespoke pre-made cabins ready to be craned into position, proving that bigger isn’t necessarily better.

You May Also Like

• Five Clever Ways to Make the Most of a Small Home
• From a one to a two-bed in this small-space duplex
• Planning a Small-Space Dining Room

All photos courtesy of Tiny House Listings & Unsplash.

The post Tiny Homes: A small way to save the planet appeared first on The Idealist.

from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/tiny-homes/

from The Idealist Magazine https://theidealistmagazine.tumblr.com/post/168534720893
from Tumblr https://spencerthorpe.tumblr.com/post/168534762889