Function First Design

Dive into the magic of color theory and transform your space into a masterpiece!

Start with the color wheel— your guide to creating harmony and contrast in your home. Explore complementary colors, which are opposite each other on the wheel and add vibrate contrast, or use them for a statement.

But don’t stop there! Tints, tones, and shades can elevate your space with depth and nuance:
• Tints are colors mixed with white, creating a lighter, airier feel.
• Tones are colors mixed with gray, adding sophistication and balance.
• Shades are colors mixed with black, giving a richer, more dramatic effect.

Experiment with colors schemes to achieve your perfect look:
• Monochromatic: different shades, and tents of one color for a cohesive, elegant feel.
• Analogous: colors next to each other on the wheel for a harmonious, soothing palette.
• Neutrals, balancing bold Hughes with timeless grays, white, and beiges for a versatile and chic backdrop.

Ready to bring color into your home? Let’s design a space that’s uniquely you!

Defining Aesthetics: Dark Academia
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This is very book lover’s dream!
It gives moody library, with the dark colors and warm textures Dark Academia gives any space a mysterious vibe!

Here are a few staples to help you get started in transforming your space into Dark Academia dream:

•Moody Color Palette
-Don’t feel like you’re stuck using black and gray because of the title, you can still use color and achieve this look. Look for more muted tones of whatever color you like. For example; deep plum purples, dark sage greens, rusted oranges, etc.

•Wood Paneling
-Wood paneling can be added through furniture such as bookcases or apothecary tables or through a wall detail such as wainscoting.

•Textures
-Mixing textures is so important, both soft and rough, both shiny and dull. The contrast between the various textures gives the space character and more tactical interest.

•Traditional Furniture Pieces
-Using older inspired traditional furniture helps teleport you to a more magical fantasy environment. Visualize as if you are in the castle or mansion if your favorite book.

•Finally Books!!
-Pretty self explanatory in bringing the intellectual atmosphere.

Organization Hacks: Defining Organizational Styles

Functional:
• Created around your daily routine.
• Discovering specific drop zones within your home and what items serve a purpose in those spaces.
• Finally removing the excess clutter within these spaces that aren’t allowing you to fully get the most out of your routine.
• This process is easily implemented once you discover your personal routine and how you and others move about your home.

Divisional:
• Begins by dividing up your items into like categories.
• Once you’ve created those groups now decide a hierarchical scale for how important each item is to you and how often it is needed.
• Follow this step by weeding out items that you notice are on the lower end of the scale you’ve created and no longer serve a purpose to you.
• You’ll notice the results of this method over time as you continue weeding items out, No instantly.

Hybrid:
• Combination of both Functional and Divisional.
• Pulling from the Functional Style of organizing you continue to base you organizing around your routine. While using from the divisional of slowly over time recognizing items that no longer fit within that routine or ones you have put brown and disgracing of them.
• This has a long term affect on your organization because it will constantly be evolving with you.

Functional Furniture: Comfort vs. Aesthetic

Aesthetic Furniture
• These pieces fit well in low traffic areas, places where not as much time is spent. Therefore the furniture doesn’t require comfortability.
• Examples Include:
- Entryways
- Kitchen Breakfast Bars

Comfortable Furniture
• Leisurely spaces throughout your home create a more homey vibe when comfortable furniture is incorporated. They make the room feel more inviting and make you want to spend time there.
•Examples Include:
- Living rooms
- Dining rooms

In the end, being able to merge both furniture types helps create a cohesive space and balance the aesthetic and comfortability.

Small Space Hacks: Multi-Functional Furniture!

•Wall Mount Desks
- These give you the functionality of an office space without taking up a large amount of square footage.
- They also gives you the opportunity to have a separate space for professional tasks, which has been known to help improve productivity.

•Multi-purpose Kennels
- You no longer have to have unsightly wire kennels for your pets, multi purpose kennels provide all the function of housing your pet with allowing other storage and furniture options as well.
- Hutches, entryway tables, side tables etc. all these and more are great ways to dress up the kennels with added storage to help save space.

•Storage Ottomans & Sectionals
- Ottomans can easily double as a coffee table and with the added storage you can keep blankets and pillows within close reach.
- Storage sectionals are usually smaller in size which make them a good fit for small spaces and with their under cushion compartments allows plenty of storage space for miscellaneous items.

•Expandable Furniture
- Expandable furniture such as tables and benches allow for you to be able to host and house a large group of people. However it also has the ability to contract when the piece is no longer needed.

Having multi-functional furniture is a life saver when you’re battling with square footage! Comment below which one is you favorite! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

Functional Furniture: Entryway Tables

Things to Avoid!!!
• Simplistic pieces
• Single level tables
• These areas are everyday drop zones and without storage or organization become cluttered very quickly!

Things to look for to help prevent clutter!!
• Tables with drawers and cabinets for shoe and accessory storage.
• Counter space so you have a place to easily reach keys, wallets, purses etc. when walking out the door.

If you aren’t able to purchase a new piece, here’s how to update your current entry table!
• Use baskets, bins or other dividers under the table to help organize clutter and shoes.
• Table top organizers can be helpful as well, dividing everyday needs vs other knick knacks.

How to Tackle Clutter??
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We can all feel over whelmed with the amount of clutter we collect over the year.

Here are a few tips to help keep you motivated on you spring cleaning adventures!

•Start Small
-To avoid feeling overwhelmed early on, start by picking one room. By spending 5 minutes a day trying to fill up one trash bag before you finish for the day will make the task seem smaller and in turn be easier to accomplish and keep you motivated for longer!

•Document Your Progress
-Creating a checklist gives you a visual goal to achieve, checking off each box provides you with little motivation boosts every time you finish a task. Also by taking before and after images of the progress you have accomplished is a great tool visualize you achievements.

•Divide & Conquer
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help in this journey. Everyone has a different starting point and it can be overwhelming. Ask a friend, parent, or significant other to help ease the task. Also dividing your stuff in multiple categories to help organize your thoughts, choose what to keep, donate and throw away.
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Defining Aesthetics: Maximalism!
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This is one of my favorites!
Simply put, maximalism is rooted in the idea of “More is more”!

Here are a few staples to help you achieve your maximalist dream:
•Bright Colors & Patterns:
-Either through furniture pieces or wall papers or colors bringing in bright pieces help elevate the space.

•Ornate Accents:
-Even the smallest piece in your space can add character, from door k***s, light switch covers, framed galleries, to candle holders. All these small decorative pieces can make a larger impact on the overall design.

•Statement Pieces:
-These are your larger pieces that are attention grabbers in your space. Adding a wow factor in a maximalist space is a little harder because the space itself has so much going on. However a few ideas on where to start include: Chandeliers and other lighting fixtures, rugs, even couches and tables can be statement pieces!
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Transforming Spaces: Paint Edition
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Transforming you space doesn’t require new furniture or decor, you can creat various illusions simply through paint placement.

Examples include:
-Lowering your ceiling.
-Elongating a room.
-Shortening a room.
-Highlight a specific wall.
-Lengthening a room.
-Narrowing a room.

These tactics alone convert a space into a completely new environment, pairing them along with new furniture layouts will entirely evolve your space!
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Design 101: Apartment Hacks!
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Here a few ideas for renters to upgrade your space without losing that security deposit!

1) Upgrade Your Light Fixtures!
- Changing up your light fixtures is an easy and fun way to show your personality in a new space.!

2) Peel & Stick Wallpaper!
- This is a great way to add pattern and color into your space!
- Fun places to experiment with peel & stick
•Appliances such as: refrigerators, dishwashers, etc.
•Accent Walls
•Cabinets
•Non-textured Ceilings

3) Peel & Stick Tile!
- Just like the wall paper this is a great way to add character and personality to an otherwise bland space.
- Examples of where you could utilize peel & stick tile
• Backsplash
• Over existing flooring
• Bathroom and Laundry room walls

4) Updating Hardware!
- Outlet covers, cabinet pulls, bathroom hardware, hooks and so much more are simple swaps that can make a huge different in any room.
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All these swap can be easily removed or swapped out once you are ready to change spaces, but they also give you the flexibility to make any temporary space feel like a home!