Signature Spaces Part 1: How to Create Interiors with Impact
One of the biggest perks of building a custom home is having the ability to create an exterior with curb appeal that’s completely suited to your style. However, since the interior is where you spend the most time, it’s equally important to make sure it feels like home. And not just any home...your home. Fortunately, there are various customization and decor options at your fingertips!
Today, we’re going to cover a few tips for creating interiors with impact, particularly in parts of the home that often go overlooked when it comes to design. Read on to learn how you can turn these spaces from basic to beautifully reflective of you!
Mudrooms
Your mudroom may not be the first room you think of when it comes to interior design. However, that doesn’t mean that it can’t have a nice upgrade. Believe it or not, there are many things you can do with this space aside from adding a few shelves to store shoes and coats:
Make it comfortable. If you don’t already have one, consider adding a small bench with a storage area where visitors can sit down to take their shoes off or put them back on. Incorporate decorative pillows to add that classic Lowcountry charm.
Make it pop with paint or wallpaper. To make your mudroom more memorable, add decorative wallpaper or a splash of color.
Make it a part of your home. Yes, your mudroom is already a part of your home, but does it look like it? As you decorate the rest of your house, bring some of those design elements into your mudroom to create a seamless transition between spaces.
Make it kid-friendly. If you have little ones, install low-hanging hooks along the wall that they can reach to put up their jackets or backpacks. An added cubby system also works wonders for separating gear for multiple kids or storing outdoor toys.
Make it pet-friendly. If you have pets, the mudroom is a great place to keep their food, travel carriers, and more. Better yet, you can have a dog washing station installed to clean up your furry friend’s paws after a day in the dirt!
Make it dirt-friendly. It’s called a mudroom for a reason, right? After spending time on the beach or along the May River, you’ll likely find that a lot of dirt has been tracked into this part of the home. So, if you’re up for it, consider utilizing darker flooring and grout that's specifically designed for high-traffic areas. When it comes to choosing benches or cubbies, go for items made with easy-to-clean materials. Installing a utility sink is another great way to help minimize messes.
Of course, you can never go wrong with installing shelves, built-in cabinetry, or an additional coat closet to maximize your mudroom’s storage. That way, you won’t be forced to stare at your puffy winter jacket all summer!
Reading Nooks
The best reading nooks are comfortable and well-lit, but there’s more you can do to make this cozy spot spectacular:
Add storage for accessories. If you prefer to read while cuddled up, add cabinets or drawers to store blankets and additional pillows near your nook.
Turn your nook into a hideaway. Many reading nooks are built to stand out as their own small spaces, but you can also have them blend in with the rest of your home. Mimic the surrounding area with decor, wallpaper, paint, and more. Alternatively, you can add a decorative curtain or sliding door on the outside of your nook so you can get lost in your book without interruption.
Create a charging station. Whether you prefer a paperback or your Kindle, additional outlets are useful for plugging in a lamp and charging your phone, tablet, or laptop. Consider incorporating a built-in charging station, or add a small side table with outlets to provide the power you need.
Create a nook for your books. Keep your favorite reads within arm’s reach with added shelving.
Home Office
How you decorate your home office is integral to how organized and productive you’ll be during work hours. Keep these tips in mind for creating a beautiful—and focused—workspace:
Take advantage of the space you have. It’s easy to fill up a home office with a big desk and chair, so consider using the vertical space overhead for your storage needs. Floating shelves or vertical filing systems are great for keeping things neat.
Keep things simple. A house plant or two, candles, and your favorite pieces of artwork are all you really need to make your office feel design-minded. Save the majority of your decor budget for the rooms of your house where you gather with guests and as a family.
Add some color. By default, you may want to leave your home office a simple color, like beige, to simulate a traditional workplace. However, there’s nothing wrong with adding a pop of color to at least one of the walls. A good rule of thumb is to choose earth-tone colors, like blues, greens, and grays. You’re less likely to get distracted by these colors, and they have a relaxing effect too.
Media Room
Out of all the rooms we’ve covered so far, the media room is likely where you’ll entertain the most visitors. With that said, here are some ways you can impress guests—before your movie or latest Netflix binge even starts:
Make it comfortable. Invest in furniture that makes it easy for you and your guests to sit back and relax. Add soft pillows and throw blankets into the mix for ultra-cozy movie nights.
Use LED lights to make your flatscreen pop. Consider adding LED lights around the back perimeter of your TV to give it a nice, eye-catching glow. Some lights can even pair with your smart TV to echo the colors featured on the screen.
Turn your media room into a theater. If you want to use your space for movie nights, consider adding a wine bar, minifridge, or snack station in the back of the room to avoid long trips to and from the kitchen. (You’ll never have to pause a movie again!)
Add ample storage space. Add shelving to store family home videos, movies, and media devices.
Follow our Instagram for more home building inspiration, and grab interior design ideas on our newest account: @furnishbyshoreline! We’ll see you there.
