How to Avoid Sacrificing Style for Function in Your Home

People never need to limit their style preferences when seeking functionality in living spaces. Modern trends lean heavily toward combining style and functionality to make homes more efficient and optimized for better living. Additionally, interior designers and lifestyle experts focus today more on these trends than ever before. Consider the following affordable ways you can avoid making any sacrifices:

Pick Materials Wisely

You can find plenty of budget-friendly construction materials that serve an intended function without skimping on style. For example, instead of buying expensive granite or marble for durable, long-lasting countertops, consider a low-cost engineered stone option like quartz resin since it doesn’t require as much intensive and expensive maintenance. If you can’t afford either, several laminate and solid surface counter products do a fantastic job of mimicking natural stone. With laminate, you can even replace damaged sections far more easily and less expensively than with any other option.

Photo by Housing First Minnesota

Replace Outdated Fixtures

One of the simplest ways that you can update your home and maintain both style and functionality is with simple fixture replacements. For example, if you want to update a traditional kitchen with a more modern style or the reverse, you can quickly do so by swapping old cabinet hardware. Another example: When you want a modern kitchen or dining area, replace an old-fashioned ceiling fan that features wooden blades with a White Ceiling Fan. Several new white ceiling fan products have a clean modern appearance and geometric blade shapes. They also run more efficiently with fewer total blades.

Photo by Josh Wynne Construction

Choose Blended Storage

Many people believe that they’re limited when it comes to storage options. For example, some homeowners and renters think that the only efficient, low-cost rolling storage option for a kitchen or bathroom is a plastic rolling cabinet. Yet, unless the theme for the space requires a lot of plastic decorative items, this type of storage stands out in a negative way. On the other hand, cabinetmakers and other cabinet installation experts can install inexpensive rolling pantry and slide out shelf storage units with front panels that blend in perfectly with the existing or updated exteriors of the surrounding cabinets.

Photo by MAINE COAST KITCHEN DESIGN

Pick Multi-Functional Options

Decades ago, many traditional kitchen island designers didn’t fully take into account how people use islands. A cook would usually have to search the kitchen to find a cutting board, throw away trash or access spices and condiments. Multi-functional options serve more than one purpose in a home. Newer island designs incorporate hidden, slide-out boards, trash bins and spice racks. These designs also offer unrelated features, such as glass-enclosed side bookcases for family books and games and under-counter stool space to create a breakfast bar. Additional examples include a wall box safe or security panel box hidden by a cover designed to display artwork or collectibles. The exterior adds to the room’s decor while serving a hidden, unrelated function.

Photo by Jennifer Lane Architecture & Design

As you can see, it’s not difficult to combine style and functionality in a home. You merely need to research your options and choose carefully the ones that seem like they can match your budget and unique situation. Additionally, never feel pressured to make every change immediately. Start small with one or two low-cost changes in a single room and then carefully extend the updates room-by-room over time.