It doesn’t matter how large your family home is, it can seem to always feel crowded. Whether it’s the usual number of suspects or you’re hosting a big family gathering. Making space can be a real challenge and not just in terms of storing physical “things.”
Making sure your home can accommodate and be inclusive of all members of the family is sometimes not about storage space at all, but making sure everyone feel comfortable, welcome, and able to be themselves.
If you worry about whether your house feels like a home for all that live there or visit, then these tips could provide a helping hand.
Make the common areas feel welcoming
Though you may have a loving family environment, some homes just don’t feel as welcoming as others. It could be the result of bad design or poor lighting, but instead of feeling open and inclusive, they feel stuffy and claustrophobic.
In order to make the communal parts of your home more welcoming, you can start by getting rid of any unnecessary walls to create a more open-plan living space.
You can still keep some kind of divider between the living room and the dining area, for example, but make it an archway rather than a full wall – that way your home feel more airy and welcoming.
Make sure that your living room is a space for all members of the family to enjoy. Use it for a variety of activities, from entertaining guests to hosting you children’s birthday parties.
Also, try to fill the area with objects that relate to the whole family.
Use a current promotion, a Shutterfly promo code you can get a great deal on a wide range of objects that you can customize with images that are chosen by all members of the family. That way everyone can feel like they own a little piece of the shared areas.
Don’t forget how wonderful a thoughtful DIY project can be.
Let everyone have their own space
In addition to making the most of your home’s communal areas, it’s important that each family member has a place to call their own.
For some, having their own bedroom is enough, but others may need a man cave (or she shed), personal office, or a home gym.
Each member of the family will have their own unique interests and some will deal better with distractions than others. If you want your home to have something for everyone, then a bit of personal space is essential.
Don’t forget the outdoors
If you have outdoor space, then don’t forget the crucial role that this can play in the dynamic of your home.
The garden can provide the perfect outlet for members of your family to relax on a sunny day, take part in a bit of gentle exercise or have friends over for a barbecue.
In order to get the most out of your outdoor space, however, make sure that you keep it well maintained, even if you just cut the grass every once in awhile.
Whenever you’re coming up with interior design ideas, remember that your family home needs to suit everyone that lives there.
Although compromises may need to be made, if you think about each individual’s wants and needs, you can create a family home for all to enjoy.
