Luxury homes are known for their dazzling aesthetics, but the key to any successful home design lies in the ability to create spaces that also deliver comfort and contentment. Whether you own an opulent villa, a sumptuous country pile, or a chic, contemporary apartment, there are ways to enjoy the best of both worlds. Here are some practical steps to help you inject comfort into luxury living spaces.
Consider materials carefully
One of the golden rules of creating comfortable, lavish homes is considering materials carefully. From fabrics for soft furnishings to flooring materials, it’s wise to think carefully about the materials you use in your home. Aesthetics may be a priority, but you should also consider comfort and the function of the room.
Soft furnishings can add instant impact in terms of the design of the space, but they also play an integral role in setting the mood and creating inviting, welcoming rooms. If you’re designing an informal living room you plan to use for relaxing with a glass of wine and a board game on cozy winter evenings, for example, you want to be able to sink into a couch or an oversized armchair, wrap up in a soft, indulgent blanket and keep your toes warm on a luxurious rug. Explore different textures, think about the overall aesthetic, and touch materials before you buy. Investing in high-quality soft furnishings made from decadent fabrics like velvet, silk, and borg can help you design spaces that not only look fabulous but also check the comfort box.
Experimenting with different materials and fabrics is a fantastic way to channel different trends and transition between the seasons while maintaining a luxe look. When temperatures rise, for example, you can swap heavyweight fabrics for light, natural alternatives, including cotton, linen, chambray, and chiffon.
Use lighting to set the tone
Lighting can transform the look of your home, but it also sets the tone. The types of lights and lamps you choose can help you create ambiance and design spaces that look incredible and provoke feelings and emotions. From bright lights for uplifting, energetic social spaces to soft lighting for tranquil, serene bedrooms, it’s beneficial to think about how you can use lighting to impact the feel of each living space.
When you’re choosing lighting for a luxury home, explore different designs and styles and think about how you use each room and the mood you want to create. Adding different types of lighting, for example, a statement chandelier or ceiling pendant, wall lights, and bijou lamps, gives you options. During the day when you need light to work or cook, for example, you can turn the main lights on. As the day draws to a close and you want to unwind, you can switch on the lamps or wall lights for a more relaxing and intimate ambiance. Adding a dimmer switch is another option for multifunctional spaces, such as living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Soft lighting is helpful for creating relaxing spaces, especially if you’ve had a long or busy day. Recreate a relaxing spa or boutique hotel experience by heading to your luxury en suite for a bubble bath with dimmed lighting or candles, for example.
Get the temperature right all year round
Getting the temperature right in your home is essential for optimum comfort and it can also boost health and well-being. If you live in an area that experiences seasonal changes or extreme weather, it can be challenging to stay warm in the winter and keep cool during hot, dry summers. If you’re too hot or cold at home, it can impact your mood, your ability to get comfortable and feel relaxed, your focus, and your health.
There are several ways to ensure your home feels comfortable all year round, including setting a thermostat, using smart heating and cooling systems, and keeping up to date with AC and furnace maintenance. Maintaining your HVAC systems and installations is an effective way to prolong their lifespans, reduce the risk of faults, lower the cost of repairs and enhance performance levels. If you’re not up to date with routine checks and services, schedule an appointment today. It’s particularly beneficial to prioritize furnace services and repairs during the fall before winter hits and focus on AC maintenance before hot weather arrives in the summer.
Setting a thermostat is a simple and effective way to regulate the temperature in your home. If you choose a temperature, your heating and cooling systems will function when the temperature in your home drops below or exceeds the desired level. If it’s too cold in your home, for example, your heating system will fire up and run until it’s warm enough.
Smart heating and cooling systems enable you to monitor your home environment remotely and simplify functions, such as regulating the temperature, adjusting the lighting, controlling appliances, and securing your home. Using a tablet or your smartphone, you can do everything from turning the heating on to make sure it’s toasty when you get home to dimming the lights ready to relax during the evening.
Explore furniture options
Furniture has a significant impact on the design of our homes but it also serves a function. In many cases, we use furniture for specific purposes. Tables provide space to eat, drink, and entertain and they can double up as desks for work and homework. Bookcases, shelving units, and console tables provide storage and opportunities to display items and exhibit ornaments or decorative pieces. Couches and chairs offer spots to sit, rest, and enjoy the views. When it comes to finding furniture for your home, it’s advisable to consider both style and comfort. You may want your sofa to look sensational, but if you plan to use it day in, and day out, it also needs to be comfortable. You don’t want to find yourself with furniture that looks the part but can’t be used.
In some cases, for example, display cabinets, wardrobes, and ornamental seats, your focus may be purely on looks, but if you’re choosing items to sit on, sleep in, or work from, it’s wise to factor in both aesthetics and comfort. It’s particularly important to test comfort levels when choosing couches, chairs for high-traffic areas, beds, and office chairs. A statement-making bucket chair may look amazing in your brand-new, deluxe office, but if it doesn’t offer support for your back or you find the cushioning too hard, you’ll struggle to concentrate and you may find that your posture suffers. Look for pieces that cover all bases and consider your priorities.
Create cozy areas
Many of us use our homes for many different activities and functions. The modern home often acts as an office, gym, and business base as well as a place to spend quality time with family members, eat, sleep, and relax. Creating cozy, calming spaces within your home is a brilliant way to draw lines between work and leisure time, encourage rest and recovery, and set up areas that allow you to switch off, hang out with loved ones, and escape stressors.
The beauty of designing different zones in your luxury home is that it enables you to cater to every member of the family and actively promote relaxation, de-stressing, and enjoying calmness and serenity. As studies show stress levels are rising, it’s more important than ever to have a space you can retreat to after a hectic day or a long week. Whether you have space for a yoga or painting studio, or you section off a nook of your open-plan living room, you’ll benefit from having cozy spaces that help you switch off, enjoy hobbies, and recharge your batteries.
When decorating and designing peaceful spots in your home, it’s helpful to focus on the color palette, lighting options, and textures. Colors impact the aesthetic of living spaces but they also affect our moods. Bright, bold shades of yellow and orange, for example, will put a smile on your face and boost energy levels, while tones of blue and green make you feel relaxed and grounded. Neutrals are another excellent option for soothing, restful areas. Soft lighting adds ambiance and helps to aid relaxation while cozy textures make zones more accessible while bringing warmth and comfort. The number one commandment of interior design is often to maximize natural light, but if you’re decorating a tranquil corner or a haven for calming hobbies, you can ignore this mantra. Making rooms look smaller and darker can make them more inviting, especially during the winter months.
We often think of luxury homes as wondrous examples of interior design that delight our eyes, but creating a home that functions for your family also means prioritizing comfort. Our homes should be sanctuaries that not only make us feel amazing because they look magnificent but also provide the space we need to relax and experience joy and contentment. If you’re planning a revamp or putting your stamp on a new pad, think carefully about the materials you choose, use lighting to set the tone, and get the temperature just right all year round. Create cozy zones that help you unwind and make the most of quality time together and explore furniture options before you buy.
