2019 is in full swing, and trends and technology developments are ever-increasing. Whilst some of us strive to have an element of rustic charm about our home, there’s no denying that for many, adding modern design features is a must around the home.
You can of course mix rustic and modern to great effect, something we like to think we’ve done with our own home (here are some tips to balancing rustic and modern interior design).
Whether it’s via the medium of tech, or you’re just looking to make your home decor a little more up-to-date, there is something for every home, and you can utilise the best of what’s out there. Here are 3 ways to begin to modernise your home.
Utilise Space
In modern home design, everything is about space, and maximising space was a big focus of our approach to building our new house. Whether you use some clever storage ideas, or you just utilise your space to the best of its potential, you really need to think about this in every stage of your decor process, and indeed every room.
For example, what elements of your home could you elevate, rather than letting them take up valuable floor space? Be clever about lighting to eliminate the need for excess floor lamps, and look into unique storage ideas that allow you to make your home feel cleaner, and more organised.
Don’t be afraid to open up your home, whether this is by removing a door (so long as building control have no issue here if you are a new build) or knock through a wall to create a sense of greater space in your home. We have an open plan kitchen, living, dining area as the main entrance to our home and it has become a great area to entertain, and very spacious.
Think About Image
Again, creating a modern feel in your home is really about image, and ensuring that everything is as clean cut, and clever, as it can be. You could, for example, have completely white walls and light colored furniture, but then use a piece of art or a mirror as a great focal point in your space.
Whilst you can still maintain a feel of minimalism, you can also express your personality, and bring the focus onto where it matters: the art and image, rather than the furniture. There are many other ways to create a modern image, such as wood siding on balconies, and simple but effective solutions with lighting, two things we have opted for outside our home to provide a modern exterior.
Modern Technology
The defining factor of the modern home is how technology is utilised, in order to improve the ease of living your day-to-day life. For example, there are apps that allow you to control your heating remotely, and you can also use technology to turn your lights on and off, without having to even flick a switch.
You can also use security systems that allow you to see who is calling your doorbell, and you can use your phone to talk to them, too. Think about the tech that could really help you to live your life in a better way, and invest in that where you can. It’s a great way to bring your home into the present day!
We’ve invested in great tech solutions for our heat and water ensuring we don’t even have to think about turning them on – the systems know when the house is cold and heating needs turned on. While this isn’t exactly anything new, it helps provide a modern feel to our home, and having previously lived in a home without central heating (due to the age of the home), this was a must for us when looking at our home.
This included underfloor heating in our main downstairs living spaces – again, nothing new, but this restricts the need for radiators on the walls in these rooms, helping us to achieve a clean, modern finish.
What Are You Waiting For?
So, if you’re looking to bring your home into the present, why not try out these simple tips! From utilising your space and creating a modern image, to using technology wisely to improve your day-to-day living, there are so many ways that you can benefit, and your home will look great, too!
Have fun making your home a little more up-to-date!
Helen, Nial and Lewis
Welcome to Pikalily, an award-winning food, travel and lifestyle blog. We are Nial and Helen, a happily married couple from Northern Ireland, who share a passion for food and travel among many things. We became parents to our beautiful boy Lewis in 2017. Follow our adventures through the blog.
