Let’s face it: every person has an obsession with their home. Whether you’re turning your bedroom into a chill-tastic lounge or dreaming of a kitchen you can cook gourmet ramen in, there’s always work to be done. Welcome to a bit of “The Everyday Architect,” where we will help you follow your Pinterest dreams into DIY reality – minus the lame lectures.
Tiny Space, Big Vibes: Hacks for Redesigning Small Spaces
Have you ever walked into your room, and it has felt like it is closing in on you? Don’t worry, small spaces just require big ideas. Here is how we’re going to make your space work harder without sacrificing style:
Furniture That Multitasks Like You: Ottomans with storage compartments? Desks that fold into the wall? Please! Multi-functional furniture is the overachiever of your room: functional and fashionable.
Think Up, Not Out: Your new best friends will be shelves, hooks, and tall cabinets. Stack it up and keep your floor clear for dance-offs… or just walking. Vertical storage is a smart storage solution, especially for smaller spaces.
Mirror, Mirror: Mirrors = instant space. They reflect light and make your room feel twice as big without doing any demolition. Even better if you can find a rad mirror with a compelling frame to double as decor.
Lighten Up: Soft, airy whites, pastels, or light greys. Sometimes it feels nice to give your room a little deep breathing; try taking yours with light colors! Pro tip: Add pops of color with throw pillows or artwork so you have fun.
Divide and Conquer: Use rugs, lighting, of furniture to create “zones” so you can chill, study, or game. Small area, big organization. Who’s to say you can’t have it all?
How to Sneak Architectural Principles into Your Decor (And You Don’t Even Have to Be Licensed)
Let’s talk architecture… but not the boring textbook kind. Here are some pros’ ways to manipulate design to take your decor and room to the next level:
Balance: Do you have a big couch? Assuming you do because they exist in every room, now have a tall lamp or a large piece of art across the room to balance it. If you think about using balance as a way to keep your room from tipping over (visually), you understand the harmony of design.
Size: Large furniture in a small room NOPE. Tiny decor in a huge space = Double NOPE. The right scale is paramount for a proper room design. The size of the piece is not the issue, more so the size that the piece takes up in the space.
Repeat after me: Patterns and colors, they love to have repeats. If you find a throw pillow that matches your rug, use it. If you notice a pattern in curtains and repeat it in art pieces, that is instant harmony. It’s like your room hums in the same key.
Pick a star: Choose a focal point in the room. It might be that amazing gallery wall or your comfy little fireplace. You want your focal point to be the star while the other furniture is working support. A great focal point can completely tie the room together while still blowing away your guests.
Teamwork makes the dream work: Choose a vibe, and stick to it. Be it bohemian, modern, or cottage. Pick textures and colors that work together, and you will create a masterpiece. Think cohesion, not matchy-matchy.
Renovations 101: Permits, Plans, and Not Losing Your Mind
Renovating is awesome until you hit the paperwork. Nobody likes the paperwork. Take a deep breath—you’re gonna get through it! Here’s a cheat sheet:
Know which hammers you can swing: If you want to paint your walls, awesome. If you want to knock them down, you might need a permit. Look into what kind of renovation is allowed to avoid permits and trouble. Research first, hammer second.
Do your homework: Building codes can vary, Google building codes, or just go to city hall to ask your city for code, just don’t get stuck without a permit. A 2-minute phone call can save you a ton of bad surprises down the line.
Call the professionals (When you get serious): If you plan to mess with plumbing or electrical work, professionals aren’t such a bad idea after all. DIY is fun! But so is playing it safe. Remember how nasty it was to deal with a flooded bathroom or a power outage in someone’s house.
Budgeting like a boss: Plan for every possible added cost along the way. Renovations love throwing the added cost curve-ball, and delays, so be prepared. Pro tip: Budget an additional 10-15 % of your total budget in reserve for unavoidable surprises.
Show and tell: If you have a contractor, it’s important that they share your vision. Let them know what you want. Use mood boards or sketches to make sure work is happening according to your expectations. Communication is everything when you want to get what you want.
Celebrate the process: Renovations take time, take the time to celebrate those tiny cushioned wins—for example, completing demolition, finally choosing a tile, and so on. Celebrating small wins and progress along the way will motivate you to see your vision through.
