Is your schedule too packed? Is your home overstuffed? You’re not alone! The challenge of creating an interior design for a busy life that still meets the demands of our busy lives is one many people face, especially when life gets busy.
However, with a few clever design decisions and some organisational tips, you can craft a sanctuary that replenishes your energy — not zaps it — even on chaotic days.
Now, imagine this: you come home after a chaotic day. Instead of walking into mounds and clutter creating chaos, you walk into a peaceful and orderly space. Sounds impressive.
And just like that, we have both found the magic of interior design for an intended purpose! It goes beyond merely splashing beautiful upholstery; it is about designing a place that can cater to your lifestyle while filling you with happiness. Let’s explore how to do that — even with a busy schedule.
How to Create An Interior Design for a Busy Life
Declutter Your Way to Zen
Decluttering is the basis of a peaceful and functional home. It is about releasing anything that does not serve you and making room for what counts.
- Refrain from overcomplicating it: start from where you are. What are you not using for months? The old magazines, clothes you no longer wear, that kitchen gadget you never used – ditch them all! Get rid of it, turn it into cash, dispose of it — and experience the relief (both from cluttered countertops and tension).
- Everything has its place: After you reduce the volume, focus on storage—baskets, bins, and shelving — your new best friends. So the most significant thing is knowing where everything should go. Then everything is easy to put away, and you never end up with that “explosion of clutter” that happens when life gets busy.
- Digitization & Decluttering: Most things can be digitized in this digital paper age as long it saves space. As for critical documents, scan them; for photos, use cloud storage; for books, opt for an e-book rather than a paperback or hardbound copy.
Apply the ‘one in, one out’ rule — To keep a tidy space, implement the one in, one out. If you get something new in the house, throw away something of the same kind (and no use).
Multi-Purpose Furniture (Because So Are You!)
If you’re like me and are busy doing everything in the world from home now, every piece of furniture should be pulling its weight. Enter multifunctional pieces that come to the rescue! They are like the superheroes of the furniture kingdom, compacting and helping your life become a bit smoother.
During the day, it is a sofa; at night time, it is changed to bed. A beautifully stylish yet compact futon or sofa bed may be an answer for small areas if you receive guests regularly. You sit on it to lounge, and then you can convert it into a bed. For design inspiration, look at something like IKEA’s FRIHETEN sofa bed.
- Sneaky secret-storage savers: Ottomans or poufs with hidden storage, coffee tables with drawers — in other words, beds with built-in shelving. These clever storage options allow you to stay organized without losing aesthetic appeal. Wayfair has storage ottomans [dead link] to spare in every style possible.
- Convertible furniture: Opt for pieces that can serve you in multiple ways. Something like the transformer table, a console table that folds into a dining table, or nesting tables that you can separate if you need extra surface space.
Wall-mounted desks – A desk that folds away can save you in a smaller space.
Storage Space Advantages in Small Spaces
Utilize every inch of available real estate! If you get creative, small spaces in your home can be used for storage.
- Under-bed bonanza: That space under your bed is prime real estate! Take advantage of out-of-season garments, spare bedding, or anything you don’t use daily with rolling drawers or bins. The Container Store has several under-bed storage options.
- The door hangers: Make the most of your closet with door shoe organizers or hanging racks. These are also perfect for bathroom items or crafting supplies.
- Wall-mounted: Clear some floor space, mount your shelves to the wall, or use a pegboard for tools or jewelry, with the latter being even better!
- Verticals: In the kitchen, always appreciate the power of vertical shelf risers to make more space in a cabinet. You can install a pot rack to hang pots and pans, saving you some drawer space.
- And Entry Way Station: Grab in one spot locations for your keys, mail, and bags by your entryway. This can be something basic like a small console table with a drawer and a dish for keys.
Materials Designed for Easy Living
It means how do you continually clean and maintain those? Not you! This is why using suitable materials matters.
- Forgiving Floors: Hardwood floors are lovely but attract all dirt particles. Opt for low-maintenance materials such as laminate, vinyl, or tile. They’re uncompromising and straightforward to clean! One common type is the luxury vinyl plank flooring style, which requires less maintenance and looks more like hardwood.
- Stain-repellent textiles: When life happens, and it will, especially when one is busy. Select fabrics for your furnishings that will resist stains and be easy to wipe off. Think about materials like microfiber or leather or a performance fabric like Crypton.
- Countertops that Stand Tough: Choose countertops immune to spills and dents in the kitchen. Good choices are quartz, granite, and solid surface materials.
- Low-maintenance backsplashes: Use backsplashes that are easy to clean in the kitchen, such as tile or glass.
- Washable rugs: For higher traffic areas, choose machine-washable rugs for easy clean-up.
Create Your Calm Oasis
Your home needs to be where you retreat from the chaos and craziness. How to set up a soothing ambiance:
- Swatches with cool hues: Gentle colors such as blues, greens, and neutrals convey peace and tranquility. Apply them to your walls, furniture, and accessories.
- Textiles for coziness: Soft blankets, plush rugs, and comfy pillows. These touchable features encourage you to be with your feet up.
- Aromatherapy does magic: scents to calm you. Fill your space with a soothing ambient aroma using essential oil diffusers or scented candles. Good options include lavender, chamomile, or vanilla.
- Appropriate Natural Light: Give good sunlight through the windows by not blocking them to keep them neat and using sheer curtains. Exposure to natural light can help promote both positive moods and a feeling of spaciousness.
- Natural Growth: Invite nature inside with greenery. We cannot deny how some plants beautify your space, help in air purification, and make you feel relaxed.
Tech Up Your Life
The Tech Which Can Be Your Best Friend If You Want to Make Life Simple.
The smart home superheroes: A smart thermostat, such as the Nest Learning thermostat, can learn your schedule and change the temperature when you are not home to save energy and money. With bright lighting, you can control the lights even when not at home by switching them on or off.
- Voice Assistants — use a voice assistant, such as Alexa or Google Assistant, to remind you of things, play music, or order groceries.
- Imagine a coffee maker you can turn on or an oven you can preheat through your phone. Plus, many of those appliances now come with app connection features that do even more to make your life easier. Look for intelligent appliances from Samsung and LG.
- Robot vacuums — A robot vacuum is an absolute godsend for busy individuals like you. It can automatically clean your floors while you are at work or shopping.
Your Superpower: Being Organized
Carrying balls and juggling at the same time will make sure you stay organized.
- Command Central: Your Life Management Headquarters. It could be a desk in your home office or a corner of your kitchen counter where you set up an organizer that will hang on the wall.
- Digital calendar: Use a digital calendar, such as the Google or Apple Calendar, to manage appointments, deadlines, and social events. Remember to keep in touch by setting reminders.
- Hashtag magic and meal planning: Plan your meals for the week ahead of time and shout them out on social media. This saves you time, reduces stress, and gives you healthy meals when you’re low on time. Digital meal planning — Use things like Mealime or Plan to Eat.
Yes, even your physical space is not the only place that needs decluttering; Your digital life does too! Get Rid of Unnecessary Emails; Organize Files on Computer and Delete Unused Apps
Don’t Hesitate to Seek Assistance
Image: Samantha Cube – Even the most organized people sometimes need help. Talk to somebody about how you feel, friends and family or a professional, whatever it takes.
- Professional organizers: If you are overwhelmed by clutter, seek a professional organizer who can help you declutter, organize, and implement systems that work for you. You can search the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) for professional organizers in your area.
- Interior Designer: A designer will help you to make the space stylish and double-functional in every sense. They can also assist you in selecting the right furniture, fabrics, and accessories to suit your lifestyle.
- Cleaning services: You can opt for a cleaning service if you need more time to clean your home. That could save you much time to pay attention to other things!
Small Space, Big Style
Are you living in a small apartment? No problem! Now, here comes some helpful advice to help you with space optimization:
- Open floor plan: An open floor concept can create the illusion of a more spacious and entirely airy abode, and some experts suggest that even if your property is small, you can design it this way.
- Bright and bright: Cram your walls and furniture with mild colors to lend a hand and give the impression of being like an extra area.
- Mirrors: Mirrors can reflect light and create an illusion of space in a room.
- Vertical storage: Use vertical space for shelves, bookcases, and wall-hung cabinets.
Minimalism: Less is More
If you lead a busy life, minimalism is your ideal design philosophy. Essentially, it is simplifying — to pursue things that matter.
- Simplify and Trim: Remove any unnecessary items you have that are no longer being used.
- Choose quality over quantity: Buy a few pieces of furniture you enjoy.
- Use a neutral color scheme – use a neutral color scheme to create a soothing and harmonious feel.
- Allow for void: A blank wall or an empty corner will do in your home. A calm atmosphere can be produced.
FAQs for Busy Bees
How do I make my small apartment feel so much bigger?
Mirrors, light colors, and multi-function furniture & decor! They reflect light and give the appearance of a larger space — mirrors singing mirror colors on walls and furniture make the room airy and spacious, like a sofa or a coffee table, then a double table rather orange to make every inch count.
Which quick and easy ways can help me upgrade my home’s styling?
A few personalized throw pillows, a piece of art or two, and some plants will go a long way in decorating your loft home. Just these simple touches can go a long way! Or, you can change the order of your furniture to make it look fresher.
What’s the most important thing I can do to keep my home organized?
If I could only do one thing to keep my home organized? Establish a routine! Always put something that you have done away. If you tidy for just 10 minutes a day, clutter never takes over.
Your Home, Your Haven
Keep in mind that your home is your place of comfort. Your home should be where you feel de-stressed, recharged, and comfortable. With these tips, you can create an interior design for a busy life.