Deliberate design

Simplifying your space can promote calm.
1042
Via Design interior design room partial
Courtesy Via Design

Few moments are more satisfying than coming home. After the workday is complete and commitments have been upheld, we’re rewarded with a familiar and comforting space. Our homes reflect who we are and how we live. It’s a place that holds our favorite things, whether they are possessions or people.

Simplify your space

As our days get busier and more stimulated with screens and technology, our homes are the solace we need from all of the activity. It’s the space we use to recharge and relax. If our living space is cluttered, it will add to the visual noise. When we have less stuff, we have less to distract us from a calming home environment.

In recent years, we’ve seen a shift to a more minimalist design style. Made popular by the recent book and Netflix show,

“Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” the concept of simplifying and decluttering the home has been proven to transform our living spaces and, subsequently, our lives. When we remove clutter and distraction from our homes, we make room to focus on the things that really matter.

Be deliberate

Simplifying your home doesn’t mean that you need to get rid of your favorite piece of furniture or favorite accessory. If you remove meaningful pieces from your living space, it will feel less like home. Simplifying means being intentional about the pieces you choose to keep. The idea is to avoid visual noise while still retaining sentimental selections throughout the design of your home. Recognize the pieces you love, then be deliberate about which pieces you choose to use.

“Instead of displaying every framed photo you own, be selective and sort through the ones that are most meaningful. If you are not ready to part with some of your accessories, simply rotate them seasonally,” said Valerie Schmieder, principal interior designer at Via Design.

Keep your traditional pieces

Modern furniture follows the minimalist design approach using clean lines and sleek surfaces. It’s unadorned, visually light and easy to register. However, a completely minimal room also can feel stark and cold. By incorporating a few unexpected traditional pieces, you add personality and uniqueness. The space is no longer a cookie-cutter design, and the result reflects individual characteristics.

For clients seeking a minimalist style, Schmieder starts the design process with pieces that are most meaningful to the client. A traditional wood-carved chest looks like a sculpture when used in a modern setting.

“When displayed in a contemporary design, traditional pieces become the art of a room,” Schmieder said.

Aricka Gannon is the marketing and communications coordinator at Via Design, a full-service design firm specializing in architecture, interior design and furniture design. Via Design serves Grand Rapids and the West Michigan community with projects ranging from interior residential to large-scale commercial.

Facebook Comments

Previous articleA snowy weekend itinerary
Next articleEditor’s pick
Aricka Gannon is marketing and communications coordinator at Via Design, a full-service design firm specializing in architecture, interior design and furniture design. Via Design serves Grand Rapids and the West Michigan community with projects ranging from interior residential to large-scale commercial.