Family Mudroom Designs

The family mudroom is, without question, one of the highest traffic areas in the home. It battles all sorts of external elements, from rain and snow to dirt and mud. It houses countless miscellaneous essentials, including shoes and boots, jackets, umbrellas, scarves and more. It is home to pet necessities and sporting equipment. It's where kids drop their backpacks and parents discard car keys or unload shopping bags.

For all these reasons, when planning the family mudroom design, it's important to select interior finishes wisely, maintaining organization while also personalizing the space for the entire family.

Select Smart Interior Finishes

Choose a satin or semi-gloss paint as opposed to a flat finish. These options make cleaning a much easier task. Also, if you've got pets and younger children in the home, consider selecting a darker wall color instead of a lighter one that will show even the slightest bit of dirt or discoloration.

Flooring will probably be the most critical decision you make regarding interior finishes for your family mudroom. Choose a weather-resistant surface that is also easy to maintain and keep clean. Ceramic tile, wood, or natural stone varieties such as slate make great durable options. Add an area rug at the entry for taking off soiled shoes and to help absorb moisture.

Organization Through Design

Individual lockers or cubbies for each family member are a great way to keep personal items separate and tidy. Large wall hooks are an inexpensive option for organizing jackets and handbags, and custom cabinetry or closets are fantastic if the budget permits.

A bench of some sort is a must for putting on shoes, and don't forget to utilize the space beneath for added storage. Wicker or cloth baskets come in a variety of sizes and colors and are a great way to keep scarves, hats or even pet toys organized in a stylish manner. 

Consider wire baskets or even galvanized tubs to capture a rustic, vintage look. Don't forget to use your vertical wall space for added shelving and additional orderly storage opportunities.

Key hooks ensure house keys and car keys are accounted for at all times and a central docking location is a great way to guarantee cell phones and tablets are charged up as family members rush out the door to begin their busy days.

Go Ahead, Personalize It

Organization doesn't have to be dull! Mudroom design for a family should take into account each family member and their individual needs and interests. If you decide to utilize personal cubbies or lockers, choose fun paint colors that complement each personality. Instead of labeling wicker or fabric baskets in a traditional manner, consider inserting photos of Dad, Sis or even Fido to define ownership in a fun way and further inspire tidiness.

When designing a mudroom for your family, remember to make wise decisions and remain organized. Be sure to have some fun in your selections as you create a personal yet functional space.

For more tips and tricks, and all things design, check out our Pinterest page! 

Interior Decorating, Farmhouse - Style

Farmhouse décor offers a relaxed, casual and charming feel. It perfectly combines old and new elements for an eclectic look. A farmhouse interior is warm and inviting while also being practical.

Whether you're a true country dweller or simply love the look and feel associated with its laid-back style, bring the charm of the farm to your home.

Design Elements

Natural design elements are heavily represented in farmhouse homes. Exposed and distressed beams and ceilings are common features along with crown moldings, wainscoting or other wall paneling.

Natural wood flooring is a must. Leave them plain or consider giving the floors or wood wall paneling a whitewashed or distressed look. Also, incorporate oversized windows where possible. Farmhouse homes tend to let natural light flood their interiors.

A Farmhouse Kitchen

A modern farmhouse kitchen remains warm and inviting yet practical. Choose between either clean or weathered whites for cabinetry and dishware. It's also common to refurbish cabinets and choose colors such as buttery yellow or pale blue.

Butcher block countertops are also a farmhouse favorite, and an apron-front sink screams farmhouse kitchen. Consider incorporating some glass cabinetry to neatly showcase some of your antique favorites, and include open shelving to easily access essentials such as pots and pans or mason jars filled with flour or sugar. These elements will add charm while still remaining practical.

In open floor plans, a large wooden dining table enhances the inviting and classic qualities of farmhouse style. Stainless appliances and hardware in bronze or brushed nickel add subtle modern touches.

Furnishings

Consider browsing antique shops or flea markets for special pieces such as large iron bed frames, wardrobes, buffets, chests or hutches. Focus on blending eclectic items as opposed to purchasing furniture in sets. For example, an oversized wooden dining table is a must, but consider adding mismatched rustic chairs to enhance the casualness associated with farmhouse décor.

Living room furnishings should be welcoming and relaxed. Comfortable cotton sofas are often seen adorned with simple slipcovers, which again enhance a sense of informality. Accent with a reclaimed or reupholstered chair, chairs made from other natural fibers such as wicker, or even a classic wooden rocker dressed with a hand-stitched quilt.

Farmhouse Décor

When fine-tuning your farmhouse décor, remember to incorporate vintage pieces that were also utilitarian such as old milk jugs or wire egg baskets. Display antique china in refurbished, weathered hutches, and consider antique pitchers in lieu of a modern vase. Use clear or colored mason jars to store everyday essentials or display cut flowers or tea lights. Antique scales or canister sets can be charming additions to exposed shelving. Old wooden milk crates, wicker baskets, and galvanized metal buckets or watering cans add immediate rustic charm. Frame vintage photos in eclectic frames and add antique signs, mirrors or clocks to walls.

Replicate farmhouse style in your home, and craft a relaxed environment that exudes incomparable charm.

For inspiration, be sure to check out our Pinterest page for tips, tricks, and visual design! 

Your Local San Diego Real Estate Expert,

How To Decorate A Home Office

Whether you work from home or are simply interested in a dedicated space to manage the monthly bills, respond to emails, or work with your children on schoolwork, crafting an environment based on personal needs can be accomplished regardless of the space available. Create a home office with your specific design needs in mind.

Keep it Bright and Vivid

You need to be alert and attentive while in your home office. Consider a bright color scheme utilizing white as a backdrop and vivid shades of orange, pink or yellow that support energy and optimism.

If you have a demanding job, shades of blue, green or even purple may be a better option as they create a more calming environment.

Furnishings and Décor for Your Home Office

There are a few obvious needs when planning for a home office, with a desk and chair topping the list. Carefully select these items based on allotted space and your personal needs. If you work from home, you may require a larger desk to house items such as reference books, files, a printer, or fax machine. If you simply desire a space to respond to emails on your laptop, then a smaller desk should suit you just fine. Choose an ergonomically-designed chair to promote better posture and efficiency if your home office is your sole place of work.

If you're fortunate to be provided natural light and a view of the outdoors, position your desk to take advantage of this. Add adequate task lighting to create a comfortable workspace.

Keep your home office tidy and organized in order to maintain efficiency. Consider cabinetry or shelving, and add labeled baskets for increased organization.

Keeping décor to a minimum also helps maintain organization. Add items such as houseplants or a small water feature to encourage a sense of calmness and increased well-being. A few framed photos of your favorite loved ones also inspire a less stressful environment, and displaying some personal achievements or awards inspire a positive work attitude and sense of pride.

Be Creative with the Space You've Got

If square footage is at a premium and you aren't afforded the benefit of dedicating an entire room to your home office, get creative. Utilize an oversized closet or carve out a nook in the corner of a room, adding built-ins or floating shelves. Space under stairways is often wasted. Consider utilizing this space, which is also out of the way of foot traffic.

Whatever your personal demands for a home office may be, regardless of square-footage restrictions, enjoy creating a custom home office space that suits your individual demands.

For more home office design insipiration, check out our Pinterest page! 

Your Local San Diego Real Estate Expert,

Home Design Trends For The Season!

If you’re like me, you’re already thinking of how to retire your spring and summer home and get it ready for the cooler months! So if you are ready to get out of that summer funk, and “fall” into a new home design for a while I’ve got you covered with these predicted Winter 2014 Home Design Trends!

Interchangeable Accents

Instead of settling on one fixed look, it looks like trends are heading towards a versatile neutral base and big-impact accents. A popular predicted color for fall? Chameleon! (Not to be confused with the Pokémon character, either!)

Glamour It Up

Move over white walls, 2014 is all about drama and glamour! So dark walls in black and greys will be the perfect backdrop for fall, and easily transition into winter! Add in some metallic accessories and a crystal chandelier, and you’ll be good to go!

We Love VINTAGE

With an overexposure to vintage in 2014, one of a kind pieces are highly sought after. And what’s not to love about vintage pieces, especially when you have guests asking “where did you get that?!” Vintage pieces go great with all that glam on the walls, too

Goodbye, Beige

With all those interchangeable accents and vintage pieces, it may finally be the end of beige…we hope.

Blossoming Prints

Tried and true fabrics are popping up all over fashion this year. Mix them with other graphic patterns for a very modern look!

Metals and Metallic

Remember that we’re glamouring it up for fall? Mix and match metallic (like silver and gold) with a  little bit of metal to really get the look you’re going for!

It’s All About That Navy

Navy blue has been a huge trend so far this year. Once we get into the cooler months, you’ll want to darken the place down a bit. Navy hues and patterns will be all the rage this fall. From rich, saturated colors to bright, vibrant shades, keep it constant even until next spring!

Have a trend you just love?! Email it to me and I’ll feature it on our blog! Admin@NissouRealty.com., And for more fall trends, check out my Pinterest page at Pinterest.com/NissouRealty

Your Local San Diego Real Estate Expert,