7 TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR HOME MORE WARM & INVITING
As our dining rooms become our date night hotspots and our homes have become our offices, creating a home you’ll never want to leave has taken on new importance in the last few months. Increased spending on home decorations and at DIY stores people are looking for ways to make the most of their spaces. So we asked three St. Louis home experts to answer the question, “how can I create a warm and inviting home?”
TIP 1: BALANCED OUTDOOR LIGHTING DESIGN
Perry Nassif, Lighting Design & Operations at Frisella Outdoor Lighting, says “Balance throughout your home is key. You don’t want too much light, or not enough light, in one area.” Well-balanced outdoor lighting both creates atmosphere and enhances security and safety. Adding smart controls to your outdoor lighting system is a low-effort way to make the outside more inviting and usable after the sun goes down.
TIP 2: FUNCTIONAL DESIGN IS COMFORTABLE DESIGN
Kim Hibbs, owner and general contractor at Hibbs Homes, says, “To design a comfortable home, you have to think first about how you’re going to use a space, then design around that function.” Designing a home around your lifestyle makes it easier to do the things you love to do. That can mean converting a breakfast room to an art studio to take advantage of natural sunlight or moving a rec room to a room on the main level to make it more accessible – beautiful design is functional design.
TIP 3: CREATE VISUAL CUES WITH LIGHTING
According to Nassif, creating visual cues with landscape lighting makes a home more inviting and allows you to appreciate your landscape no matter the time of day. These visual cues draw the eye to a striking piece of your garden or they can add functionality and safety. Path lighting helps you find your way through a garden and a well-lit doorway or garage makes them easier to find, while spotlights to highlight a favorite tree or piece of landscaping add dimension and interest. “You can draw light toward the front door or any type of entryway that leads to another area by using a higher temperature bulb,” Nassif explained.
TIP 4: BETTER INDOOR AIR QUALITY = A HEALTHIER, MORE COMFORTABLE HOME
Hibbs says custom home they build is designed for comfort – even the air. “Our ComfortBuilt Homes are healthier homes because they have lower allergens, VOCs, viruses, and pollutants while maintaining a comfortable temperature and humidity level year-round compared to conventionally built new homes and the existing homes on the market.” Some ways to create a more comfortable home with healthier, cleaner include making sure your HVAC system is high efficiency and the right size for your home, decorating with real house plants that clean the air, and choosing paints and other materials that are not made with harsh chemicals.
TIP 5: HIGHLIGHT ENTRY WAYS
“Both the design and materials of a front entry and walkway have a great influence on how you perceive or interact with the home or property,” Justin Verbryck, Landscape Design, Frisella Landscape Group, said. “Adding color or texture with pots or urns around your entry is a great way to greet your guests and provide seasonal interest.” You can also highlight entryways by painting the door in a shade that compliments the rest of your exterior while adding a pop of color. Brighter shades can add cheer, while a stunning shade from a neutral palette can create a sense of polish.
TIP 6: PLAN LIGHTING AROUND FUNCTION
“A functional, comfortable home takes into account the primary purpose of a room and has the right lighting to support that purpose and set the right mood,” Hibbs said. Pay attention to the fixture style and light temperature when selecting lighting. Warmer, more yellow-toned lighting that is more diffused is ideal for entertaining spaces and rooms where the primary goal is to relax. Cooler, blue lighting that is more directed is ideal for workspaces like kitchens and spaces intended for reading and studying.
TIP 7: LANDSCAPE, LANDSCAPE, LANDSCAPE
Drew Bradshaw, a designer for The Pool Specialists, said, “Making the pool area warm and inviting is accomplished with the furniture and landscaping.” Landscaping provides an organic movement across the home, creates texture, and softens hard corners. Mature trees provide a sense of enclosure and calm and create shady areas where you can relax. Choosing items for your landscaping that you know how to maintain and that is appropriate for your climate adds beauty, plus the mental and health benefits of digging in the dirt can be underestimated.
Our team at Frisella Outdoor Lighting is here to help you make your home more comfortable and inviting. Contact our team to learn more about how landscape lighting can improve the safety and appearance of your home!