One way or the other, when we organize our home or any room in the house for that matter, we tend to skip the part where we have to make it a functional space. At times, we focus more on how to make it visually appealing for now. Nothing wrong with that. But wouldn’t it be better if we aimed to create a functional home that we can fully utilize instead? To have a functional home means to complete the package of having a space that’s optimized for living, accommodating all lifestyles. It’s a place that’s all-in-one — aesthetically pleasing, efficient, and flexible. 

Now when it comes to creating a functional home, some of the things that can make a huge impact is the kind of furniture items you choose for every room in the house, and of course, how you manage to maintain a clean and organized place. In this article, we will be highlighting some workable tips to help make your home a functional one.

1. Choose Functional Furniture Items

Each potential furniture item you choose is an investment, so you have to choose wisely. Going for furniture that doesn’t suit your needs and lifestyle will just be a waste of space and money for you. This is why it is a must that you always opt for functional furniture pieces — those that are all-in-one, having aesthetically pleasing visuals, providing comfort and extra storage to function. Nowadays, it won’t be hard to find functional furniture items, you just need to be keener in looking for one that will essentially work for your lifestyle and serve their purpose daily. 

A tip in choosing functional furniture for your home is to think about how they are going to be used. Do you have kids that can possibly draw all over the sofa upholstery? Do you have pets that could scratch your wooden furniture? Consider those factors because they can help determine what kind of furniture best fits your need. Make sure to go for a fabric such as leather and microfiber that will be able to withstand the wear and tear of daily use. If you do have pets at home, then checking out some pet friendly furniture items may be a good idea since they are highly durable and scratch resistant. 

2. Be Clever With Your Storage

Proper storage is everything when you want to make your home more functional. But let’s say that you do have storage space at home — do you know how to properly utilize them? Be sure that you are able to utilize them properly by incorporating good storage and organization habits, so that the space you have will not be wasted. You should also look into more space-saving furniture options as they can help you organize and store things better, adding to the functionality of your home. 

Related: The Benefits of Space-Saving Furniture for Your Home

3. Maximize the Role or Purpose of Every Room/Area

To say that you have a functional home, you have to maximize the role of every room in the house. You can’t say that it is a bedroom when it doesn’t look like one. For example, if that specific room is a home office, then you can’t place laundry baskets or even the kids’ playpen in there. You have to keep everything in its place so that your home remains neat and organized. It is important to emphasize the role and purpose of the rooms and areas in your home, and to do that, you can simply start with choosing the right furniture, lighting, and decors as these elements help make up the look and feel of what the room is initially designed for. 

Here are some tips to take with you to create more functionality and organization in your home:

• Bedroom

The bedroom can easily get messy because it is where we sleep, rest, and change clothes. It’s also the place where we store our clothes and other personal items, which means that it can look and feel a bit cluttered at times if you don’t practice proper organization and storage. 

One of the best ways to avoid that is to free up some space in the bedroom. As much as possible, do not hoard clothes in the cabinet that are not useful to you anymore because they may take up too much space. Maintain an organized method of fixing your clothes so they don’t contribute to the mess and clutter in the room. To enhance the functionality and storage in your bedroom, you can also for go for a bed that has drawers or shelves on the side where you can store other personal items for easy access. You can add a storage bench, wardrobe or cabinet, and nightstand for additional storage. If you want to accommodate more people in the room, bunk beds and pull-out beds are perfect for that. 

Related: 6 Bedroom Furniture Must-Haves

• Kitchen

If you love to cook or you have kids, then the kitchen is probably the busiest room in the house. But that doesn’t have to make it look like a run-down place. In fact, you can decorate your kitchen and improve its entire look by simply placing the right lighting, changing the wall color, creating a focal point, and putting up an open shelf for your kitchen essentials. Installing open shelves on the wall allows you to save more space and at the same time display your dishwares, glassware, and more. You should also pay more attention in choosing the right kitchen cabinets. See to it that they match the style of your kitchen, provide ample storage space, and are made with quality materials. 

• Living Room

The living room is generally the first room or area in the house that people see, that’s why it’s crucial to make it look not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional at the same time. You can enhance the comfort of your living room by incorporating a coffee table or a side table into your furniture mix. If you want to more storage, you can choose to go for a tiered coffee table as you can utilize both the tabletop and the bottom tier. 

4. Add Efficient Lighting

Good lighting makes a difference in any home because it enhances the look and vibe of the entire room while also highlighting its focal points. On top of that, good lighting can also boost your mood and productivity. Among the best options you have are pendant lights for the kitchen, chandeliers for living rooms with high ceiling, table lamps for the living room or bedroom, and wall lamps or floor lamps for the home office. You’ll be surprised as to how much they can transform both the functionality and visuals of your home. 

5. Place Bins Where They are Necessary

Making your home more functional can be as uncomplicated as placing bins where they are necessary. For example, if you have kids, it is ideal to have at least a woven storage bin or basket in the living room or in their bedroom where they can put their toys. Trash bins are also advisable to be placed where they are necessary such as in the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, home office, laundry room, and outdoor areas. Doing this encourages cleanliness and organization — hence, improving the functionality of your home. If you have guests over, they won’t have any trouble finding the right spot to throw their trash. 

6. Organize Your Entryway

A messy and cluttered entryway gives off the impression that the home is not as well-maintained as it should be, especially for first-time visitors. You want to avoid that, right? So you should organize your entryway in a manner that will help you and your family function well, particularly when you are getting out of the house. There should be a designated drop zone in the entryway and a console cabinet or console table where you can place your keys and other small items that are essential for your daily routine. 

7. Don’t Forget About Your Outdoor Area

The outdoor area is part of your home, therefore, it’s important to make it a part of your home design planning. If you have ample space in your outdoor area, you can place furniture such as a steel bench, wooden seating sets, an armchair, an outdoor chaise lounge, a hammock, patio day bed, and more. Adding outdoor furniture to your home does not only amplify its vibe and appearance, but it also provides you with more ways to take a break and bask in the beauty of the outdoors while you sit and relax. If you love inviting guests over, having outdoor furniture along with a good landscape or garden is the perfect way to accommodate more people and enjoy each other’s company.

8. Never Neglect Cleaning and Decluttering

Cleaning and decluttering are two essential components of having a functional home. You can’t say that a home is functional if cleanliness is not maintained and the place is filled with clutter. Cleaning and decluttering only becomes a problem when you don’t do them regularly or much as you ought to.

We understand as well that it can be difficult to maintain a routine for both of them, especially with all the other physical and mental demands of work. But the key to building a healthy and tractable routine for cleaning and decluttering is to set a day for when you should do them. For example, assign a day in a week where you will clean the bedroom and declutter your closet. That doesn’t sound bad, right? No one said that you should do all of them in one day. You only have to make it a habit or create a system out of it until you have finally incorporated it into your daily or weekly routine.

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