Designing for Living Well
A home is where we are who we are, unfiltered and unfettered. To create a comfortable home - from scratch or redesigning an old space - can feel daunting, with the insane amount of choices and passing trends, or space and budget constraints. But the underlying cause for the nerves is the goal of creating The Perfect Space in a short span of time, that we set off with. If we were to view the home as a dynamic, evolving entity that needs patient, loving work over time, it would take the pressure off of us. It then becomes an enjoyable, meaningful journey with an equally worthwhile results.
So how can we shape homes that we’ll grow to love and will shape us in turn (for its proven that the spaces we inhabit affect us)?
The first step would be to analyse what we want our life to be. What are the experiences we would want to have in this tiny world we are carving out for ourselves? How do we want to feel within it? It should seamlessly facilitate our daily routine and internal rhythms. Pririotising our needs can help us navigate the trying bits of design. Once there is clarity on the functional aspects of the space, we can turn our attention to the aesthetic side of things.
The thing to remember is that aesthetics is a tool to designing a space. A home should reflect our identity, values and individuality. That’s what makes it uniquely suited to us. So instead of focusing on the superficial look of the space, we need to go a bit deeper and make choices that are rooted in our values. This can be a guiding principle for every little decision you make regarding the house.
Now, values might differ from one person to another. I, for one, am a great fan of slow living. First things first, slow living is “living in a more balanced, meaningful and life-affirming way.” With all the time-saving machines we have surrounded ourselves with, we have given up on doing things by ourselves, and this has taken away the little joys that come with it. Slowing down and reclaiming these chores, tasks and activities help us engage deeper with them through our senses and grounds us in reality. I find doing the dishes very meditative. The feel of flowing water, the joy of a mess cleared up and most of all, the time to be with my thoughts away from any screen; all of these are quite therapeutic.
I believe slow living is key to designing for living well. The current situation brought on by the pandemic has made this even more of a necessity. In a nutshell, here a few steps for designing a space that aids slow living -
Plan your spaces that promotes private togetherness in comfort and ease.
Use natural materials, organic forms, and contrive more tactile experiences to engage your senses.
Let the space grow and age organically, which will help you stay grounded in reality as opposed to a plastic, artificial perfection. The imperfections lend a certain charm of their own and adds to the character of the space.
Carve out niches for calm contemplation. It is important to find a balance between doing and being in this fast paced world. A seat by the window, a reading nook etc. could go a long way in bringing in much needed serenity.
Opt for sustainable, ethical, handmade products; use them for longer or give new life to old stuff. One way or another, make choices that are good for the planet as well, as much as you can.
Here’s wishing you a space that brings you great joy and peace!
