Form and Function: Injecting Style into your Home Improvements

If you're planning on doing some home improvements, read on for a guide to putting some style into your work.

When it comes to home improvements, you should always take some time to consider the balance between form and function. Let me give you an example. Did you know that Thomas Chippendale came from a family of joiners and furniture makers in Yorkshire? The most famous British furniture maker in history learned his trade hewing out rustic, provincial pieces of home-wear designed to do a solid job in unfussy homes in the north of England.

Those early pieces would have been simple and sturdy; extremely well built and eminently fit for purpose but lacking in flair and style. Young Thomas had a dream though, and when he moved to the big city of London he began to make furniture that was not only sturdy and well made, but exquisitely designed.

Chippendale swung from one extreme to the other, proving that the most functional items in the home can come in the most beautiful forms. The 18th century master craftsman elevated the everyday to exceptional art. 

At a very basic level your home fulfils an everyday function but if you're planning on doing some improvements to your property, why not take the time to think about the ways in which you can raise the aesthetic value of the work you are doing? You may not reach the giddy heights that Chippendale did but by picking a style that you like and infusing your work with it you can turn your house into something truly special.

Finding your style

The way you decorate your house should reflect your personality so take a little time to think about whom you are and what you'd like your home to say. A sprinkling of personally important photographs and mementos can make a big difference to the feel of a property but you can go beyond that to put your stamp on a place in a more telling way.

Think about the things you are passionate about and see if you can't integrate them into the décor. Is there a holiday destination that you love? A region of the world that you are particularly fond of? It could be some far flung destination, or something as local as the English countryside, but wherever it is you can borrow elements of its traditional style and use them to infuse your home improvements with something important to you.

Make a statement

In every room you should have one or two items that you can build the rest of the space around. These should be functionally important pieces of furniture that have a lot of style. For example, in your bedroom you may wish to build your room around your bed or a wardrobe. In your living room your sofa and seats might be the key object.

When you've selected this key object try to find the most stylish item that you can realistically afford. Your budget might not stretch to grandstand items but if you get creative and scour antiques shops and online sales you might be surprised at the items that are within your grasp. Don't be afraid to spend a little extra for quality. 

High-quality, stylish furniture is an investment for the future. If you do decide to go old and buy an antique you will have an asset that you will be able to recoup money on somewhere down the line. Just remember that if you're upping the value of your furnishings, make sure you have comprehensive contents insurance to protect your investment.

 Out with the old

One of the simplest and most common home improvements that people make, especially around this popular, spring-clean time of year, is the big de-clutter. It's easy to become sentimentally attached to the things you own but take a step back and you'll see that many of these clutter some items are just that. Get rid of them!

That's not to say that you should mercilessly cull all your old mementos. As I said before, a sprinkling of such items is important in establishing your personality and style. Excess is the thing you need to avoid here so try to push sentimentalism to one side and think about style.

A fitting home

A lot of people suggest that when you make home improvements you should keep your changes neutral and low key. There's something to be said for that if your improvements are designed to boost the value of the property before selling it on. However, even in these situations, you should still have style in mind. Don't sell yourself or potential buyers short – everyone has the imagination and taste to appreciate the finer things in life. Ask Thomas Chippendale!

How will you put a stylish stamp on your home improvements?