Guide to Twenty Something Home Design
Picture the home that you had (or have) when you enter your twenties. Now picture the home that you had (or want to have) at the end of your twenties. There's a good chance that the two homes look extremely different from one another. That's because we spend our twenties experimenting, exploring and getting to know ourselves. As we do that, our home changes to reflect the changes that are happening within us.
In spite of the fact that our style changes a lot throughout our twenties, we can manage to pull off some great design choices during this decade of our lives. It's all about accepting the common limitations that we face at this age (lack of space, lack of funding) and coming up with creative solutions to those problems. It's also about remaining open to continuing to allow the space to change along with us over time.
Home design in your twenties is challenging. It's also really fun. You can get excited about finding that perfect piece of art for a room. You can lose yourself in the attempt to create a work space in a home so small that it barely has a living space. It's the best time of life to try new things in home design. Following are a few ideas and tips about how to do that.
In spite of the fact that our style changes a lot throughout our twenties, we can manage to pull off some great design choices during this decade of our lives. It's all about accepting the common limitations that we face at this age (lack of space, lack of funding) and coming up with creative solutions to those problems. It's also about remaining open to continuing to allow the space to change along with us over time.
Home design in your twenties is challenging. It's also really fun. You can get excited about finding that perfect piece of art for a room. You can lose yourself in the attempt to create a work space in a home so small that it barely has a living space. It's the best time of life to try new things in home design. Following are a few ideas and tips about how to do that.
The main challenge that people face in their twenties in terms of home design is a lack of space. You may be sharing space with roommates or simply living in a tiny apartment. The trick that you have to learn is how to make the most of your space. Creating multi-functional spaces is a great idea in your twenties. This spot here serves as a breakfast nook, a computer workstation and a place to have cocktails with friends who visit.
Another way to deal with lack of space is to think small. Give up your idea of getting a huge work desk with a fancy executive chair. Instead, make a desk out of a small table and conveniently-sized seat. You may not want to live this way forever but it's ideal for your twenties.
The kitchen is an area of the twenty-something's home that is often tiny. How do you manage to enjoy this space in spite of its small size? The solution here seems to be organization. The neatly laid-out open-face cabinets here allow you to store everything you need without it feeling cluttered.
Even the bathroom in a twenty-something's place may be small. Make it nice anyway with a plant or sculpture. It's not your dream bathroom but it makes the place your own which is what your twenties are all about.
The twenty-something home is often a social home. Try to design in a way that's conducive to having friends over. Seats that face each other provide a warm place to gather with people who like you.
The above photo is a great choice but many twenty-something's don't have the funds to get matching furniture. That's okay. Choose eclectic pieces and set them up in a cozy corner. It's still conducive to conversation and it's beautiful for you to enjoy.
Make sure to really try to express yourself in your home. Hang a bulletin board with your favorite photos, memories of trips or magazine pullouts that inspire you. As you get older, you will probably live with a spouse and children. Now is the time to create a space that is entirely just about you.
As you create this space, you will want to retain some of the fun from your childhood. Don't rush into being too grown-up just because you're an adult. Have fun with artwork. Use your home to play.
Of course, you do have to think about function too. You want to find furniture for your home that is chic but affordable. Vintage stores, IKEA and yard sales are great places to look for really simple furniture that you can enjoy for a time and then pass on to someone else without experiencing any sense of loss.
As you go through your twenties, you should try to look for a few pieces of art or furniture that you want to treasure for a long time. Most of your stuff will be throwaway but if you can find a few things that you love (like this great lamp) then you can start really establishing who you are through your home design.