The following contribution is from another author.
With the rapid development of technology and the ever-changing trends surrounding home design and layout, it might seem like your home is inevitably going to become outdated and impractical. There are so many challenges and changes that might impact the way you live in your home, in ways that can be hard to predict. However, by considering accessibility, flexibility and function within a thoughtful and graceful design, you can future proof your home and ensure that it caters for changes in technology, design trends, and even the occupants of your home.
Here are some of the things you can do to turn your house into a forever home that you will always love.
Embrace Innovation
If you are looking to really upgrade your home, modern home tech has become a fantastic way to integrate your devices, introduce innovative functionality, and ultimately ensure that your home is truly future proof.
If you are committed to embracing home tech, getting the help of a home automation specialist is a great approach that will ensure you get the best devices for you and your home. However, even just introducing your home to technology such as a home assistant or interactive lighting can significantly change the functionality of your home.
Ultimately, you can achieve full interconnectivity of appliances that even include your washing machine and door locks – a definite step towards ensuring that your house is ready for the future.
Understand Timeless Design
Design that lasts throughout the years will result in a home that is inviting and confident, in the long term. To achieve a timeless design, the things you need to look at include your floor plan, the functionality of your home, and the inspiration you draw.
To elaborate, an open plan design is an aspect of your floor plan that can significantly increase the life expectancy of your home’s style, as it provides flexibility and functionality. This brings us onto function – a home that is functional will mean that you use it as intended, and can reduce inconveniences that will become more prominent over time. Finally, be sure to draw from inspiration that is timeless in itself – historically, timeless interior design is neutral, balanced, and has a mix of comfort and functionality.
Additional tips include sticking to a neutral color palette, and avoiding overcrowded or over the top design elements.
Get Maintenance Out of the Way
To many, this might be the most important area to focus on – future proofing your home is not possible if your home is in a bad condition to start with. Minor structural issues to your home (that you might not even know of) can easily become significant problems that have serious implications regarding the safety and life expectancy of your home.
Getting the help of a building inspector and taking a proactive approach to problems like wall cracks, rising damp and subsidence is a good start in addressing home maintenance needs – innovative solutions such as modern underpinning will also provide greater convenience and effectiveness throughout the process.
Get a Head Start On Sustainability
Sustainability is a great home aspect to get started on early if you want to future proof your house. There are a diverse range of areas in which you can promote sustainable energy use and environmentally friendly home operation, including alternative energy sources, composting, and saving energy.
Alternative energy sources are an often overlooked solution that tackles both rising energy costs and environmental sustainability. As society continues to move towards renewable energy, alternative energy sources such as solar power are a good way to stay ahead of the rest. Not only do they future proof your home, but they pay for themselves in as little as four years – meaning you shouldn’t wait.
Composting is a great way to reduce kitchen waste and add nutrients to the soil in your backyard. Something like a kitchen compost bin is a simple and effective way to get started, or if you want to take it to the next level, many food waste digester options will allow you to quickly and easily turn food scraps into nutrient rich fertilizer.
Finally, a home that allows for energy saving will result in sustainable living that sets you up for the future. If you are ever considering a renovation, be sure to keep in mind natural light and ventilation that will allow you to save on heating, cooling and lighting costs. On the other hand, simple actions such as utilizing energy efficient appliances and investing in some lighting timers will also minimize energy use.
