A Plus Minus Approach to Home Design
FIRST, A COUPLE NOTES
One: Our Environment Impacts Our Wellbeing
Plus Minus, at its core, is about finding ways to interact with the external world that brings us peace and wellbeing. Interior design is no exception to this central philosophy. Really, interior design is so much more than what is sexy to the eye—it is the way we play with an environment to create a sensational experience and emotional impact.
For example, when you walk into a trendy coffee shop, it may be more upbeat, airy, and playful. Whereas, in a high-end steak house, you’ll often experience woodsy, traditional, grounding features. In each scenario, the designer should consider what materials and features will bring this experience to life. In the cafe, it might be painted bright colors and have funky artwork; in the steakhouse, it may have dark leather seating and elegant glassware.
Our home is not a cafe our restaurant, however. Our home is our sanctuary—it is our place of ultimate refuge and comfort. When it comes to our home, most of us want a comfortable environment.
Two: Our Home is a Place of Comfort
Before I designed my home, I asked myself: What environments have I been that felt comfortable? What elements brought these feelings of comfort? Could I live with those elements daily?
I had to remember that what brings others comfort may not be the same for myself. For example, some might find modern, symmetrical design cold and unwelcoming, while others find it grounding and serene. Interior design is like any art form—it’s an aesthetic—and everyone has unique visual preferences based on how the visual impacts them on an emotional level.
Whatever you choose should be personal to your preferences. Really, your home should be a reflection of you and what brings you a sense of wellbeing.
For example, I find the most comfort when I am in a peaceful, balanced, natural environment. So all of my answers (to the prompts below) should relate back to my core theme of peace, balance, and natural.
NOW, THE PLUSES
PLUS: ADD A COLOR PALETTE
Your palette is a guiding force, almost as if it’s the outline or skeleton for the rest of your home. Color plays a big impact on our emotional state (several studies support this). Determine what color you want your walls to be, and select finishes and furnishing from there.
In my own home, I prefer neutral tones because they mimic nature and bring me an overall sense of calm. For the walls, we painted the same color in every room (Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore, a white with slight warmth). I wanted a white “clean” palette to open up our space. White also allows the neutral tones of my furniture and objects to stand out.
I also incorporate pops of green through natural plant-life. Again, I want my home to mimic nature, and plants are a great way to bring life to a space (literally). My favorite plant is my fiddle leaf fig—it stands tall, like a tree. It is uplifting and simply beautiful.
I choose to not incorporate much color, simply because color can be a little off-putting and electric for me. Also, keeping things in the neutral family (whites, gray, beiges, blacks, browns) helps me maintain a thoughtful restriction with my design choices.
PLUS: ADD YOUR DYNAMIC
Consider what kind of dynamic you want your space to have. Do you want it to be conservative, but still playful? Perhaps you add a traditional sofa (a main piece) with a really fun floor lamp (an accent piece).
As a general guideline, try to refrain from having too much of the same thing—this can be a bit boring for us. As human beings, we want to remain interested. If everything in your home is modern, it can feel a bit stagnant.
My personal philosophy is to create a yin-yang dynamic—i.e., masculine energy with feminine energy. For example, I tie in soft pieces (feminine) with hard lines (masculine). I also like to create a contrast with dark (feminine) and light (masculine) home elements.
My personal favorite dynamic is mixing old structures with new pieces. We have an old home, so I like to throw it off with including modern furniture.
PLUS: ADD YOUR COMMON THREAD
In interior design, there is something called “hard home finishes” that tie your rooms together—such as paint, wood flooring, molding, etc. These are hard common threads.
I also like to have fun with fabrics and materials to thread the room together (“soft finishes,” if you will). Be mindful of these fabrics and the energy they bring to your home.
For example, to create the “natural” and “organic” vibe in my home, I use jute/woven rope as a thread between the rooms. I have a large jute rug in the living space, and have smaller 2x4 jute rugs in the entry way and kitchen. I also have a variety of wood, linen, and leather throughout the space. I try to limit synthetic fabrics.
Aside from furniture, maybe your objects have a similar elements. Medal objects, stone objects, glass objects. Whatever it is, it is really fun to curate your style finding dissimilar pieces with a common material or element.
AND THE MINUSES
MINUS: Remove anything that serves no function or purpose.
My philosophy is that everything in your home should have a function or a purpose.
An item may serve a function, but that doesn't mean it has much of a purpose in your home. For example, a KitchenAid mixer has a function, but if you never use it to mix anything, it has no purpose for you.
Similarly, things may have a purpose without serving a technical function. For example, someone’s collection of vintage napkins may not serve much of a function. However, there is value in the collector’s mind, so there is a purpose.
Ideally, all your items should be BEAUTIFUL while having a function or purpose (e.g., I love the design of my copper watering can for my plants). Added value is always a Plus. ;)
Moving forward, if you spot things around your home that don’t serve a function or a purpose, consider getting rid of it. On a subconscious level, excess and clutter overwhelms us. Only hold onto items that serve you.
MINUS: Subtract anything that defies what brings you comfort.
Rewind back to where we started—with the question: what is it that brings you comfort?
If there is anything in your space that defeats the answer to this question, consider removing it. For example, let’s say you find comfort in a neutral setting. Yet, you might have a bright colored piece in your space—maybe it was gifted to you, or maybe you purchased it at a time without much thought. Consider donating that item and/or replacing it with an item you love and cherish. In return, your item may find a new home in which it is given more love than you could provide it. 😉
MINUS: Let go of what once was
Be open to change. Just because you bought a lamp you thought you liked at one time, doesn't mean you love it now. I’m not suggesting you endlessly replace items that could be better (that could become an expensive habit). However, I often reflect on how my own taste evolves, and try to be open about how I rearrange or replace things to better suit me.
Lastly, let go of things that once stored “sentimental value” but is now taking up space. I used to be a hoarder of sentimental objects to a point where it was a little silly. Now, I hold on to thoughtful hand-written cards, but I try to even have limits with that.
Overall, home design isn’t supposed to be too serious (in my opinion), so have fun with it. Invest only in what you love, and feel free to play around with the rest. 💛
Thank you for taking a moment to read this blog—let me know if you have any thoughts, feedback, or questions in the comments.