While there are probably as many versions of an ideal home as there are homeowners, here at Rebirth Design Studio we uncover the various design choices that lend themselves well to any interior design style. After all, whether you work from home or not, everyone can agree that home is the ultimate safe space where we can disconnect and recharge. So here are some expert tips to ensure that our homes really do serve their purpose of taking care of us, both physically and mentally.

Clearly defined, clutter-free zones

Every space inside a home is designed to fulfil a specific function – often more than one if the space is on the smaller side. This is why clear segregation of dedicated zones for different uses is crucial, and can be achieved through multifunctional design that maximises every nook and cranny.

This becomes especially important when entertaining, which, in most cases, takes place in the same areas as other everyday activities. This is perhaps why all the background clutter we live with (and ignore) on a daily basis seems to come to the fore when we have people over. It is then that we notice work-related papers piling on the sofa and tech clutter dominating the kitchen peninsula where guests drop off their goods and the evening’s conversation begins.

Of course, it is not just guests who stand to benefit from less mess in our homes. A space that is drowning in clutter can quickly become toxic and deprive us of the refuge we seek from home more than any other place.

Here, storage is an invaluable solution. As we have seen from years of experience working with homes of various shapes and sizes – there is no such thing as too much storage. This is why it is always top-priority in every Rebirth project – not simply an afterthought that comes in the form of multiple add-on units, which take over a space in random, fragmented fashion.

Rather, our approach is to make storage an intrinsic and aesthetic part of the holistic design from the outset, and blend it in seamlessly – whether that’s behind timber clad walls or as part of floor-to-ceiling wardrobes that use up valuable, often-overlooked vertical space. We have pulled this off successfully in several properties, including luxury apartments at Portomaso and the historical Balluta Buildings.

Lighting, lighting and more lighting

Adequate lighting is not just about having plenty of light – it’s also about having a versatile lighting scheme that provides multiple levels of lighting. This, once again, complements and brings out the different functions of a room and allows for clearer definition between zones, beyond merely enhancing a mood.

Every space inside a home is designed to fulfil a specific function

In fact, Rebirth stresses the importance of creating a combination of lighting level options in every room, including floor, table, wall and ceiling lights. Moreover, modern adaptable lightbulbs are a convenient way to change the hue of the light in a room from warm to cold, as needed in any given moment. After all, no one would want to use dim lighting exclusively, or to have all the brightest ceiling lights on all the time.

Furniture layout and layering

Similarly, good furniture layout should also take its cue from the various uses of a particular space. Choosing the right size of furniture that is in proportion to the rest of the room is key to ensuring adequate circulation space, especially in high-traffic areas such as around sofas, dining tables and kitchen islands. These must never be so big that they get in the way.

When it comes to elevating a space, it is often the smallest details that can make all the difference – from installing basic wall skirting to ensuring correct rug placement. This all comes down to how everything is layered, which makes a huge impact on whether a space is warm and inviting, or disjointed and off-putting. Regardless of what style you are going for, make sure to choose colours and textiles that cohere and work with your space.

Sustainable design

Finally, no home can be considered ideal if it doesn’t age well – and this is not simply in regard to style. Beyond having a thermally insulated property and modern, energy-efficient appliances, sustainability in a home must go deeper into the initial design of the space. This involves thinking ahead and making choices that will last at least a decade, not just a few short years.

For example, a couple planning to start a family may want to think about how many bedrooms they might need and whether one of them could easily be converted into a study or home office later on, if that is something they are likely to need. The less you have to change over time, the more sustainable your home.

Looking into the durability of individual materials, appliances and finishes before making a purchase is therefore critical to understanding the maintenance required for their upkeep. Helpful questions to ask are: Is it stain-proof? Is it easy to clean? Can it be removed and stored easily?

Highlighting the importance of proper care to prolong a home’s longevity, Rebirth wraps up every project with a handy maintenance schedule that outlines what needs attention when and how often. This includes repainting, waterproofing, and the cleaning of air-conditioning filters, ventilation systems and delicate materials like marble kitchen tops.

At the end of the day, whether you are a rustic-loving, vintage farmhouse fan, an ultra-modern minimalist, or something else altogether, all the above are features that take any space to the next level and bring it closer to a universal ideal, whatever kind of place you like to call home.

If you would like some help sprucing up your space or designing your ideal home from scratch, reach out to Rebirth at https://rebirth-design.com/today, and stay tuned for our next article, which is all about kitchens – the heart of every home!