Summary:
Embracing the principle of ‘Function Before Fashion’ in home décor can lead to a stylish yet functionally clean home. By making thoughtful choices in furniture, paint, and flooring, homeowners can create spaces that are both beautiful and easy to maintain. From selecting stain-resistant fabrics and dirt-hiding paint colors to investing in durable flooring options like vinyl planks and tiles, these tips offer modern solutions for active households. The result is a home that minimizes grueling housework without sacrificing aesthetics, allowing more time to enjoy an active lifestyle.
Introduction
Creating a home that’s both beautiful and easy to maintain can feel like a balancing act. But what if you could have the best of both worlds? The principle of ‘Function Before Fashion’ isn’t just a mantra for the fashion world; it’s a guiding philosophy that can transform your living space. By being practical without sacrificing your style, you can enjoy a home that’s as functional as it is fashionable. In this guide, we’ll explore how to make thoughtful choices in furniture, paint, and flooring to create a functionally clean home that minimizes housework and maximizes style. Let’s dive into the world of functional elegance and discover how to make your home a haven of effortless beauty.
What is concept of Function before Fashion?
In the fashion world, the concept refers to choosing a garment of clothing for its functionality over how it looks. High heels are a great example. While they look good and are great for a night out on the town, you may not want to choose this type of shoe in a zombie apocalypse. A good running shoe would be more appropriate. The concept is the same for your home. I’m sure everyone remembers grandma’s sofa that was covered in plastic. It certainly wasn’t comfortable and you had to peel yourself off of it in the summer. But by golly, it didn’t have one stain on it.
This is function before fashion in home decor, although Granny probably thought it was pretty fashionable too. Now, I’m not going to tell you to cover everything in plastic, although that is a personal choice. Thankfully there are some more modern alternatives to keep your house clean.
How to make your house functionally clean:
Picking the right furniture
Furniture plays a pivotal role in defining the aesthetics and functionality of your home. When striving for a functionally clean living space, the choice of furniture material, color, and design can make all the difference. For active households, where spills and stains are a common occurrence, selecting the right fabric becomes crucial.
Synthetic fibers like polyester or microfiber are less absorbent, making them ideal for homes with children and pets. Additionally, opting for darker colors and patterns can cleverly conceal accidental stains, keeping your furniture looking fresh and clean. Even if you already own your dream couch, investing in a stain-resistant cover can provide an extra layer of protection, ensuring that your furniture remains as beautiful as the day you bought it.
- For Active Households: Consider synthetic fibers like polyester or microfiber, which are less absorbent and stain-resistant. Darker colors and patterns hide stains better.
- Stain-Resistant Solutions: If you already have your dream couch, a stain-resistant couch cover can work wonders.
Picking the right paint
Choosing the right paint is more than just a matter of color; it’s about selecting a finish that aligns with your lifestyle and the demands of your living space. Stain-resistant paints, such as those offered by brands like Sherwin Williams, provide a washable surface that can easily be cleaned, making them ideal for high-traffic areas or homes with young children.
Additionally, the choice of color can play a significant role in maintaining a clean appearance. Dirt-hiding shades like greys, browns, reds, purples, and oranges can mask everyday wear and tear, keeping your walls looking pristine. For those looking to add a touch of creativity, techniques like sponge painting can provide visual texture and depth, further disguising any imperfections. By picking the right paint, you can ensure that your walls remain a vibrant and clean backdrop to your home’s decor.
- Stain-Resistant Paints: Brands like Sherwin Williams offer washable and stain-resistant paints.
- Dirt-Hiding Colors: Greys, browns, reds, purples, and oranges can hide stains and smudges. Creative painting techniques like sponge painting can add visual interest while hiding imperfections.
Picking the right flooring
Flooring is often the unsung hero of a functionally clean home, bearing the brunt of daily life while contributing significantly to the overall aesthetics. Vinyl planks are an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable yet virtually indestructible option, especially in homes with pets and children. Their wide variety of styles can mimic the look of wood without the susceptibility to scratches. And they are easy to clean.
For areas prone to moisture or heavy use, tiles with a PEI rating between 3 and 5 offer scratch-resistant and waterproof qualities, with darker grout colors adding a practical touch to keep the grout lines looking fresh. And if a complete flooring overhaul isn’t in the cards, investing in dark-colored, washable area rugs like those from RUGGABLE can transform high traffic areas, ensuring they remain clean and stylish. These flooring choices combine functionality with beauty, creating a foundation for a home that’s easy to maintain and delightful to live in.
- Vinyl Planks: Affordable and virtually indestructible, vinyl planks are perfect for homes with pets and children.
- Tile Options: Scratch-resistant and waterproof, tiles with a PEI rating between 3 and 5 offer durability. Darker grout colors keep the grout lines looking fresh.
- Area Rugs: Invest in dark-colored, washable rugs like those from RUGGABLE to keep high traffic areas looking clean.
An active household doesn’t mean sacrificing style. With the right choices in furniture, paint, and flooring, you can minimize housework and enjoy a beautiful, functionally clean home.
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About The Cleaning Lady
I’m a professional house cleaner with 20 years of experience cleaning houses under my belt, and I’ve learned a lot about cleaning, organizing and how people react to these tasks. I’ve worked with hoarders, people will mental disorders and the young and old. What I’ve learned is everyone has different levels of “clean” and most people hate to clean. I give you cleaning and organization tips that are easy to use and don’t take all your time. And I am a fan of gadgets that will help you clean. My motto is “Clean smarter, not harder!”