How to Integrate Smart Design That Fits Your Lifestyle

Our editorial team shares design ideas for different lifestyles, personalities, and routines.
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At its best, modern design considers not just physical requirements but psychological and social conditions as well. The design of spaces in which we live and work can greatly impact our mood, productivity, and overall emotional state. Whether you spend more time at home or are always on the go, great design can and should enhance your unique personality and lifestyle needs. 

Together with smartwater, our Dwell editorial team has considered how to design with well-being in mind. The tips below offer smart design ideas for different lifestyles, personalities, and routines. 

For Those Who Work From Home: 

The mental effects from physically dividing your living and work spaces can help you focus when needed, and most importantly, step away to relax when finished.  

The mental effects from physically dividing your living and work spaces can help you focus when needed, and most importantly, step away to relax when finished.  

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Herman Miller Nelson Swag Leg Desk
Herman Miller Nelson Swag Leg Desk
The Swag Leg Collection (1958) was named for a manufacturing process that uses pressure to curve and taper metal tubing. This desk perches lightly on signature sculptural legs stabilized by a solid walnut stretcher.
Kartell Componibili Storage Unit
Kartell Componibili Storage Unit
The Componibili Storage Unit (1969) takes its name from componibile, Italian for “modular,” consisting of individual storage modules equipped with a sliding front door and tongue-and-groove design to offer attractive, stackable storage.
Herman Miller Sayl Chair
Herman Miller Sayl Chair
With a ventilated back for air circulation and tilt limiter that lets you adjust tension and range to your liking, this chair accomplishes a great deal with only the essentials.

At some point, you may find yourself working from home, either for an afternoon or as part of a permanent routine. Even if just for a few hours, there are some things to keep in mind when selecting a work area in your home—natural lighting being one of the most important. Studies have proven that exposure to natural daylight can improve mood and productivity, which will help keep you inspired and motivated. 

Smart Tip: Consider locating your desk or workspace near a window to create a brightly lit environment and provide views for intermittent breaks. 

While not every floor plan allows for a dedicated home office, identifying a unique space of some kind is still ideal. Even if your work is a part-time hobby, a separate area creates a familiar environment to help you concentrate. Regardless of how you use the space, a multi-functional desk or storage cabinet can also help keep you organized and conceal materials when not being used.  

For Those Who Live a Busy Lifestyle: 

Certain lighter color hues—such as whites, neutrals, blues, and greens—can elicit calming effects.

Certain lighter color hues—such as whites, neutrals, blues, and greens—can elicit calming effects.

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Linie Design Memo Rug
Linie Design Memo Rug
A graduate of The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Urd Moll Gundermann has worked with a number of international companies in the textile, fashion, print and industrial design industries.

If you live a life on the go and often find yourself out of the house, a well-designed home that promotes relaxation can help you begin to unwind as soon as you step back over the threshold. Such an environment aims to improve your well-being by calming your senses, restoring depleted energy levels, and providing greater mental clarity to focus on the other things life demands of you. 

Smart Tip: Consider incorporating lighter color hues, softer textures, and natural materials to create a more soothing atmosphere. 

Yet, how you incorporate colors or materials is ultimately dependent on your own personal style. Your sense of touch can also play a role in stimulating relaxation, so consider softer fabrics for furniture or plush area rugs for floor coverings. Lastly, a connection with nature through building materials such as natural wood or the addition of indoor plants can further promote a rejuvenating mindset. 

For Those Who Spend More Time Relaxing at Home: 

Designing a cozy space that you enjoy spending time in goes beyond just furniture selection. 

Designing a cozy space that you enjoy spending time in goes beyond just furniture selection. 

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NOON Home Room Bundle
NOON Home Room Bundle
NOON Switches wirelessly communicate with each other to create coordinated light in beautiful, complementary levels. Use our automatically generated "scenes," or create your own to transform the look and feel of any room.
Le Labo Palo Santo 14 Classic Candle
Le Labo Palo Santo 14 Classic Candle
What it is: Made from pure soy wax and featuring a cotton wick, this candle fills your home with clean fragrance and comes presented in a thick, heavy glass vessel.  Fragrance story: Palo Santo carries with it an energizing freshness yet can be sometimes overwhelming when used raw.
Casper Glow Light
Casper Glow Light
Glow is designed with sleep in mind. Its self-dimming, warm light lulls you into better, deeper sleep.

If you spend more time at home, practical design elements may become more important to you—specifically, comfort and functionality. When selecting furniture for your home, try not to overlook the comfort and utility of different options, particularly for pieces such as a couch that will likely get a lot of use. Darker or more durable materials will hold up better over time and help to disguise wear-and-tear. 

Smart Tip: Consider dimmable switches to accommodate changing moods or seasons, giving you more flexibility when enjoying your favorite spaces. 

Multiple sources of warm lighting such as lamps or candles can help create a cozy atmosphere, while sources of natural lighting such as large open windows can instantly enliven a space. When it comes to the finishing touches, meaningful pictures or decorations provide the ultimate in personal connection, promoting a stronger sense of security and belonging as well. 

For Those Who Adore Hosting and Entertaining: 

Whenever possible, consider moving the party outside where there may be more space and guests have the opportunity to connect with nature. 

Whenever possible, consider moving the party outside where there may be more space and guests have the opportunity to connect with nature. 

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Innit Designs Inlove Seat
Innit Designs Inlove Seat
Perfect for two is Innit’s Inlove Seat. Designed to be durable and easy to upkeep. No cushion, no problem this love seat is designed to be comfortable without one. Made with materials that help keep the piece from getting damaged from UV rays and rain.
Tech Lighting SoCo Modern Socket Pendant
Tech Lighting SoCo Modern Socket Pendant
Bare bulbs have never looked so fine. The Tech Lighting SoCo Modern Socket Pendant features the beauty of bare bulbs combined with a myriad of choices in color, finish and length.
Innit Designs Acapulco Chair
Innit Designs Acapulco Chair
The Innit Designs Acapulco Chair is cool in more ways than one. Based on the original 1950s design, it has an open and airy yet ergonomic and supportive open weave vinyl seat inspired by traditional Mayan hammock weaving techniques.

With summer in full swing, you may be planning to take advantage of warmer temperatures by entertaining outside more often. There are many ways to improve indoor-outdoor connectivity, allowing guests to flow between the spaces they find most comfortable. If you entertain often, investing in folding or sliding doors can create a seamless transition between interior and exterior spaces. 

Smart Tip: Consider flexible furniture options that can be easily rearranged to create an inviting atmosphere and the possibility for more intimate seating in spaces other than the main entertaining area. 

Beyond spacial design, multi-functional storage solutions and appliances such as warming or cooling drawers can expand your entertaining options. Also, consider illuminating outdoor spaces with warmer options such as string lights rather than larger spot lights, and lastly, don’t forget about shading by incorporating an awning or umbrella as needed. 

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