How to customise your home for functionality and aesthetics
Your home should be your haven. If you have taken the time to find and buy your dream home, you mustn’t stop there. Whether you have just purchased a home or lived in your property for a while, you must customise your home for your needs. This includes both functionality and aesthetics. You want your home to look nice – everyone does, which is great. Everyone wants to come home to a pretty and aesthetically pleasing home. However, many people neglect the functionality and practicalities of their home. You must find a balance between the two. This will help you live an easy and harmonious life and set you up for a successful future.
Do you want to come home to a house with everything you need and love to spend time in? Follow these top tips to help you customise your home for functionality and aesthetics and create your dream life.

Your lifestyle
The first and most important thing to consider is your lifestyle. You need to think about everything that you do, from your morning routine to how you spend your weekends. You can make a home functional, but if it does not meet the needs of your lifestyle, then it will be pointless. Consider how you like to spend your days, what you need and what could be improved to make your life easier.
For example, when you think about starting your day, what does that entail? If you like to make a nutritious breakfast, have a hot coffee, and read your book before you start your day, then you might consider an area in your kitchen and dining space that enables you to do this with ease. This might entail investing in the best home coffee machine, a breakfast bar, and a comfortable chair located by the window.
Another example may be how you like to spend your weekends. If you like to have friends and family over and host dinner parties and social events, then you may consider the layout of your home and keeping it open plan, with a dedicated dining area and enough seating. You may also consider the storage you have so you can keep your home clutter-free and ready for hosting.
Consider your lifestyle and make a list of needs, wants and things to avoid. This will help you start planning how to customise your home in a way best suited to you.
The layout
The layout of your home is really important. Not many people think about the layout or even realise that it can be changed. This could be one of the first things you consider when figuring out your needs and goals. Consider how you want to be able to move around your home and what you will be using your home for. Think about what is and isn’t working so you can see clearly what might need to be changed. This might be simply moving furniture around to start with. You may wish to move it in a way to create more of an open space, or you could use furniture to make your home smaller and cosier, or even utilise them to create zones.
Empty space
Unfortunately, you may find that you have some dead space in your home that you don’t know how to use. It can be a waste if it just sits there empty, and often leads to it being filled with random stuff or clutter, making it look making and rendering it unusable. It can also create an eyesore in the room or just make the room feel unfinished. Think outside the box, get creative, and see how you can utilise this space. Can it be used for a nice storage corner, for example, with a bookcase that you can decorate accordingly? Can you change the layout of the room to minimise dead space? Try and see how you can use this space to make your home more practical or decorate it to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
Lighting
Lighting has an extremely powerful impact on your home. For instance, it can change the atmosphere of your home. It can impact how your home makes you feel, what your decor looks like and how functional your home is. You need to find a balance of lights that help you to see what you are doing, bring out your decor and bring together the theme of your home. This might mean looking at different kinds of lighting for different rooms and balancing natural and artificial lighting. The more natural light you can let into your home, the better. This might mean opening up window areas so they are not blocked, using light colours and mirrors to reflect the light and even installing more windows. While you can install bright lights, it might make your home feel like a clinical environment. Where you can’t get natural light in, you may consider adding additional lights, such as lamps, perimeter lighting, spotlights and more. Consider how you want each room to feel and what you use each room for. Bedrooms might have softer lights compared to the kitchen and bathroom.
Smart storage solutions
Smart storage solutions are a great way for you to utilise the space in your home, store your items correctly and make your home aesthetically pleasing at the same time. It can make a huge difference to the way that your home looks and feels when everything has a dedicated space. Smart storage solutions consider storage in a way that smoothly weaves into the design of your home, so you wouldn’t even know it is there. Rather than having big bulky cupboards around your home to pile everything into, you can instead find a place for everything while keeping your home clutter-free. This might be storage under the bed, a built-in TV unit or a coffee table with dedicated space.
You should take steps to make your home your own, but in a way that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Follow these top tips to help you get started.
![[AD] We went to the newly opened Cha Sha Kingston a couple of weeks ago, and wow — taste bud adventure unlocked! The boys devoured the masala fries and chicken tikka rolls, while we couldn’t get enough of that epic kebab butter curry 😍🍛.
It’s amazing value for food this tasty (and everyone left happy and VERY full!).
Delicious food, vibrant vibes and incredible value — the perfect combo for your next meal.
📍Cha Sha Kingston
43 Surbiton Road, KT1 2HG
🌐 chasha.co.uk
Other Cha Sha locations in Birmingham, Ilford, Southampton and Wembkey
#ChaSha #ChaShaKingston #KingstonEats #FoodieFinds #UKFoodie #FoodReview #KingstonUponThames #FamilyEats #FamilyDining #FoodieKids](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/574770541_18560351146016840_6855048070839528040_n-180x320.jpg)

![[AD] We’re a cricket-mad family, so we’re buzzing that @thehundred is back this August! 🏏🔥
To get ready, M tried out the official FREE Activity Pack — and it’s brilliant! 🙌
Packed with fun games, creative challenges and sporty tasks, it’s perfect for getting kids hyped whether you’re at home or on the go.
👉Download yours now (link in bio)
@londonspirit @ovalinvincibles #EveryMomentCounts #TheHundred
#EnglandCricket #CricketFamily #TheHundredCricket #LondonBloggers #Cricket #CricketIsLife #kidsfun](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/505472555_18531279601016840_7092520074819907569_n-180x320.jpg)



![[AD - Press visit]
We enjoyed the glorious sunshine this weekend with a trip to Brighton. We went on the @brightoni360official which is right by the sea front.
The i360 pod take a slow journey up, allowing you to take in views across Brighton and the South Downs 450ft above ground. There’s a bar inside with drinks and snacks available to purchase and the experience lasts 25 minutes.
Afterwards, we headed to the open air roller rink for a roller skating session!
The roller rink is:
⭐ Suitable for over 5s
⭐ £6.50 if you have your own skates or £9.50 if you need to hire them
⭐ 45 minutes per session
Full details to visit the i360 + skating
📍 Brighton i360, Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN
🚗 Parking nearby (we parked in the Regency Square Car park)
🎟️ Prices start from £25.40 for an adult and £16.90 for a child
🕐 Opening hours are currently Sun-Fri 10.30am-18.30pm and until 19.30pm on Saturdays
☕️ Bar inside the i360, cafe and gift shop
Book tickets here:
https://tickets.brightoni360.co.uk/tickets/?_ga=2.195305772.1869001490.1689671753-1757164059.1689671753/#events?eventid=157](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/417980235_313576471048632_3682382982231216432_n.jpg)

![[AD] ***Summer of fun at Barracudas Activity Camps!****
There is plenty for kids to do at @barracudas_activity_day_camps
From Tennis, Archery, Swimming, Motor Sports and more you can be sure that there will be something for kids aged 4.5-14. ⚽🏈🥅🎾🏓🏎️🏹🏊♂️🏉
You can book on a day by day basis - so it can fit in with any other days out/activities you have planned and there are early drop off and late pickup options available. Barracudas are also Ofsted registered so you can use your Childcare Vouchers too.
⭐⭐⭐Get £20 off a week or £4 off a day using my discount code: MARIA20⭐⭐⭐
#BarracudasActivityDayCamp #BarracudasActivityCamp #BarracudaAmbassadors #SummerHolidays #SchoolHolidays #Summer2023 #SummerCamp #DayCare #Camp #KidsCamp #surreymummy #surreymums #SummerOfFun #ActivityCamps #HolidayCamps #Childcare #SchoolHolidays #schoolholidaycamps](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/353583570_625625966167953_545896259645102575_n.jpg)



![[AD] We have some super exciting news...we have been chosen to be Laser Quest Ambassadors, and the boys are over the moon!
We are really lucky that our local Laser Quest (@laserquestkingston) is just around the corner from us. It means we can pop in of a weekend or anytime during the school holidays, and with summer just around the corner, I know Laser Quest will be one of our go-to places for some family fun.
As well as games of Laser Quest, there are also VR experiences and arcade amusements too. To find out a bit more about how Laser Quest works, you can read my blog post: https://www.suburban-mum.com/laser-quest-kingston/ (clickable link in bio)
Don't forget to keep an eye out for our Laser Quest posts - I'm going to be giving away two family passes to use at Laserquest Kingston!
If you can't wait and want to head down to Laser Quest to try it out, use the code SUMMER30 for 30% off your booking. The code is valid from now until the end of August 2023 and can be used on Laser Quest games and birthday party bookings.
#LaserquestAmbassador #Laserquest #LaserquestKingston #ActivitiesForKids #FamilyFun #DaysOutWithKids #Lasertag #LaserquestVR #Kingston #ThingsToDoInKingston #SurreyFamilyDaysOut #ThingsToDoWithKids #RainyDayFun #SurreyMummy #SurreyLife #LifeWithKids #LifeWithBoys #familyfunday](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/353230107_797358078406942_2405522556733455165_n.jpg)

![[AD] The sun has finally made an appearance and the boys have been making the most of it by spending it
in the garden.
They’re go-to is always football and they’ve been trying to improve their aim and accuracy with the new Messi Foldable Footlball goal from the #MessiTrainingSystem range.
I love the fact the goal is foldable, making it easy to store away when not in use. It is also lightweight so you can effortlessly pack it up and take it to the park or to a friend’s house.
The Messi Foldable Football Goal retails at £36 and can be purchased from @argos
You can read my full review here: https://www.suburban-mum.com/messi-foldable-football-goal/
#TrainLikeMessi #FoldableFootballGoal #FootballSkills #OutdoorFun #LionelMessi #LeoMessi #FootballAtHome #OutdoorKids #JustGetOutside #OutdoorsAndFree #ScreenFreeKids #WhateverTheWeatherKids @flair_gp](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/341194882_615024710178056_41977149395989448_n.jpg)

![[AD] We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we are Barracuda Ambassadors again this year.
With Easter just around the corner, the boys were sent the @barracudas_activity_day_camps new camp kit in preparation for the school holidays.
There’s a wide range of activities for kids aged 4.5 - 14 including Tennis, Archery, Basketball, Arts & Crafts and more.
If you like the sound of Barracudas, find out more over on their website. You can also save £20 a week or £4 a day, using my discount code: MARIA20](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/336812306_765234558514317_685553691647241974_n.jpg)


![[AD - Gifted]
Last weekend we were invited to try out @tsarettaspice’s new Bottomless Brunch menu and I can tell you it was thumbs up all round!
There’s a good choice tapas on offer from Punjabi fish fingers, Indo Chinese Chicken to Spiced Lamb Scotch Eggs and Manchurian Cauliflower (which was amazing!)
If you’re local to Twickenham and fancy giving them a try here’s are the details.
Tsaretta Spice Bottomless Brunch
⭐️£37.50 per head for bottomless Prosecco or cocktail of the day
⭐️£55 per head for bottomless Champagne
⭐️ Food included: 4 tapas selections and dessert or 2 tapas selections, a pav or naanwich and dessert
⭐️ Non-alcohol brunch is also available
Tsaretta Spice
55 Church Street
Twickenham
TW1 3NR
You can also read our full review over on the blog (link in bio)](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/334565436_5960402314015030_663031098700829518_n.jpg)



