Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Privacy is vital when extended families share a space
AS MUCH as living together offers many benefits for family members, privacy is of utmost importance as each person in the home needs to have their own space. But how can home interiors be designed to offer this?
Will Engelbrecht, creative director at WillDesign, says bedrooms are “always top priority” for people to create their own space and be surrounded by the things they love.
In terms of shared space, he says a playroom is an area where children can have their TVs and games, but can also be styled and designed in ways that are friendly to parents and the elderly.
“Think comfy couches, a lazyboy chair, puffs for the children, and footstools for granny.. Everyone loves a big TV set and Friday nights in front of the TV with the whole family is the best. These rooms allow for special times for the family to be together.”
Man caves are also “very big at the moment” and give dads alone space with their “toys”, Engelbrecht says.
“In most of the homes I do, the parents want a sitting area in the main bedroom where they can be alone and read a book, or just have couple time.”
For relatives on a budget but still wanting to do something to make their homes more suitable for shared living, Engelbrecht says a splash of paint can make a world of difference. Carpets can also be lifted and floors can be redone – “think painted screed floors with loose rugs”.
“DIY is huge with house shares. Painting walls, doing stencilled art on the walls, building shelves, painting old bookshelves, building toy boxes, or even creating hooks to hang up swimwear or towels are great ways for family members, especially grandparents and grandchildren, to redo a home together.”
“Use fabric paint to make your own scatter cushions. You can also make quilts from old clothes.”