6 Practical Design Tips for a more liveable home

6 Practical Design Tips for a more liveable home

A beautiful home may impress the eye, but a liveable home satisfies on a much deeper level. It supports your lifestyle, adapts to your needs, and feels comfortable every day, not just when it's picture-perfect.

And the most liveable homes are not necessarily the most luxurious; they’re the ones where every detail serves a purpose. They feel easy to live in, intuitively arranged and emotionally grounding. When you design for comfort, flexibility and wellbeing, your home becomes more than a dwelling - it becomes a supportive backdrop for life itself.

Whether you're planning a renovation, building from scratch, or simply refreshing your space, integrating design elements that prioritise liveability will transform how you experience your home.

Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty shares six practical design tips that go beyond trends to create a space that truly works for you and your family - beautifully, efficiently and comfortably.

1. Design for Flow and Function, Not Just Looks

A liveable home begins with good flow which is how people move through and interact with the space. Too often, homes are designed around aesthetics or formal arrangements that look good in photos but are awkward to live in.

When a home’s layout supports natural movement, it reduces friction, clutter and stress. It makes daily routines easier, whether you're cooking, hosting guests or managing a busy family schedule.

How to implement:

• Think in zones: Group spaces by function (e.g., living, dining, sleeping, working). This keeps activity areas efficient and reduces overlap.
• Create clear paths: Avoid placing furniture in the way of main traffic routes. Leave enough room to move between rooms without squeezing or sidestepping.
• Open-plan caution: While open layouts are popular, they need intentional boundaries. Use rugs, lighting, or furniture arrangements to subtly define spaces and maintain functionality.

 2. Prioritise Natural Light and Ventilation

Natural light doesn't just brighten a room, it improves mood, productivity and even sleep. Similarly, good ventilation keeps the air fresh, reduces humidity, and enhances wellbeing.

A well-lit, well-ventilated space feels more spacious and alive. These elements also reduce reliance on artificial lighting and air conditioning, supporting sustainability and lowering energy bills.

How to implement:

• Maximise windows: Where possible, enlarge window openings or install clerestory or transom windows to bring in light without sacrificing privacy.
• Use mirrors: Strategically placed mirrors can bounce light around a room and visually expand tight spaces.
• Cross-ventilation: Position windows or vents on opposite sides of a room to allow breezes to flow through.
• Window coverings: Choose adjustable blinds or sheer curtains that provide control without blocking light.

 3. Create Flexible Spaces That Adapt to Life Changes

In today’s fast-changing world, flexibility is key. A home that adapts to evolving needs - whether it’s working from home, growing a family, or ageing in place - will serve you better over time.

Functional adaptability extends the life and value of your home and prevents costly renovations or uncomfortable compromises down the line.

How to implement:

• Dual-purpose rooms: Use sliding doors or modular furniture to turn a guest room into a study or a playroom into a gym.
• Built-in storage with options: Install adjustable shelving and storage systems that can evolve as your needs change.
• Design with foresight: If you’re renovating, consider features like wider doorways, step-free entrances, and bathroom reinforcements for grab bars to support long-term accessibility.

4. Invest in Comfortable, Durable Materials

While it’s tempting to choose finishes based solely on style, the materials you live with every day should also feel good and hold up to use.

Liveability includes comfort and ease of maintenance and finishes that scratch easily, stain quickly or feel unpleasant underfoot diminish daily enjoyment.

How to implement:

• Touch matters: Prioritise tactile comfort—soft textiles, smooth wood, warm tile. Choose finishes that are pleasant to interact with.
• Choose performance materials: Go for stain-resistant fabrics, durable surfaces like quartz or composite stone and washable paint for high-traffic areas.

Match material to usage: Use harder-wearing finishes in busy zones like entryways or kitchens and softer, cosier materials in relaxation areas like bedrooms and lounges.

5. Layer Lighting for Function and Mood

A single overhead light won’t ever do a space justice or set a relaxing mood. Good lighting design layers different sources - ambient, task, and accent - to make a home feel dynamic and adaptable.

Layered lighting also improves usability and comfort, enhances aesthetics and supports circadian rhythms when designed to adjust throughout the day.

How to implement:

• Ambient lighting: Ceiling fixtures or recessed lights for general illumination.
• Task lighting: Under-cabinet lights in kitchens, reading lamps by beds or sofas and pendants over workspaces.
• Accent lighting: Wall sconces, LED strips, or spotlights to highlight artwork, architecture or to set mood.

Use dimmers: Install dimmer switches to control intensity and shift the mood from day to night effortlessly.

6. Incorporate Nature Indoors

Biophilic design has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance mood. In short, connection to nature, even in subtle forms, increases a sense of harmony and liveability.

Incorporating nature indoors also helps counteract the impact of urban density and screen-heavy lifestyles. It grounds us, making the home a place of restoration.

How to implement:

• Indoor plants: Use greenery in kitchens, bathrooms or entryways. Even low-maintenance plants like pothos or snake plants can elevate a room.
• Natural materials: Choose wood, stone, linen and wool for furniture and finishes.
• Views and vignettes: Frame views of gardens or courtyards. Where no outdoor view exists, create indoor vignettes with plants, water features or textured elements.