How to Upgrade Your Home with Efficient and Modern Design

Looking to upgrade your home and hook it up with a modern look? Chances are you’re not charmed by your current interior design and are looking for something a little more eye-pleasing – something that can give your lovely home’s resale value a market-friendly boost.

A recent survey reveals that around 7 in 10 US  homeowners aren’t happy with their homes and want to redecorate. They find their living spaces incredibly restricted, disorganised, and jam-packed with clutter.

But how do you start redecorating, and where do you begin? Now, that’s the question in everyone’s mind. After all, modern upgrades can cost you an arm and a leg.

If the cost of refurbishing isn’t an issue, two-thirds of US homeowners prioritise upgrading their kitchen. That’s because kitchen and bathroom renovations contribute the most to the resale value of your home; such upgrades have a decent ROI. However, these added benefits come with skyscraping costs. So, how can you upgrade your home design without breaking the bank?

A possible solution lies in embracing German design standards, a principle of people known for their minimalism, an uncanny ability to find functionality in everything, and attention to detail.

Incorporating German Precision into Kitchen Design

Germany is said to have not only the earliest housing structures found in Europe but also some of the most affordable homes on the continent. That’s partly because German home design and architecture reflect a philosophy with three principles:

• Unparalleled craftsmanship
• Highly innovative engineering
• A relentless pursuit of perfection

The clean lines and minimalist aesthetics of German homes have become a hallmark of modern home design, specifically for kitchens. You may seek inspiration from contemporary German kitchens, the pinnacle of modernisation with impressive features like handleless cabinetry, ample storage, and a supremely high-end design.

These kitchens are made with practicality and convenience in mind. For instance, the countertops are low enough to let you rest your elbows while cooking. With an ergonomic composition and clutter-free setting, these kitchens give off elegance and functionality at the same time.

These aren’t the only things unique to German home decor and interior design principles; it’s common to find a few enticing items in Deutsch homes that most likely won’t be seen in many houses, such as:

• Comfy house shoes (hausschuhe)
• On-the-go tools for cleaning and sweeping
• Libraries (a crucial room in many German homes)

These elements are positioned precisely to maximise their usefulness. As a result, German homes never seem disorganised due to clutter or lack of practicality in any sense.

German architecture believes in maximising sustainability in interior design and making the occupants as comfortable as possible. That’s why home decor experts in Germany keep trying out new ideas in search of the best way to make a limited space more functional and convenient.

For instance, we have Julian Krüger and Benjamin Kemper building a house without using nails or bolts, which comes apart in a snap; called the “Digital House,” it’s like an on-the-go house to take with you on a family trip. Everyone loves German precision because it is:

• Super durable and built to last generations with the sort of quality materials used in construction
• Innovative in the sense that it optimises space for better functionality, intelligent storage solutions, state-of-the-art appliances, etc.
• Sleek and embraces minimalism to create a sense of elegance and sophistication without seeming out of fashion
• Sustainable, energy-efficient, detail-oriented, and highly functional, with not an inch wasted in the name of unnecessary beautification

Combining Home Design with German Precision

Ski holidays in the snowing peaks of Austria left a lasting impression on Greystones pharmacist Fiona Roche. After living all her adult life in Ireland, she never thought that her inspiration to build a new home would come from German interior decoration standards. While she was staying at a ski resort, the sheer beauty of German home design caught her eye – those spacious, homely abodes with ceiling windows, a sturdy build, and ample sunlight pouring in!

Upon their return, Fiona and her husband contacted a German company to upgrade their detached, three-storey tall, 273 sq ft home back in Greystones with modern design elements, making her living space a paragon of functionality plus minimalism. This is something you, too, can do with these tips:

1. Minimalism

Minimalism is a crucial part of German home decor, stating that fewer items are more easily manageable. It gives you clutter-free spaces with amazing aesthetics and better functionality.

Once again, handleless cabinetry is a great example of German precision. So, try to eliminate all those clunky-looking protruding handles in your house. For example, you can give your bathroom an overhaul by getting rid of cabinet handles for good. It’ll make your bathroom look more elegant and clutter-free.

2. Quality

From raw materials to final finishes, everything in home design should be of high quality. Quality materials will keep your house standing for ages; that’s a no-brainer. Using quality materials in home refurbishing will eliminate the need for frequent, money-wasting replacements.

Using German-engineered wood and quartz will incorporate quality into your home design. These durable materials enhance even a humble home’s visual appeal and make it weather-resistant.

3. Storage

You can start by adding drawers under your bed, in the ottoman, inside the hollow hulk of the staircase, etc. Find storage potential in every part of your house, and don’t leave a stone unturned when searching for hidden spots where you can keep your clutter.

This philosophy encourages you to maximise the storage potential of your humble abode. That is why we now have pull-out shelves, hidden compartments, modular systems, etc., in modern-day homes.

4. Energy Efficiency

Sustainability – there’s no alternative to it. After all, German-inspired home design focuses on keeping the home sustainable with energy-efficient appliances that lower your utility bills and overall carbon footprint.

You can have dishwashers that consume less water and energy without any decline in performance.

5. Ergonomics

Want to make your space more enjoyable and functional? Modern German designs incorporate ergonomic principles to make this space more functional and comfortable. That’s why German home decor experts suggest positioning the sink 32 to 36 inches from the floor. A clearance of about 27 inches underneath is needed to give ample room to your knees.

In a home office, we get to see traditional aesthetics with ergonomic considerations, such as keyboard drawers. The large mirror in your bedroom should stand at eye level so you can see your reflection in it without straining your neck. Similar principles are applicable in other parts of your home.

Read more: Small bedroom upgrades that increase home value

6. Lighting

Let natural light improve the ambience of your living space. In German design, you’ll see large windows and open layouts that offer an airier, brighter environment.

Some German interior designers extensively use glass to make sure that sunlight floods the insides of your home. Don’t rely too much on artificial lighting, and let daylight rejuvenate you.

7. Functionality and Design

German design emphasises functionality without compromising style. Every element in your living space must serve a purpose and contribute to the overall efficiency of the home. Imagine an open ground floor plan to promote fluid movement and interaction, while the upper story can provide intimate spaces.

8. Timelessness

Timeless design transcends trends. That’s why the German interior design philosophy encourages you to keep your home stylish for years to come. German design often features classic elements that maintain their appeal over time.

The use of stainless-steel cabinetry in storerooms and concrete countertops in the bathroom exemplifies this timeless aesthetic. You can increase the resale value of your house this way. Turn your home into a timeless classic abode worthy of showing off to your guests with pride – thanks to German precision.

Written by Billy Guteng. September 19, 2024

Billy is a content writer for Kukun. He was born in France, and has lived in multiple cities around the world ever since. He loves art, design and architecture as well as construction and real estate.