The Five Foundations of a Space
The Five Foundations of a Space
The anchoring elements of a home should feel timeless, durable, and reflective of the people who reside within it.
Every room has foundational elements that create the space.
With the new year upon us, it’s the perfect time to turn toward the home, reflecting on the essential pieces in our most lived-in rooms. As you slow down and become more intentional about your spaces, we’re sharing the five foundational elements that can guide you toward curating a space that’s as expressive as it is enduring. Plus, we’re sharing our all-time favorites within each category.
01 The Paint
When it comes to choosing paint colors, it can be hard to know where to start- but it’s all about narrowing down your options. The possibilities are endless, and finding the perfect shade is no easy feat. We get asked about paint colors so often, and although we’ve shared a few of our favorites, today we’re rounding up everything in one place for the first time. If you’re looking for the perfect shade for your next project, keep scrolling for our favorites.
Our Favorite Paint Colors
White It’s no secret that we are BIG proponents of white walls in the home. However, white paint colors are not all created equal which can make choosing the perfect shade tricky with so many options in undertones and finishes. We get asked, “What is the best white paint color?” more than any other question, so we keep a running list of our favorites. After years of test spots and swatching, we’ve narrowed it down to six basics we think could work well in every home.
Grey Grey is one of the most versatile shades, and we love using grey paint on everything from walls to front doors.
Blue When used correctly, blue can almost act as a neutral. It’s serene, calming, and versatile enough to become the perfect touch of color to nearly any space without overwhelming the room.
Green We love incorporating earth-tones hues into our designs, and one of the best ways to do this is through green paint! Whether it’s an accent wall or an entire kitchen, green paint can be the perfect way to add a touch of personality that still feels classic to your space.
Black Adding a touch of black paint is one of the best ways to add depth and drama to any interior and keep a home from feeling too one-note. However, it’s not easy to find the right paint color for your space, and when it comes to black, it can be even harder to commit!
02 The Rug
Set the foundation of a room by anchoring the space with a rug. With quality materials and hand-crafted designs, rugs can be generational pieces with durability that lasts for years.
What Makes it Foundational?
Rugs are the grounding piece to any room, quite literally laying the foundation for the rest of the additions to the space. Use a neutral palette to create cohesion, or incorporate a bold pattern and palette to make a statement.
Consider Materials
If you’re searching for a high-traffic rug, opt for an indoor/outdoor rug that’s easy to clean but soft underfoot. Natural rugs work well as a textural neutral that’s easy to layer, and 100% wool rugs add elegant durability and softness to bedrooms or grand rooms.
Think About Scale
Rugs are foundational to creating a floorplan. In general, make sure the rug will touch the front legs of each piece of furniture in the room and have about six inches of overhang on each side.
Our Favorite Rugs
Anchor the space with textured, natural materials and distressed, vintage-inspired rugs.
03 The Seating
Whether settling in with a good book and relaxing with a warm drink and cozy throw or sharing a meal around the dinner table, seating in a room is an essential piece that offers you a designated place to unwind or enjoy conversations with loved ones.
What Makes It Foundational?
The seating sets a strong tone for living spaces. Providing practical comfort alongside the aesthetic of its silhouette and palette, seating give shape to the room, making them a key component to expressing your style.
Selecting the Right Material + Fabric
Your seating should suit your lifestyle. From durable, stain-resistant fabrics like Crypton and performance linen to textural beauties like velvet or top-grain leather, consider the seating’s placement and use in the home.
Consider Silhouette
Focus on the shapes and silhouettes you gravitate toward. The silhouette of your seating plays a huge role in the design of your space, but it can evolve with you through the years. Whether you lean into the silhouette you’ve selected or diversify styles by mixing and matching with accent seating, there’s no pressure going all-in on a piece you love.
Our Favorite Seating Pieces
Sofas, armchairs, dining chairs, counter stools, desk chairs, ottomans + benches
04 The Furniture
Creating a welcoming, beautiful space comes down to the furniture. Every detail of your pieces, from its construction to its shape, sets the tone for the room.
What Makes It Foundational?
No matter the material, color palette or silhouette of your furniture, it can be built on and expanded as you style and design the rest of the room.
Consider Materials + Settle On Shape
As you browse different types of furniture for your space, take note of your room and consider which materials, sizes, shapes, colors and styles would work best. Creating a mix and match of textures that gives cohesion and interest to the room.
Consider Lifestyle
Be sure to select pieces that suit your everyday needs. For example, if you love dinner parties and consistently host, be thoughtful about extension pieces and opt for a wider table for extra seating.
Our Favorite Furniture Pieces
Dining tables, coffee tables, side tables, console tables, buffets/sideboards, cabinets, beds, dressers, nightstands + desks
03 The Lighting
Lighting adorns the space with practical beauty, creating a focal point while adding essential illumination. From the kitchen to the dining room, lighting ties the room together.
What Makes It Foundational?
Ceiling lighting adds essential overhead lighting to your space while drawing the eye upwards and setting the foundation for additional accent lighting pieces. Focus on finding a piece that complements your space without overwhelming it.
Scale and Material
Try incorporating ceiling lighting above a kitchen island to draw the eye in and make a dramatic statement. If you prefer a to-scale pendant, add interest through natural textures like woven materials or brass finishes.
Create Layers
While overhead lighting is the star of the show, they should definitely share the spotlight. Find ceiling lighting you love, then layer your space with other lighting accents like sconces, lamps, and flush mounts.
Our Favorite Light Fixtures
Chandeliers, lanterns, pendants, flush mounts, sconces, floor lamps + table lamps
We hope you enjoy the items recommended here. At A Good Home, we put a lot of thought and intention into our recommended items, only suggesting things we love and use (and think you might, as well). We also like transparency, so, full disclosure: We may collect a share of sales or other compensation if you purchase through the external links on this page.