How to design a home begins with understanding how space supports daily life, shaping both movement and emotional wellbeing. In the Kent Project by Ome Dezin, this approach is realised through a reworking of layout, materiality and light to create a home that feels grounded and restorative. Located in Los Angeles, the residence balances functionality and atmosphere, where each decision contributes to a sense of calm.
At the core of how to design a home is the prioritisation of internal flow. The original structure was defined by enclosed rooms and fragmented spaces. By opening up the plan and creating connections between living areas, the design introduces a seamless transition from one space to another. This continuity extends outward, reinforcing openness in everyday living.
Functionality plays a critical role in how to design a home that feels intuitive. Practical elements such as storage, circulation and spatial relationships are resolved before aesthetics. In spaces like the kitchen, movement is carefully considered, allowing daily routines to unfold with ease while supporting a liveable environment.
Material selection further defines how to design a home with a sense of sanctuary. A restrained palette of natural materials – timber, stone and metal – establishes a tactile foundation. Chosen for their ability to age over time, these materials embrace patina and change, fostering a relationship between inhabitant and space.
Natural light is essential in how to design a home that fosters wellbeing. Skylights and glazing invite daylight deep into the interior, creating a shifting interplay of light throughout the day. This enhances spatial experience while reinforcing a connection to time and environment.
Equally important is the integration of indoor and outdoor living. Openings and consistent materiality soften the boundary between inside and outside, allowing landscape to become part of the home. This connection to nature supports a restorative atmosphere and extends the experience of living.
Layered within this calm foundation is a sense of expression. Vintage furniture, curated objects and moments of colour introduce contrast and depth without disrupting tranquillity. These elements bring character into the space, reinforcing that how to design a home is about balance.
Ultimately, the Kent Project demonstrates that designing a home is an exercise in balance – between function and feeling, simplicity and expression. Through careful consideration of layout, light and material, the home becomes a sanctuary shaped by intention.
0:00 – Introduction To How to Design a Home That Feels Like a Sanctuary with Ome Dezin
0:25 – Consider Spatial Flow And Functionality
1:40 – Use A Natural Material Palette
5:18 – Invite Natural Light Inwards
7:30 – Blur The Line Between Inside And Out
10:00 – Allow Playfulness And Expression
12:02 – Final Thoughts
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Photography by Austin Leis.
Interior design by Ome Dezin.
Filmed and edited by O&Co Homes.
Production by The Local Production.
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
The Local Project acknowledges the traditional territories and homelands of the Indigenous peoples in the United States. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our respective countries and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
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