Martha Stewart Ditched A Popular Home Design For A Cozier Solution

Martha Stewart has long been celebrated for her unmatched ability to curate enviable, inspiring lifestyles, earning her iconic status as the original influencer. Martha didn't build her legacy by merely following trends, but by always remaining authentic and embracing her personal style, whether it aligned with current fads or not. That's why it comes as no surprise when she leaves certain outdated, yet popular home designs in the past. Instead, she embraces a fresh approach, moving away from the trend of prioritizing form and instead focusing on creating spaces that emphasize function and comfort.

Focusing on function means saying goodbye to rooms that look stunning but serve little purpose. Among the home design choices you likely won't see in Martha Stewart's home are form-focused rooms, like dining rooms that are only used for special occasions. Instead, Martha's approach makes sure every space is purposeful and inviting, transforming houses into homes that are used and loved daily. 

If you take a look at all the homes that Martha Stewart owned, you'll see her commitment to creating spaces that are both beautiful and livable. When Martha Stewart focused on prioritizing function over form, she took a hard look at the rooms in her home that weren't serving a real purpose and decided to give them multiple uses. During the pandemic, she realized how little she was using her dining rooms and decided to transform them into multi-functional spaces. By dividing one dining room into zones, she can sit at a cozy table for casual meals on one side. The other side features a sitting area with plush furniture where she comfortably take Zoom calls or wind down the day with a drink.

Martha also brought this style to her main dining room to create a more inviting atmosphere. She moved sofas to sunny spots by the window, and even reupholstered seat cushions with plusher padding, creating seating that was ready for relaxation. Then, she also added a tea and coffee station to the room for an extra touch of convenience. These approaches transformed her dining rooms from rarely used spaces she'd admire from afar into useful, cozy rooms she can enjoy every day.

Martha Stewart's living room redecoration might inspire your own, giving you a chance to prioritize function over form. She recently updated one of her living rooms, embracing a relaxed, purposeful design. By rearranging the furniture and adding smaller focal points like intimate seating areas, the room encourages conversation and lounging, making it more inviting for everyday use. Martha even addressed critics of her new living room look on social media, explaining that (via Instagram) "it was an attempt to change quickly and efficiently, making a house a home," proving her dedication to designs that feel livable rather than staged. 

One of Martha's notable tips is to focus on functionality. She believes that pieces should be purposeful and that practicality is a key component to design. Her updated living room is a perfect example, blending elegance with comfort to create a space where people want to gather and relax. Whether it's adding plush, oversized seating or thoughtful layouts, Martha shows how cozy, functional spaces can transform a house into a true home.