How do you want your home to feel?
When it comes to having a home we love and enjoy spending time in, the focus is often on how we want things to ‘look’. But don’t forget that the intangible – how our home makes us feel – is really important too. What’s hard about the concept of ‘feeling’ is that it isn’t always so straightforward or definable. The good news is though, we can help with that. It’s about understanding the kind of lifestyle you enjoy, and choosing the right paint and decor to suit. And it also doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Paint by numbers
Colour is one of the easiest ways to change the feel of a space. Most modern homes have been 50 shades of white for the past couple of decades, because we’ve all been told it’s the safest option. But there are plenty of ways to add different tones into your home, without creating anything over the top. The psychology of colour can go pretty deep, but at a high level, paint with yellow tones invokes joy, green and blue summon calm, accents of red can bring energy to a room, and hues of black and grey create a feeling of fresh modernity.
Layer up
Layering is how you add texture and warmth to your home. So this would be things such as plush rugs, cosy cushions, throws, curtains and soft furnishings. While they might not seem like much on their own, as you add them into a space, you’ll gradually build the comfort levels in your home. Think sheer drapes blowing in the summer breeze, or thick snuggly blankets on the couch for winter. Tip: There does need to be a careful balance of not layering too much so that a room looks cluttered. And if your main decor is heavy on colours and patterns (i.e. your furniture/flooring/walls) make sure you keep the layered items a little more on the plain side, otherwise it will be too busy for the eye.
Be true to you
Forget what’s currently ‘in vogue’ and go with your gut instinct.It’s easy to get influenced by staged homes featured in real estate listings and in glamorous magazines – but most of us simply don’t live like that. And who has the time (or the money) to switch up their decor everytime some new trend comes along. Is home a place to read and relax, tucked away from the world – or are you regularly hosting dinner parties with friends and family? Consider your lifestyle to build the foundation for the best decor to support whatever it is you like to do inside your four walls. And take the time to understand what it is you love about a home’s interior. Does bright, minimal and modern make you feel organised and lively? Perhaps an eclectic and relaxed look allows you to mix a number of styles, or you love that industrial is chic, but a bit more raw, dark and natural.
Bring nature indoors
Indoor plants are certainly a trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. And there’s probably a good reason for that. Many people love the way the greenery adds to their home and while plants look good, they also benefit our lives more than we realise. From giving us cleaner air to breathe, to reducing stress and lowering our heart rate and blood pressure – there’s plenty going on internally that we just can’t see. And if the thought of keeping a plant alive is too much to handle, peace lilies and succulents/cacti are extremely appeasing.
Display what you love
A home is where the heart is. From treasured family heirlooms, to photos of your family and art from your children or grandchildren – make room for them in your home/hang them on your wall/add them to your shelving units. It’s all about sparking happiness about people you love and cherished memories of the past. These types of decor make you feel things – good things – so surround yourself with them in your home.
A place for everything
Good storage and organisation is essential for a healthy, happy home. There’s plenty of studies around that show how clutter has a negative impact on our home life. Which is why a home’s interior decor should include spaces and places for everything. When we talk about creating spaces that are warm, inviting and relaxing – it certainly doesn’t conjure up images of surfaces covered with clothes to be put away, or dirty dishes and shoes all over the floor. If you want to feel truly ‘at home’ in your home, try to remove some of the ‘stuff’ that doesn’t add value to your life. And of course, Marie Kondo is a great source of tips and tricks for all things tidy and organised.
