Whether you work from home, spend long hours in the office away from home or you’re a Stay-at-Home Mom it’s still important to create a space that you will love to come home to, no matter how much time you spend in it.
The way you decorate your home, organize your cabinets, position your furniture, hang your photos, shelves and lighting it can all have an important affect on your overall mood, happiness and wellbeing.
Think Long Term
If the idea of redecorating your house seems overwhelming, then keep in mind that you don’t need to go overboard painting, wallpapering and buying objects to fill every last room, shelf or wall. Start with the space you spend the most time in, whether it’s the kitchen or the living room. Aim for a style that can change and evolve over time, as new tastes and trends develop. Don’t go crazy on expensive accessories or a fashionable piece of bright neon furniture that you may grow to hate later on. It’s important to keep in mind that your needs will change over time.
Don’t Compromise on Quality
If you don’t have the cash right now to invest in a leather ottoman, or an expensive rosewood closet, then take your time to find quality furniture and upholstery that you’ll love. You can often find exquisite pieces for sale more cheaply second-hand online, or in thrift stores. Don’t compromise on quality by buying cheap furniture that will get damaged and break, or that will make you nervous every time you look at it. Not only will your space feel cheap and look unappealing, but you’ll most likely have to buy everything again as low quality items won’t last.
Make a Large Space Feel Cozy
If you have a large living room with high ceilings that can feel a little cold, try some simple tricks like organizing your furniture differently. Gather the sofa and chairs together around a large coffee table and don’t be intimidated by big walls. If you’re not a fan of using dark colors (that can be great for adding warmth), try painting with neutral tones that allow you to add dark accent colors, such as espresso or burnt orange. Use dark cabinets to create warmth and contrast with lighter tones.
Make Good Use of the Light
If you’re lucky enough to have large windows or open sliding doors, then make the most of natural lighting in your home and use light colored curtains. Make sure that there are no obstructions in front of the windows, such as large plants or ornaments.
And if your home doesn’t get a ton of natural light, then think carefully about how you position your lights and what you want to shine your lights upon. If you want to create a place to sit and read in, then make sure that the lights you use are strong enough to be able to read, without being so bright that they feel like a clinic.
Finally, even if you’re overrun with tiny tots, you have a large dog that sheds a lot of hair, or you’re just not a very tidy person, try to keep your home clean. It doesn’t have to be spotless, but if you can try to keep the clutter to a minimum, not only will you reduce the risk of accidents from tripping over your shoes, but your space will be more inviting as well
