5 Expert Tips for Creating a Home You'll Love
Want to make a home that you love and is unmistakably you? Well great, you’re in the right place. Today, I’m sharing my top tips on how to make your space beautiful, magical, and undeniably YOU.
1. Forget the Trends
Courtesy of Remodelista: Interior Designer-Patrick Bernatz Ward
Don’t get me wrong, trends can be great and fun to incorporate in to your design to keep it new and fresh. But they should by no means be what dictates the design of your space.
Unless your staging to sell your home (which is a totally different story), basing your home design of off trends is a bad move. Black kitchens might be hot right now, but does it fit your style?
In today's digital age, trends cycle through at breakneck speed, thanks to social media. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, constantly trying to keep up on the hamster wheel of the latest styles, leaving us in a perpetual state of FOMO.
Amid this trend frenzy, it's essential to find your personal design style, creating a timeless space that truly reflects what YOU and what you love, regardless of the ever-changing trends.
Here's the real question: Will you still be head over heels for that trendy choice once it's yesterday's news?
If the latest and greatest doesn't genuinely align with your style, chances are you'll be craving something new sooner rather than later. And if you're not the type who just loves constant redecorating, you’ll probably end up frustrated for hopping on the trend bandwagon.
So, my advice? Let's avoid that rollercoaster.
Here's the big takeaway: Have fun with trends and incorporate them in small, easily changeable ways. But when it comes to crafting a space that's genuinely "you," slow down and figure out what truly resonates with your design sensibilities.
2. Find Your Vibe
Courtesy of Edition Modern Luxury: Interior Designer-Stefani Stein: Photographed by Sam Frost
Between Maximalism, Boho Chic, Cottage Core, Rustic Modern, Mid-Century, Scandi, and Japandi- there are a 1000 and 1 styles out there to confuse you.
But putting a label on your style is not really what’s important. What is? As I mentioned above- finding out what you love.
Taking the time to figure out your personal design style (your vibe) can be one of the most empowering things that you will ever do. Why? Because to know your vibe is to know yourself.
You might be wondering, if we're not chasing a specific style, then what's the game plan here?
Well, it's actually pretty straightforward. It all comes down to capturing the right vibe – that elusive emotional atmosphere of a space. So, ask yourself: How do you want your space to feel? How do you want to feel when you're in it?
To help you get there, consider these guiding questions below-
7 Questions to Think About
Do you like things simple and uncluttered or does more = more resonate with you?
Do you prefer soft and muted colors, deep and dark, white and bright or is bold and colorful more your thing?
Are you more attracted to cool blues and grays or warm beiges, rusts, terracotta, and tan?
How do you see your home? Is it warm and cozy, sophisticated and elegant, calm and serene or playful and whimsical?
Will you host parties, entertain family and friends or is your home a sanctuary only for you and a chosen few?
What inspires you? Beautiful artwork, your kids, nature?
Who do you want to be? What kind of home would this person live in?
Once you've tackled these questions and unearthed your vibe, the path to defining your style becomes crystal clear. It might be that you radiate a chill, laid-back vibe or perhaps an outgoing, energetic one.
Here's the secret: it doesn't have to be a strict black-or-white choice; you can embrace both or even a mix of opposing ideas, and that's totally normal.
See, you don't have to pigeonhole yourself because, truth be told, you're likely a delightful blend of styles, feelings, and emotions.
And guess what? That's what makes your style uniquely and wonderfully YOU. It's a tapestry of nuances and contradictions that makes your space all the more captivating.
3. PLANT ONE ON
Ok, I know that the first thing I told you was to forget the trends. But let's face it, the indoor plant trend is still going strong, and for good reason!
I genuinely believe that having some greenery and /or flowers in your space is a game-changer.
Now, you don't need to turn your home into a jungle like some plant influencer on YouTube- no judgment here, I have my fair share of plants too. But trust me, bringing a touch of nature indoors can truly make your space come alive.
That’s because we humans are naturally drawn to plants – it's in our DNA. And considering that we now spend a whopping 80% of our time indoors, it just makes sense to invite some green friends in.
Now, there's some debate about whether plants significantly improve air quality (recent studies suggest otherwise), but one thing's for sure – they give life to a room like nothing else.
Plants are sculptural and can add another layer to your space that will send your decor factor through the roof. And like I said, you don’t need a ton- just one or two larger scale ones will do the trick.
If you're in a major city, you've probably noticed tons of cool plant stores popping up due to their resurgence in their popularity. But if you're not surrounded by trendy plant boutiques, your local big box stores or garden centers do a pretty good job of stocking some good choices.
Now, I can already hear some of you saying, "But I'm a plant serial killer!"
No worries, there's hope for you too. While I'll always champion real, living plants, there are some high-quality artificial plants out there that can get the job done. Just be sure to choose the best quality and add some finishing touches like a stylish pot, a touch of moss, or some delicate pebbles on top to nail the look.
4. DISPLAY WHAT YOU LOVE, HIDE WHAT YOU DON’T
I hate to go all KonMari on you, but here's the deal: only show things that truly make you happy.
When we're surrounded by items that hold meaning for us, it creates an emotional connection to our living space. Whether it's your cherished book collection, vintage albums, or a guitar with sentimental value, proudly display these meaningful possessions.
And really, sometimes it's the unconventional items that can truly make your space feel like home. Depending on what you've got, you can showcase them using built-in bookcases, hooks, hangers, or shelving to achieve a thoughtfully curated appearance.
And don't limit yourself to collections; you might simply have beloved items you want close by. Just be mindful of their placement to create an intentionally decorated look rather than a mishmash of clutter.
Surround yourself with things that bring joy. But for those practical (yet less exciting) items like cleaning supplies or paperwork, go for stylish storage solutions like decorative baskets, sleek cabinets, and dedicated storage areas. It keeps everything organized and out of sight, letting you enjoy the decor that truly sparks joy.
So what about the stuff you don’t love? Well, you could go Kondo and get rid of everything, but if that’s not practical or you don’t have the stomach for all that, just go through and see what you can quickly give away to charity or what is broken that needs to be tossed out.
Buy some display-worthy storage boxes for papers, bills and documents to keep them neatly organized and looking good.
Beyond that, box up unwanted and unsightly things, mark what they are and put them away and out of sight…for now.
Design Firm- Hudson & Mercer: Photographed by Philip Durrant
You will eventually have to deal with them, but at least this will give you a quick fix and improve your space dramatically.
If you’re dealing with something like a hideous chair that is making you cringe, but you can’t get rid of it- paint it. Or get a nice throw and a pillow to drape over it and cover it up. If that's not your thing, try to relocate it to a less noticeable corner.
If you have books that you want to keep, but aren’t that great to look at- buy nice looking storage with doors so that you can keep them tucked away, but still easily accessible.
You see where I’m going with this… there are tons of ways you can tweak your space to make it feel right for you.
So, gather your cherished possessions and take a good look at what works well together and how you can arrange them.
Experiment, have some fun with it, and don't worry if it doesn't come together perfectly on the first try. Even professional designers and stagers often need to shuffle things around, add, and edit until they achieve the right feel. The key is to take your time and enjoy the process.
5. INCORPORATE A STATEMENT PIECE
In my humble opinion, every home deserves a statement piece or a focal point. And here's the thing, it doesn't have to break the bank or be excessively flashy – it just needs to make a statement.
Think of a focal point as the first thing that grabs your attention in a room. It's like the standout accessory that completes an outfit – like those striking earrings or a unique tie. Without it, your space might look pretty good, but it won't have that wow factor.
A focal point serves as a visual anchor, guiding your eyes and adding order to the room. It tells you where to start, allowing your gaze to explore the rest of the space from there.
Your focal point or statement piece can often set the design direction, but it doesn’t always have to be the case. Sometimes, an unexpected style addition can make the space even more intriguing and dynamic.
And don't be fooled into thinking that minimalistic or zen-inspired spaces don't benefit from focal points. Whether it's a serene Buddha statue, a soothing fountain, or a striking orchid, it doesn't have to scream for attention – it just needs to make a meaningful impact.
Still not sure what your focal point or statement piece should be? Here are some ideas-
Fireplace
Artwork
Lighting
Couch
Rug
Boldly painted wall
Plant
Mirror
Kitchen island or backsplash
Bathtub
Cabinet and door hardware
Crystals
Shelving
Faucets (tapware)
Wallpapered wall
Door
Range hood
Chair
Sculpture
If you are having difficulty trying to decide how you want to decorate your room, choosing a statement piece can often put you on the right trajectory, giving your design direction and focus.
Never forget that you are designing your space for YOU! Forget the "shoulds" and focus on what genuinely feels good to you. Trust yourself and enjoy the journey- happy decorating!
