If you haven’t jumped on the home interiors bandwagon yet, then why not? More than just a fun hobby, it can transform your home from mediocre to marvellous in just a few simple tweaks, and enables you to express yourself creatively, too – putting a personalised stamp on your abode.
Everyone needs a happy place, a space to call their own, to relax in and to be proud of – and giving a little thought to colour and placement can make it seem like you have your life together even if you don’t.
It’s easy to create that air of opulence you’ve always wanted, and to achieve that luxurious feel. Here are a few simple tricks to get you started – and they’re guaranteed to make you fall in love with interior design, too.
Add colour using soft furnishings
The general rule when it comes to colour in your home is that less is always more – but that’s not to say that vibrant hues don’t have their place. Keep the walls neutral and calming to create a spacious feel – but don’t be afraid to add colour with statement pieces of furniture – a sumptuous velvet sofa can create a strong visual impact whilst adding warmth to a room, too – think dusty pinks, lilacs, or teal blues.
As seasons and trends change, cushions, rugs, and throws are much easier to update than trying to replace a bright yellow fridge, patterned curtains, an expensive couch or the paint on the walls – but soft furnishings are much easier to reinvent.
Create a feature wall
If plain and neutral walls just aren’t for you, then why not create a feature wall to add some life and personality to your living room? With plenty of beautiful designer wallpapers out there, opt for something striking and luxurious looking for maximum effect.
The key to an impactful feature wall is in the preparation, so be sure to ready your surface carefully before you start. If your walls are already papered, then invest in a quality wallpaper steamer to make removal easy – and fill any holes with vinyl spacking compounds before sanding to ensure they are smooth. Apply a primer coat, and then you’re ready to go.
Plants, plants, everywhere
Greenery is a quick and easy way to add a dose of style to your home interiors, so fill your home with succulents and tall, leafy plants. Place them in pots around your ornamental fireplace, or create a feature plant shelf in your kitchen or living room – the more, the better.
For added variety, why not tart swapping cuttings with friends or neighbours? It can make a great social talking point, and most plant lovers are always happy help like-minded people out with advice to care for yours, too.
Don’t underestimate the power of feng shui
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese ‘art of placement’ that aims to connect humans with the environment – but besides this belief that arranging your home in accordance with feng shui will ward off evil spirits, it’s also a very handy interior design tool. Use it to create more usable and free-flowing space.
To follow the principles, keep the bathroom and laundry doors closed – water represents energy in feng shui and these rooms are where it flows away from the house (letting energy escape). If possible, position your bed on the opposite wall to the door to give yourself a clear view of the entranceway for security, and ensure symmetry in the bedroom by using matching bedside tables and other pieces of furniture.
Minimalism is key
And finally, don’t forget that mantra again – less is always, always more. Clutter can make your home look untidy and unattractive, so ensure that everything has a place and tidy and sort through your belongings regularly.
Invest in adequate storage systems, if needs be – but always ensure that things are put away for optimum visual impact.
