Whether or not you love the home you’re in, the significance of our homes took on a whole new meaning during the Covid pandemic. The concept of loving our living spaces instantly became a higher priority for most as was evidenced by the influx of home buying and selling in 2020 and 2021.
Not everyone can afford to move into the home of their dreams, but there are still ways to make the home you’re in, one you love. Here are nine simple ways to create a home you can fall in love with:
- Clean with intention: Schedule time to do a deep cleaning. Cleanliness can change your perception of space as well as evoke feelings of calmness and order. Play music and dance while you clean - make it less of a chore and more of an opportunity to invite people over, share your space with others (cleaning for others versus yourself can be more motivating).
- Let go of clutter: Clutter can feel chaotic and disorderly, giving a space the opposite feeling of calm and relaxation. Consider donating items you no longer need or use. There is a freeing feeling that comes every time you get rid of clutter (especially knowing items will likely be kept from landfills and potentially put to good use).
- Clean windows: Often an overlooked task, you may not even notice the difference until it’s done, but you’ll be glad you did! Clean windows throughout a home not only allow in more light, they also contribute to the overall brightness and appearance of your home.
- Change your artwork: If you’ve had the same artwork hanging in the same spot for years, consider moving things around. You may appreciate seeing pieces hanging in different light or in different rooms. Artwork often brings joy. Consider hanging, or potentially moving the pieces in your home.
- Fresh flowers: Fresh flowers can make any room feel brighter. And floral scents often evoke positive emotions (as long as they’re pleasant to you). Consider treating yourself to a fresh, colorful bouquet - they can do wonders to make a space, and you, feel good.
- Move your furniture around: One way to freshen up a space is to experience it a little differently than usual. Have you considered a different layout for your furniture? Perhaps that one chair that’s been stuck in the living room corner would help to brighten up a bedroom? There are no rules (other than maybe space and a few key pieces, like beds) that determine what belongs where in a home - get creative and play with pieces that are easy to move.
- Add living plants/bringing the outside in: During Covid, the design world experienced a big push towards outdoor living, which not only included creating new outdoor living spaces, but also saw an increase in nature-related interior design. Rattan lighting and furniture, earthy colors and textiles, all saw a big comeback. Added to that was the addition of living plants within the home. Not only are plants a great way to add life to a dull space, they also bring the added health benefit of producing oxygen. Just be sure to look up which plants are toxic to pets if you have them, especially cats.
- Wallpaper a room/wall: Wallpaper has made a big comeback in the last few years, and designers are getting creative with it. Wallpapering ceilings in a painted room is one trend we’ve seen, as well as wallpapering a select wall within a room - and this could be any room from a living/family room to a kitchen to a bedroom. With so many new options to choose from, including removable wallpaper and peel-and-stick versions, this is a more feasible project than one might think.
- Change the fabric throughout a room: How old are your curtains? Could your throw pillows use new covers? Or perhaps your couch or chair could benefit from a new cover. It’s incredible what adding a fresh pop of color, or new textile can do to a room. Consider whether something is worn or outdated. What item do you love the most? What item would you most like to change? If budget allows, adding a new rug to a room can work wonders!
Even if you’re not living in your dream home, you can still learn to love your home by making it yours. Remember, homes are what we make of them, whether you rent or own. We hope you find some of these creative solutions helpful. If you’re looking for additional ideas or would like to know what changes could add value to your home, reach out. We’d be happy to provide additional guidance based on what buyers are looking for when purchasing a home.
