10 Affordable Tips for a Happy Home.
Follow these tips to create a good home environment and making everyday life easier.
1. Home Interiors are ALWAYS a work in progress.
Keep things fresh and loose by changing things up. Perfection stifles creativity. No, one item, has a specific place.
Change out pillow covers on your sofa or in your Guest Room in the Spring and Fall (or anything else movable and easy to store for the season).
In the winter…use candles for a warm feel; and in the spring….use fresh flowers to bring the outside in.
2. A home isn’t a Museum.
Use every room for fun and gathering. If you have a room that is only used for special occasions (maybe 6-10 times per year), what do you use it for for the other 340 days?
3. Don’t over accessorize..
Follow the rule for getting dressed…. get completely dressed, then, take one item off. A space with too many items in it will look cluttered and junky…even with the most expensive of items on display.
4. SURPRISE!
Just like when you are looking in a store and you turn the corner and see a great display….that’s a surprise.
Add spontaneous items out in the open. If you are working with a neutral palette in a room, add one bold, unique looking item that will make someone say “WOW” and people will take notice.
5. Don’t think in terms of Feminine and Masculine.
Stay away from overly ruffled items, bows and too much lace. Think in terms of “soft” or “glamorous” when wanting something a little more girly.
6. When shopping for furnishings….
It doesn’t matter where it came from, YOU, just have to love what your living with.
7. Fabulous Finds.
In today’s world of “Going Green” recycled items are a must. If a friend offers something to you, that they are tired of, do a trade and (provided they don’t want the item back) re-purpose it to coordinate with your interiors or add a “WOW” spot to your home. ANYTHING old….can become new again!
Wood floor planks to Wine Rack.
Toothbrushes as wall hooks for kids.
Old armoire turned game center.
8. Think outside of the box.
Think of all the business out there and what the possibilities there products hold. Download a picture you like online and cut-out a pattern to create your own stencil. Go to a tile store and ask for their discarded or damage products (some will be greatly discounted, others might even be free) and revamp an old side table you are looking to spiff up. There are tons of mosaic ideas online. Go to a produce company and ask for their fruit crates and create vintage storage containers. Use wide, colored tape, to create stripes on the walls in a small area .
Old milk jug...turn to table base or bird bath.
Industrial Coils turned barstools.
9. Party in a Closet.
Impromptu party? Keep everything you need stored (and organized) in a closet. Bar napkins, containers of peanuts, cups, plates, candles, wine and more. You don’t want to have to run out and shop at the last minute before entertaining. When you start running low, replenish.
10. You get what you pay for.
This is tried and true! When you find good people to work with, make it worth their while and yours. It will reflect in the work and maybe…get it done sooner, rather than later. And by the way…don’t forget to tell them how much you appreciate them….It goes a looooooooooooooong way!
Want to find out more? Visit: www.affordableinteriordesigners.com.
[...] Vote 10 Affordable Tips for a Happy Home. [...]