We welcome Rose Morrison’s new post, How to Fall in Love with Your Home Again, her guest article for Slipcovers for Your Walls, casartblog for Casart Coverings removable wallpaper and decor. Be sure to read Rose’s bio at the end.
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Homeowners face the tall task of keeping their houses clean and livable while maintaining style and visual appeal. The latter part of this challenge can get stale after a while, especially if you live in an older residence with outdated features. Boredom and complacency set in, making you feel out of place in your own home.
This experience happens to almost every homeowner at some point, so you’re not alone. These five design tips will inspire you and help you fall in love with your home again in no time.
1. Bring Outdoor Elements Inside
One of the reasons your home might feel dull is because it’s too fake. After all, today’s homes consist of many artificial and chemically treated materials, including cement, drywall, paint and plastic. You can counterbalance these artificial elements by bringing some of the outdoors inside.
Nature-focused building techniques — also known as biophilic designs — are growing in popularity thanks to changing homeowner priorities. People are becoming more aware of their environmental impact and are incorporating more natural elements into their homes.
Biophilic design simultaneously makes your home more sustainable and attractive. You can start with the basics by adding more natural building materials. There are many varieties of wood and stone to choose from, including bamboo, mahogany, marble and limestone. Their authentic colors and textures will bring a breath of fresh air into your home.
Round-shaped architecture is another natural design element that humans have utilized since ancient times to make their buildings stronger and more appealing. Nature contains more curvature than jagged edges, and your home should reflect that. Add round shapes in small places, such as your furniture, windows and light fixtures.
You should also bring more plants inside. Greenery improves indoor air quality and seamlessly introduces more vibrant colors. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert gardener, because you have many low-maintenance plants to choose from. Snake plants, succulents and cacti are three popular species that require little water and sunlight and are virtually indestructible.
2. Knock Out That Renovation Project
Although not everyone will admit it, every homeowner has a home remodeling project that they’ve been procrastinating on. You know this renovation will improve your home’s living experience, but you just haven’t gotten around to it. Now is the time to knock out your project once and for all.
If you need additional incentive to get started, these remodeling ideas can significantly increase your home’s market value:
- Replace old or broken appliances
- Add new kitchen and bathroom features
- Build a deck or patio
- Add a garage or shed
- Deep clean the floors
- Repaint the exterior siding
- Freshen up the landscaping
- Install new ceiling fans
Renovations can be daunting if you don’t have building experience, but these projects are more than manageable for most homeowners. They will give your home a much-needed makeover without breaking the bank or messing with the infrastructure.
3. Light a Fire, Big or Small
The warmth and brightness of an open flame are powerful enough to revive even the coldest room. Consider getting an indoor fireplace if your house doesn’t feel as cozy and comfortable as it used to. Installing a fireplace will increase your home’s value and give your living room a fresh new centerpiece for everyone to enjoy.
Lighting a few candles can make a huge difference on a smaller scale. They will give your house a new scent, which is an overlooked part of homeownership. You might not notice your house’s unsavory smells, but your guests do. Candles with strong scents will counteract these foul odors and keep your home smelling fresh.
Adding new scents to your bedroom, kitchen and bathroom will help each space feel more unique. If you’re worried about smoke inhalation or hurting your home’s air quality, clean-burning soy wax candles offer a simple solution. People might have different design tastes, but everyone can agree that an open flame makes rooms more relaxing.
4. Use Bolder Colors
Every home’s color palette needs an update now and then. Most homeowners take the safe route with uncontroversial picks like beige and cream, but you should try something bolder. Incorporate warmer shades to brighten up the space and give it more life. Experiment with different complementary color combinations like these popular pairings:
- Red and white
- Red and black
- Blue and yellow
- Gray and yellow
- Black and orange
- Teal and cream
If you don’t want to repaint the walls, you can still add these bold colors in smaller ways. Flowers, artwork and other decorations are big enough to draw attention but small enough to keep a balanced color scheme.
This renovation is also a good opportunity to introduce a new theme to your home based on the surrounding environment. For example, homes in the southwestern United States utilize lots of gold with hints of turquoise and purple. New England goes heavy on navy blue and Nantucket red, commemorating the region’s historical past. Find colors that complement your local climate and culture.
5. Rearrange the Furniture
How long has your furniture been sitting in the same spots? If your current setup feels stale, it’s time to do some rearranging. Start by moving items away from floor vents and radiators. This small adjustment will improve the room’s ventilation, helping it stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Plus, it could help you save on utility costs.
You should also create more open floor plans to allow for easier navigation. Walking around a cramped house gets tiresome after a while, even for people in good health. Spread out the furniture and establish wide pathways to permanently avoid the hassle of bumping into tables and chairs.
Furniture is perhaps the most versatile interior design element. You can coordinate it with many other features, including biophilic design, color schemes and even your fireplace. Implementing a spacious floor plan with new furniture items could change your home’s entire look and feel.
Start a New Chapter with Your Home
It’s natural to feel complacent after living in the same house for a long time. Once you get used to looking at the same design elements in the same places, boredom is bound to set in. These five adjustments will help you start a new and exciting chapter with your home, bringing it back to life and giving you a renewed sense of ownership.
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Additional posts & resources:
• Color Wallpaper & Decor Trends That are Timeless for 2023
• New Casart Furniture & Room Decor that is timeless
Many thanks to Rose for this article with lots of helpful ways to enjoy decor trends for timeless design.
About the author:
Rose Morrison is a home improvement and design writer.
She is also the managing editor of Renovated. Follow her on Twitter to see more of her work.
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