Every time I enter someone’s home, I notice a trend of decorating mishaps. The most basic rules of simple interior design are often overlooked, but with my easy five step program you’ll be on your way to creating a space that you love.
Step 1: DECLUTTER!
This is always my #1 rule for creating a good living space. If minimalism doesn’t come naturally for you, check out this post on Apartment Therapy, How to Declutter Your Home. If you’re still not convinced, check out Martha Stewart’s 100 Reasons to Get Rid of it, which gives some very helpful resources that make it easier to part with your stuff.
If you have a lot of junk that you simply can’t part with, think of smart ways of organizing it into a pleasing display.
Step 2: PAINT!
You’d be amazed how much good a fresh coat of paint will do you. You don’t have to do anything fancy here, any shade of white will instantly refresh your space and make it look like new again. If you’re feeling lucky, however, there are many resources to help you choose the right color for your style.
The Latest Color Trends in Paint by Home Depot offers the latest color palettes and samples for inspiration.
Step 3: DON’T LET SMALL SPACES GET THE BEST OF YOU
Small spaces and studios are some of my favorite places to work with because they’re less overwhelming, less space equals less stuff to buy to make it look good. For more ideas, see Apartment Therapy’s Big Book of Small Cool Spaces. I will be writing about small space solutions in my future posts so stay tuned!
This small bedroom pulls off a minimalist uncramped look.
Even a closet-sized bedroom can look this good!
Step 4: ACCESSORIZE
Never understimate the power of accessories. The right pillows and throws can transform the simplest of sofas, for example. See more posts under the ‘accessorize’ category for ideas.
West Elm has a great selection of reasonably priced eco-friendly accessories.
Step 5: LIGHTING
The fixtures that you see in a lot of apartment rentals and new homes are usually the ugliest standard fixtures the owner could find. Often overlooked, a simple upgrade makes a big difference. Another solution is keeping the overhead light switch off at all times and using a few floor and table lamps to light the apartment instead. A well-lit space is a happy space. Stay tuned for my special lighting post coming soon!
BLOG POST: http://frugalmaterialist.com/five-easy-steps-to-a-happy-home/
Step 5: LIGHTING
The fixtures that you see in a lot of apartment rentals and new homes are usually the ugliest standard fixtures the owner could find. Often overlooked, a simple upgrade makes a big difference. Another solution is keeping the overhead light switch off at all times and using a few floor and table lamps to light the apartment instead. A well-lit space is a happy space. Stay tuned for my special lighting post coming soon!
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Overall, what we contribute to our homes is important, because every little change we make is improving the quality and the price tag of the property. Everything we do can make a positive change, and therefore you can create a happier home by only the simple things. There are also other ways to keep you happy too; such as looking at ways in which to keep home costs down and being a little more eco-conscious with your energy. With this in mind, you should consider looking at Gexa Energy plans to keep you and your wallet happy. You may want to also look at ways to keep your home secure, which will keep you and your family happy. Whilst intrusions may seem like something you may only hear on TV, it can happen and if you are not prepared, you could lose thousands including personal possessions. Look at getting your home installed with the best security also and a home alarm system, to ensure that your home is safe. Have deterrents around the home and make sure that you keep things out of reach. You should consider also adding blinds at the window so that people can’t see straight through at all the possessions you have. Having a happy home is wonderful and it is also achievable. It starts with a little thinking, some good planning, a good budget and great implementation. Improve your curbside appeal and add value to your home. It really is a positive step for any homeowner.