Designing Your Space

Homes Expo
Designing Your Space

Home is not just where the heart is, it is the place where you live and go to unwind, relax and recharge after a long day. Decorating or accessorizing your home is a deeply personal thing and should reflect your tastes and interests; it should be an extension of your personality – it’s all about the personal touches. You may literally have the same front door as your neighbour but it is the space within the walls that counts.

Whether you pride yourself in minimalism or hoarding, whether you are alphabetised or disorganized, your home is your canvas. When guests walk in the front door, they should be able to know who lives there by the special touches and reflections of your personality in every room. You don’t have to spend a fortune or hire a designer to transform your space into your own personal haven. You just need to know what you want and devote your time to the cause.

To fully customize your space, understand your tastes and preferences and know what works for you and what doesn’t. The key to tasteful interior decorating of your house is to understand the difference between less is more and more is not always more. Here’s a list of some helpful suggestions to get you on your way to tasteful home décor.

Take notes – Mental or otherwise.
Walk around the house and decide what to keep or what you could do without. And be a little tough on yourself, don’t keep it all – some things have just gotta go. Like that chest of drawers nobody uses, or that old chair that he refuses to let go of.

Keep the items you cherish.
Check the top of your dresser, your mantel, and your bookshelves and pull out special clothes or items from your closet. Focus on the items that make you feel beautiful and joyful. Parts of your décor can be influenced by some of your experiences and memories. While traditional photo albums and scrapbooks are slowly being phased out, try displaying some of your momentos on walls and furniture where everyone can see them. Display the lyrics to your favorite song in an artful frame or make a meaningful quote into a giant wall sticker.

Use trays, decorative bowls and baskets.
These items help to give a bit of umph to your set-up, to arrange collections or help loose items like keys find a home. For a hint of glamour, try adding a glitzy little tray. On top of the tray, you could place a pretty little candle or a small bowl of colored stones. These little things go a long way in giving the room a little spice.

Color me pretty.
Chose paint colors carefully. The color of the walls goes a long way in brightening up or dulling a room. Red, pink and other bright colours really make a room come alive. Mixing wall colours is also a trend that is catching up fast and it transforms a room in an instant.

Flowers.
It may seem like a simple tip, but adding floral arrangements, live plants and natural items such as shells or rocks can really add that final touch to your interior design. There are many easy-care plants that can last for long if watered and well taken care of.

At the end of the day, home is about creating a space you feel comfortable in, a place you can happily escape away from the outside world. No colour is too bright, no pattern too outrageous and no design is too wacky. Your home is yours, and you should be able to do with it what you please.