Putting You Back Into Your Home

   

photo credit: Avia Venefica via photopin 

 It’s easy to get lost in the world of DIY interior design with limitless knick knacks calling your name. Keep in mind that the best accents in your home are direct reflections of you and your passions. Beginning a tradition of picking up a keepsake on trips is a great way to start collecting conversation starters that actually mean something. This doesn’t mean that you need to budget in expensive decorating items on every trip. Something as minor as a hand-woven banana leaf picture frame from your trip to Central America is a fantastic piece that no department store can match. Consider this an optional (and very fun) homework assignment from here on out. 

Until then, check out these tips for bringing you back into your home.

Spend Money Where it Counts: 

We all have hot button items that fire us up. Some of us have a penchant for safe cookware and others are nurturing a lifelong love affair with first edition books. If it’s in the budget, allow yourself to splurge only on the items that are really close to your heart and show them off. A pot rack in the kitchen for that copper set is a stunning centerpiece. However, for all of the other items, there’s no need to overspend. Luckily for us non-celebs, the trend of distressed high-quality furniture looks like it’s here to stay. If you want to freshen up your home, start scouring second-hand stores, flea markets, and garage sales. Opt for items that are solid-wood and well-made. 

  

Via

Your Best Decoration is Outside:

Lighting can make a world of difference. The right light can completely change the ambiance of a room and the mood of those in it. If you already have access to natural light, never cover it up with heavy curtains or furniture. It’s the best (and free) decorating you have at your disposal. Not all of us are lucky enough to live in a home with plenty of natural light. Choose lamps instead of overhead lights to create a homier environment. Selecting floor lamps with adjustable features is your best bet. Positioning a lamp upward towards the ceiling provides a softer light.

 A New Room for $100:

The most affordable way to completely change the look of any room is with a DIY paint job. Drastically changing shades can mean an instant transformation. Select high-quality paint and carefully mark off the edges with painter’s tape. Remember that matte, glossy, and semi-glossy is just as important of a consideration as the color. If it’s not in the budget to purchase anything beyond the paint, rearranging the furniture instead of buying new pieces can complete the makeover. Try out some new angles and placement. Experiment with feng shui. Put the couch in the middle of the room instead of against the wall and see how that changes your perspective on things. The point is, changing your home’s interior doesn’t have to cost a fortune. From painting to making a new seating arrangement to adding a well-placed personal keepsake, let your home’s look develop organically.