How to Decorate So You Feel at Home
When I first started blogging, I kept one of my favorite quotes about decorating and lifestyle in my blog’s sidebar. If you have been a reader since the beginning, you may remember it. Diana Vreeland the legendary fashion editor’s insight so elegantly reveals the impressions we feel when we are in others homes. We may visit a friend’s home and love the way she arranged and accessorized her family room. When we enter our own family room we frown and think it lacks style and we need to go buy something new because it doesn’t look the same as your friends… …or does it?
Decorating versus Lifestyle
When I did residential design, clients would show me room clippings from magazines with the look they wanted to achieve in their space, but I found what they really wanted was the lifestyle and feeling the room evoked. I ended up not actually decorating for them, but helping them to “style their lives” and help boost their confidence in the choices they made. It rarely involved spending money. It was more of a matter of making better use of what they already owned.
The Power of Authenticity
When you think about how to decorate your home – walls, furniture, paint, fabric, and accessories usually come to mind, but the list often omits the most important factor – YOU and your families unique traits, passions, and personalities, and of course the “stuff” you love. These traits and things we all personally do to our homes with individual flair add up to enlighten others without us even knowing it. We don’t see our own decorating style from their perspective. It is when we think we need to copy or follow the dictates of some arbitrary decorating source to create a beautiful home, that it backfires on us because it is not authentic.
Finding Your Style
When I look at magazines, I get more excited when I see a glimpse into the homeowner’s personal life – a telltale sign that shows a life in progress. It could be the books in the bookcase or the way they have their mudroom set up with the names of their children over each hook. These elements add human interest and tell the lifestyle story of the occupants. Instead of thinking “designer” or good, better, best as the only element when choosing furnishings – think comfort, function, and personal style. Instead of wanting to copy a look you see in a magazine – first figure out what it is about the space that caught your eye – then proceed to add that element to your home. It may not have to be purchased or it may just require you to move items out or in from another room.
How Do You Want to Feel in Your Home?
Stop thinking about how you want your home to look, instead think… How do I want to FEEL in my home? Ask Yourself These Questions:
- Does your home truly reflect who you are?
- Are all your needs being met physically and emotionally?
- What do you do upon waking, eating, working?
- Is everything you need at arm’s length or easy to get?
- Do you have the right wattage of light bulb to read by?
- Is the sink at the right height, the cabinet for your dishes right above the dishwasher so you can empty it with ease.
- Do your rugs feel good under your feet?
- How do I really want to live?
- Is it casual, formal, cozy, spacious, dark, light.
- If you were the only person you had to impress, how would you decorate your home?
Your Home, Your Way
Your home should feel customized just for you and your family. How one feels in their home is as individual as each one of us – our tastes, personality, and past. To get your home to feel the way you want, start by making small changes. Begin with a list of the things that need to be addressed, and then tackle each room one by one. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try new things – the most important thing is to make your home feel like your own.
Starting Small
When it comes to making changes in your home, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But the key is to start small. Begin by tackling one room at a time, and focus on the things that need to be changed or updated. This could be as simple as rearranging the furniture, or as complex as installing new flooring. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that will make a difference in the way you feel in your home.
Making It Personal
One of the most important things you can do when decorating your home is to make it personal. This means incorporating elements that reflect your personality, interests, and hobbies. For example, if you love to read, you might want to create a cozy reading nook with a comfortable chair and a good light source. Or, if you’re a music lover, you might want to create a music room with a piano or a guitar. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that makes you happy and reflects your unique style.
Embracing Your Style
When it comes to decorating your home, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to follow the latest trends or styles. But the key is to find a style that truly reflects who you are and how you want to feel in your home. This might mean embracing a bold and colorful style, or a more traditional and classic look. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that makes you happy and reflects your unique personality.
Creating a Space That Feels Like Home
Creating a space that feels like home is all about incorporating elements that make you feel comfortable and relaxed. This might mean adding a cozy throw blanket to your couch, or a few favorite pillows to your bed. It might also mean creating a sense of calm and serenity, with a peaceful color palette and a few carefully placed plants. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that makes you feel good and creates a sense of warmth and welcome.
Conclusion
Decorating your home is all about creating a space that feels like you. It’s about incorporating elements that reflect your personality, interests, and lifestyle, and making your home feel like a true reflection of who you are. By starting small, making it personal, embracing your style, and creating a space that feels like home, you can create a home that truly feels like your own. So don’t be afraid to get creative and try new things – the most important thing is to make your home feel like your own.
In conclusion, decorating your home to feel at home is a journey that requires self-reflection, creativity, and a willingness to take risks. By asking yourself the right questions, starting small, making it personal, embracing your style, and creating a space that feels like home, you can create a home that truly reflects who you are and how you want to feel.
