THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "HOUSE" AND A "HOME".
While a house is a space that serves your basic needs, a home is a beautiful place for your friends, family, and you to create memories and enjoy life. Choosing the right furniture and accessories that are both personal and functional will transform your house into the haven you desire.
START WITH AN OPEN SPACE
A clutter-filled home environment is often the result of general family living. But the more space you're able to create, the more options you'll have when it comes to choosing furniture and accessories to suit your lifestyle.
Take a good look at your furnishings, accessories and storage spaces, in order to begin afresh. Sell, donate, or dispose of anything that's just gathering dust, creating obstacles in high-traffic areas or contributing to a cluttered look. This way you can step back and visualise the environment you want to create.
GET CREATIVE WITH COLOUR
Colour is the perfect way to infuse your home with your own personal style. Colour can enhance your mood, establish a theme and evoke specific emotions. For an organic, natural look which fits beautifully with coastal, shabby chic and French Provincial styles, choose timber furniture in white, ivory or warm honey as the base for your scheme. Neutral wall colours provide a perfect backdrop for coloured accessories—cushions, ceramics, frames and prints—which can easily be changed at little cost when you feel like a quick refresh. The key is to surround yourself with colours that make you feel positive, uplifted and relaxed.
CHOOSE FUNCTIONAL FURNITURE THAT SUITS YOUR STYLE
Once you've decided on a theme and your colour palette, take some time to think about the purpose your furniture needs to serve. For example, if you'd like to create a country-style kitchen and dining room, consider a timber dining table that seats the appropriate amount of people but also fits comfortably into your space. Match it with timber cabinets, shelving and wine racks that convey your style, but are also useful for storage, thus reducing clutter.
THE FINISHING TOUCHES
Finally, to give your house a 'homely' atmosphere, accessorise to suit your interests, hobbies and personal style. For example, if you love the shabby chic style and you've chosen white or ivory timber furniture, highlight the eclectic look with baskets, hat stands, books, antique style hooks and displays of vintage crockery. You could also design a photo wall or scatter framed photos of family, friends, travels and inspirations throughout your home. Large photo frames are also perfect toppers for timber buffets and hall tables, mixed with your cherished knick-knacks to highlight your personality and give you pleasure. The possibilities are truly endless!
With the right mix of open space, furniture and individual style, your house will transform from a mere shelter to a wonderful place you simply can't wait to come 'home' to.