You’ve handed over a huge amount of cash, signed on the dotted line and got the keys. Finally the place is yours. You walk around, looking at the empty shell that is now your home. Perhaps you already have furniture from your previous place; perhaps you have to fork out even more money just to make it habitable. As you flop down on the bed to recover from the exertions of moving in, don’t only think of the practicalities; kettle, sheets, generator, chairs etc., think about how you will put your stamp on the place and make it truly yours. Allow yourself to reflect on how you will bring your own personality to the interior décor. After all, anyone walking in should know that this is your pad! In the first of a series of articles, I’ll share with you useful and cost effective ways to make it your own.
Firstly, free yourself of any hang ups; you are not big shot Lagos interior designer. This is your home and you want to make it stylish, comfortable, practical and above all, yours. So if you make a mistake, it doesn’t matter, you can always change it (assuming you’ve not spent millions of naira on the wrong colour of imported marble!).
Paint It’s the easiest, fastest, cheapest and most dramatic way to make a change to your home. Resist the temptation to paint everywhere the same uninspiring shade of creamy yellow. Think about your favourite colours and try to introduce a few of them into your scheme. If you’ve fallen in love with bright orange and think you can’t use it, don’t despair, put it on a feature wall. It will give you the hit, without being overpowering. In private spaces, such as bedrooms, really let your imagination flow. How about a dark and dramatic boudoir where you can unwind? Colour doesn’t have to be bright or dramatic all the time. For those of you who believe that less is more, paint in understated tones can introduce sophistication into a scheme. Think grey, beige, and other neutral shades. How about grey for the living room? Very ooh la la! Don’t forget the children’s space. Allow them to have a say in the colours used in their rooms, and if you or a friend are artistic, how about drawing some artwork on the wall? Their room will be the envy of all their friends. Furniture I won’t be the first to say it; buy the best quality you can afford. Try to avoid buying large pieces that are too on-trend. Interior fashions come and go and whilst you can easily replace those neon green throw pillows that you loved last year, a settee in the same colour is a different headache. Stick to the neutral colours when it comes to large pieces such as settees, beds, dining furniture and flooring.
Accessories Once you’ve got the basics in place, use accessories to draw the pieces together, they will complete the scheme. Just as a lady’s outfit is incomplete without a selection of earrings, necklaces, belts, handbags, shoes, scarves and headties, so a home is incomplete without pictures, mirrors, wall clocks, books and throw pillows. Storage Don’t underestimate the importance of good storage. It is not only in the kitchen and bedroom where ample cupboards and wardrobes are important. In the living room, you need somewhere to store books, put down drinks for guests, display audio visual equipment and somewhere for all those things you don’t know where to put! In the entrance hall, how many times do you want to step over those annoying shoes that everyone leaves lying around? A simple bench with shelf underneath provides somewhere to put the shoes and also somewhere to sit whilst putting them on. The simple rule is, you can never have too many cupboards, cubby holes, shelves and the like, they are your tool in making your home both practical and tidy. Applying these tips will ensure that you’re well on your way to making your house a home!
Join me next time to explore another topic on interior décor. If you can’t wait till then or want to let me know your thought on this piece, just drop a comment. Ciao!
Written by Chez Nana B.
Article Culled from -- http://www.plotsandhouses.com/makeyourhouseahome.aspx
Photo Credit -- Pinterest.com , Blueline Urban Projects, erikapryor.com, inisdesign.com, bensof.com, www.cgtrader.com
