Happiness starts with you and the environment you make but sometimes it can be easy to discredit your home and think that it’s the problem so you just want to move. But we all know that most of the time it’s the decor, clutter, furniture layout or differed maintenance that’s really got us down. And, on top of that, right now it can be nearly impossible to find the right fit in a new house. Or perhaps your location is ideal and you’re limited on what you can do with the house so you’ve got to find a way to love it.
If you're feeling unhappy with your home, it's important to remember that it's often the little things that make the biggest difference. Here are 7 ideas to get you started:
- (2) Add Plants Bring in some fresh plants to add life and color to your home! I know, I know, I’m the first to kill a plant and I do keep trying. So, if you’re like me, see if you can propagate some from a friend so when you accidentally drown (or starve it for sunlight) it doesn’t have a financial impact. And, if all else fails, dare I say that there are some fairly nice faux plants available these days.
- (3) Make Small Updates Quick and easy updates can make a bigger impact than you think. Is there an accent wall that needs a fresh coat of paint? Or maybe an entire room? Could you add an accent wall with a wood feature somewhere? Try swapping out a light fixture or sink faucet. Changing out the finishes can update the entire space when you maybe didn’t even realize its aesthetics were catching your eye.
- (4) Cozy Touches Swap out throw blankets and pillows in your living area or add more if needed incorporating interesting textures and patterns. Add a lamp or battery operated sconce to a dark area. Make it smell good with an essential oil diffuser or natural room spray. And, I know this one will be controversial but, remove decor with words such as signs. You’ve maybe never noticed but each time your eye sees words your brain gets interrupted and reads it consciously or subconsciously causing a distraction to your work from home, family, or simply contributes to mental overload. Give it a try, you don’t have to take them all down, or even get rid of them, just eliminate some words from your space and see how it goes.
- (1) Declutter and Organize This is absolutely the first step and you’ll see me recommend it over and over again. But I caution you not to get overwhelmed. Start small, tackle one room at a time. Think about each zone in your home and how use it. Is there an opportunity for you to consolidate or make intentional drop zones? Downsize your things before you start looking for storage solutions. You want your space to feel more inviting and comfortable.
(5) Get creative with your furniture and decor to give your home a fresh new look. When I was a kid, I rearranged my small second story slanted ceiling room weekly, and those obstacles were a challenge. But it didn’t stop me from trying something new and figuring out what worked and didn’t work. Think outside the box. Could a sofa go in front of the window instead of being across from it? Can your bed move to a different wall allowing for more room around it? Can you create a separate seating nook in an oversized open floorplan? Could you eliminate a TV from the living room because you have one in another entertainment area? Instead of keeping your matched furniture set from the big box store all together, could you swap one table out for another from a different room creating more of an eclectic feel?
(6) Energy Efficient Updates This one can be hard because most of the time it doesn’t involve anything “pretty” and we tend to procrastinate the maintenance of homeownership. Replacing roofs, windows, and siding can be expensive so don’t go straight to that update (but please plan for it in the future). There are other ways to make your home more efficient such as sealing your existing windows and doors or adding insulation to your attic. Appliances are a huge energy suck, are there any that have been on the fritz that you can update?
(7) Spend more time at home Our lives are on the go and many days we drop our things and head right back out the door. Make your home a priority to take care of, both inside and outside. This can help you form a deeper connection with your home and make you appreciate it more.
Finally, invite friends and family over for meals and gatherings to make your home feel more lively and remind yourself why you love your home and focus on the things that make it special and unique to you. By focusing on the positive aspects of your home, you can learn to love it even more.
Ready to really focus on your home? …….Enter our Dream Home Revolution
If it weren't for my kids' toy room ceiling collapsing, I wouldn't be here today…
and that's what truly inspired MeshedDesigns, Brad and me to create our dream home AND the culmination of my passion for helping clients build theirs (either through DIY or by hiring us)!
Everyone starts somewhere (hopefully yours doesn't involve a toy room ceiling collapse)! Download my Dream Home Revolution 3-Step Accelerator – it's free! Grab it HERE!
