Don’t you wish your home looked like something out of those design and interior magazines? Well that may not be very practical or even possible (those pristine white sofas are a devil to maintain in our dusty Indian climes). But there are ways to quickly and easily upgrade your interiors; to make changes that not only improve the look of your home but also improve quality of life for you.
Organise
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A place for everything and everything in its place…. this is a good rule of thumb to follow. Create shelves, utilise cubby holes, cabinets and drawers to keep things organised and neatly stowed away. Not only is it out of the way now, you know exactly where to find it when you need it.
Declutter
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Another rule of thumb: if you’ve not used it for a couple of years get rid of it. Less is often more when it comes to furniture. De-cluttering makes your interior spaces neater and more attractive. There is less stuff to dust, look after and store. Plus getting rid of useless stuff is cathartic.
Add some green
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Just a few potted plants can enliven a space. Be sure to pick plants that thrive indoors. If you’re not sure about being able to look after living plants, use some fake ones. Artificial plants are low maintenance, don’t create a mess from the watering or leaves shedding and they don’t die on you!
Some splashes of colour; an accent wall
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Coloured planters, some vibrant cushions, a bright area rug or just a colourful table cloth that contrasts with the rest of the décor can add some eye catching brightness. Similarly, an entire wall done in a bright colour whereas the rest of the walls of a room are neutral coloured looks great and is really simple to do as well.
Pay attention to the lighting
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Another rule of thumb: yellow light is warmer and more attractive, white light is harsher and less welcoming. You could have some track lighting or focus lighting installed. The alternative is simple, pretty lamps (for the floor, table or suspended from the ceiling) that light up parts of the room you want to focus on – cheaper and simpler.
Wall art from family photos
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A collage made from a collection of family photos or many frames of varying sizes and shapes on a single wall is both attractive and simple to do. Let your wall art tell a very personal story.
A few quirky pieces
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Remember how you decluttered and got rid of some useless furniture? Replace it with a few quirky pieces such as an interesting armchair, a funky coffee table, or some smart looking shelves.
Art by kids
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This can be another unique and very personal way to decorate: his first ever palm print, her first ever happy birthday card for ma, their beautiful quilling projects or the other little imperfect but adorable handmade items all make conversation starter décor!
Author – Reena Daruwalla
