7 easy ways to improve your home and make your space delightful

CONNECT HEART & HOME ///

Is the space in your home functional and bland or full of pizazz and energy?

I grew up in a time when my mother kept a "best room" It was a real thing. We had a room dedicated to entertaining. A rarely used space filled with my mother's finest trinkets, collectibles and furniture. As children, we were not allowed in the room and definitely no sitting or touching! This room, of course, was usually the biggest, brightest room in the house. Wasted on keeping up appearances. For occasional guests.

Still today, she would rather cover up a chair with a towel to "protect it" That's protect it from either humans (sweat, blood and tears) or the sun (you know.. from fading)!

But she has always loved collecting ornaments and quirky statement pieces. At times totally in the way of life and a clear view of the TV, but still, they were glorious vibrant pieces and a celebration of her love for colour, travel and animals. And, of course, a declaration aligned with her unique and beautiful personality. This approach to saying yes to acquiring all the things that catch my eye and speak to me is a gift passed onto me by Mum.

Times have changed, but I say enjoy your things. All the things. They are replaceable and upgradable. They, like life, are there to be enjoyed, celebrated, and broken and lived on. 

There is a space for functionality too. I firmly believe that all the spaces in your home should be tailored to suit your life and how you live. 

That said, adding your personality to each room is equally important to me. Colour, texture, patterns, negative space, trinkets, treasures, souvenirs, presents, favourite photographs, and art. All of it.

Here are seven ideas to improve your space by focusing on both functionality and that pizazz and energy I talked about!

1. Furniture and room layout should make living easier and more comfortable. A cosy everyday living room with chairs angled towards each other and the TV. A dining table that fits your space primarily and can be adapted to seat additional guests if you lack space. Comfortable pieces for everyday life. Not for occasional visitors.

2. Don't be tempted to buy matching furniture. A couple of matching pieces are fine, but your space will benefit from different styles of furniture or even different colours. It is often easier to get right if you keep a common theme, for example, roughly the same shade of timber. 

3. Statement storage pieces that help with clutter (particularly when you have kids) but that are beautiful to look at and or with additional function, like used for displaying decorative pieces on the top or used to hide ugly power cables or appliances.

4. Display favourite trinkets grouped by colour or style. A great way to display odd bits and pieces is to arrange them so that you have a combination of shapes and sizes grouped together, large and small, tall and short, round and square, etc. For example, I like to incorporate small photo frames with a couple of small trinkets next to them, which makes them look much less lonely.

5. Don't display appliances in your kitchen or home that you don't use often. This reduces clutter. For example, do you really need a kettle and a coffee machine out all of the time? Just asking.

6. When choosing wall decor, try to have a few variations. For example, some traditional frames with pictures/art behind glass in different sizes. Canvas art. Odd shapes and textures, for instance, boho-style wicker wall hangings or a pretty cuckoo clock. 

7. Plants and flowers. If you buy the right ones, indoor plants are a glorious way to add personality and life to your interior. I have a few dotted around my home, which I have been able to keep alive for years! Buying fresh flowers for a boost is another excellent way to add a bit of life to everyday living. Flowers make everyone happy!

So you see, creating a more welcoming, comfortable space around you filled with colour, love, and personality is simple. You will enjoy coming home, being at home, and having lots of interesting pieces to talk about with friends!

What are your favourite ways to make your house a home?