Tips to Setting up your new home!

The concept of home used to seem over-rated to me as a child. When I grew up and chose to study and then pursue the art of creating homes as a career, I realized just how foundational it is! A home is not walls and ceilings on a piece of land. Well yes, at its core, it is, but let me rephrase that – a home is not just walls and ceilings on a piece of land. It is so much more than that.

A home is a feeling of comfort, of safety, and of peace of mind. It is the place you want to go back to at the end of the day and feel calm, refreshed to step out the next day again. It is a place which you, through every tiny detail, mark with your identity. Today, we’re here to talk about a few of these details, and what they mean –

  • The front door – The boundary that defines the outside from the inside, your front door can say a lot about you. Going for a door that feels welcoming is one of the things that we lay emphasis on. Choosing light colours sometimes helps create a pleasant feeling, as opposed to dark, strong, forbidding doors. You want to feel welcome, not trapped.
 
  • A few pots at the doorstep can add freshness and a sense of positive energy to the home. And with the number of options today, you can get plants in different colours and flowers irrespective of the weather in your area! If the space permits it, landscaping of a garden is an excellent option and not very difficult or expensive to implement with a portico or a patio can be converted into a neat sit-out.
 
  • You can also add door mats manufactured in bright and welcoming colours, as against the mats that used to come only in the standard black or brown tones.
 
  • Another fun detail lies in the doorbell. Today, door bells need not be loud clanging devices that remind callers of the Fire Brigade! Bells that chime beautiful melodies are now available, and make for the feeling of homeliness.
 
  • The colours of your home have a huge impact on your mood as well! Unless a concept calls for it, painting walls in light, neutral colours help keep the spirit uplifted. Light shades of Pink, blue and green are most soothing, but if you need to increase brightness, light lemon yellow helps.

    TRY THE 30-60-10 DECORATING RULE:

    A classis décor tip – 60% of your room should be in one dominant colour which is primarily a neutral or pastel tone. The next 30% can be a secondary colour or texture that compliments the first. The last 10% can be an accent colour that gives your space character and a touch of your personality!

 
  • You can use this while choosing your tapestry, ensuring it contrasts with the furniture and walls, instead of blending-in. Avoid thick curtains – light floral curtains look as if they want you to sit around. Lately, bamboo curtains are being used for a ‘small-town look’, if that’s what you like.
 
  • Lighting plays a very, very important role in home decoration. Try to let the sun shine into as many rooms as possible. The lighting needs to be balanced right – neither inadequate, nor harsh. Mirrors can be placed so as to reflect light, and brighten up dark areas in the day or night.
 
  • Living Areas: Make Sure Your Sofas and Chairs look like they are chatting with each other – it makes people want to sit together and talk. Little Peg Tables or Coffee Tables beside the chairs and sofas suggest a long chat over a cup of tea or coffee.
 
  • Scale or size paintings and pictures according to the size of the walls – tiny ones become insignificant, while huge disproportionately large frames make the home look like a hotel lobby!
 
  • Carpets and rugs have a tendency to turn upwards at the edges, and trip people. They need to be properly anchored – they can be held down either by placing the furniture appropriately, or even with the use of double-sided tapes.

 

Irrespective of old or new, all homes need a little sprucing up with time. Hoping this helps you with decorating yours! If you found something useful, or would like to share a few tips of your own as well, feel free to let us know!