It’s about this time that we’ve all realised and perhaps (finally) accepted that our financial goals are going to have to be put off for another year. But that doesn’t mean that we have to abandon all senses of style and desert all wanton indulgence. Rather, we just need to be a little smarter about it.
Many British families that were thinking about selling and upgrading, are now putting off big financial decisions for a year to catch up and recover from what has been…well, you were there.
So if you were planning on a new home, in Britain or away and now have to “put it on the burner”, we’ve created a few top tips that you can rely on to turn your patch into a palace, in the meantime. (and perhaps, if you really like the result, for a long time).
Convert Your Unused Corner Spaces Into Dream Spaces
Most of us have that one corner that we never know what to do with, or rather we are doing something with it – but hate it. Whatever reason works for you, you can turn your corner into something special. To instantly add some gilded appeal to your home, turn unused or underused corner spaces into lush reading rooms. Note to self: substitute “reading room” with “wine room” interchangeably.
If you don’t have an unused corner or big enough landing space, then take a spot in your living room and turn it into your own private idyllic place of solace. There are many ways to do this, including moving your current furniture around and designating a spot in the sun, adding a chaise or daybed. Even if you only get to use it when you’re all alone and the kids are at school, you can still easily place this in the “worth it” column, and take the win.
See a Red Door and You Want it Painted Black?
Black is the new black and this extends to walls, ceilings and balustrades if you have them. You will be entirely surprised by how versatile this colour can be when it’s accessorised with the correct fittings. It works particularly well in a formal lounge or study and if you’re feeling really brave, use it in your bedroom with a dark red ceiling, wrought iron chandeliers and fittings and Victorian dressers or escritoires to achieve a deliciously gothic look. If you have art hanging on the walls, you don’t need new art – just change the framing accordingly and you can instantly add a new dimension to your space. Placing smaller works of art in maxi frames creates depth, texture and an interesting look. It’s also a great way to revive tired old works that you don’t want to let go of because of sentimental value.
If you’re feeling particularly filled with creative courage, then you can instantly change the mood of your kitchen from boho chic to old world charm by painting the walls black but keeping everything else exactly as it is. If you have a bit of cash to splash, replace appliances with SMEG appliances in bold red, or Miele appliances in brushed metal.
Drape for Your Life
To add instant glamour and class to a living area, study area, library or guest room (or main room for that matter), drape with thick, outlandish material and then layer over it. If you don’t know how to do it, you can find loads of online resources. Curtains are not just a means to keep curious neighbours from peeking inside your home, they can transform the look and feel of a space without you having to do anything else to or for that space. So even if the curtains might cost you a few quid, it’s still cheaper than having to redo an entire space and if you match those drapes up with interesting tie backs or iron hooks, you’ll add a bourgeois bohemian feel. If you’re on a budget and ready-made is for you, you’re still spoilt for choice with just a bit of
creativity. Drapes/curtains are also a wonderful way for you to make your stamp onto a communal space.
Make an Entrance
This one can work for everyone. You don’t need a palatial entrance hall to strike a very impressive pose for guests at your front door. By placing a “key-table” at the door with sufficient space beneath for a painting, artwork or quirky sculpture, you can instantly turn an otherwise dull spot into a focal point that oozes personality and uniqueness. If you don’t fancy going “down under”, then you can place a low level, narrow table in the space between your front door and living room, and then put an oversized earthen or metal pot on top of it, with dried flowers or plants, or lush greenery inside. This literally breathes energy and life into the entrance space of your home. If you paint the wall behind the installation a different and contrasting colour to the rest of the walls immediately adjacent or opposite to it, you would also add “space” by perception and created a very stylish space at the same time. You can seriously up the ante by hanging a free-standing light fixture directly above the plants. You can be as eccentric as you like here, it is your space after all.
Just Another Brick in the Wall
If you own your home and you are a little bit crafty or you have someone you know who is, you can transform a teens bedroom, your bedroom or a communal space into an edgy, loft-style space simply by stripping the walls. This doesn’t have to cost a fortune if you’re on a budget but if you do have a few spare pounds here and there, hiring a pro to do it will give a professional look that lasts. The great thing about this look is that you can accessorize with just about anything and even if you are on a budget, it gives you a high fashion “couture” type look to just about any space. If you have a home that borders on industrial then it’s a no-brainer but if you want to add personality to a room that’s going to make everyone go “whoa”, this is the perfect way to do it. If you don’t change anything else in your room, but strip a single wall to expose the brickwork, you’ll be onto a winning theme.
Bedrooms into Boudoirs
Your bedroom is (should be) your sanctuary. This is where you heal the days that hurt and where you dream about what’s coming tomorrow when what passed was less than perfect. It’s also the “staging area” if you like, for your what your day is going to look like, so suffice it to say then that whatever budget you have at your disposal, could do with having the brunt of it allocated to your bedroom. Take an ordinary bed and erect a canopy over it for instant fairytale appeal, or take the bed out, throw in a thick pile rug (even over an existing carpet) and then invest in some high quality, fresh new linens. Accessorise with pillows, throws and thick duvets in the winter and you’ll have changed an ordinary bedroom into a Hampton-Court-Palace- Worthy retreat. The best part? Size doesn’t matter. You can achieve super dramatic looks with carefully draped fabric and top-shelf linens.
The “thing” to remember is this: it’s your home and you should have the final call on what works for you or doesn’t. It’s a good idea to take inspiration from magazines and online, but ultimately it’s you and your family’s space, so don’t get caught up in “what goes where” and what doesn’t. If it works for you and is soft on the eye, you’re winning.