How to Go from House to Home
5 Tips for Creating a Warm & Inviting Space
Tip #1. Make an Inviting First Impression
Nothing says “Welcome home” like an eye-catching front entry. As the source of your home’s first impression, it’s the perfect place to begin. The finished product will make you — and your visitors — feel welcome at first sight.
With the addition of some simple, inexpensive accessories, you can easily create a welcoming front entry. The most obvious of these is, of course, the ubiquitous, yet oh-so-appropriate, “Welcome” mat. If space allows, you can opt for a more unique option by utilizing a larger outdoor carpet.
Other items that will add instant visual interest include decorative door wreaths, outdoor planters, and seasonal accessories such as pumpkin and hay bales, etc.
Tip #2. Treat (Your Windows) Right
Whether you cover them with curtains, shades or other types of treatments, window treatments are a major design element in any space. They make a powerful impact on both the overall look and feel of a room.
Although it may be tempting if you have an incredible view or fabulous woodwork, avoid the urge to leave your windows bare. Often, this leaves a room feeling cold and unfinished. A well designed space requires both visual and physical “weight”, and window treatments accomplish both. Proper window treatments will compliment a room’s furnishings, add texture, and provide privacy and light control while also allowing you to express your personality.
Tip #3. Never Underestimate the Power of Color
Few things impact a space as much as color. With the power to create ambiance and provide unity, color is key in transforming your house into a home.
With practically endless options, the perfect color exists for every taste and every space. However, those practically endless options also make selecting the right colors infinitely more challenging.
To avoid feeling overwhelmed, consider having a professionally customized color palette created. By ensuring a seamless transition from room-to-room and providing a guide for your decorating decisions, it will almost certainly save you time, money and frustration!
Tip #4. Hang it Up!
Just as rooms that lack color or window treatments can appear cold and boring, so can rooms without artwork. Bare walls can often give the impression of your home being “unfinished.” Every room needs a focal point, and one of the easiest ways to accomplish this is through artwork. Adding artwork is also a great means of bringing character and warmth into your space.
Since artwork is very personal, finding the right piece(s) to suit both you and your space may take time. Fortunately, online shopping (such as Art.com) offers a world of art at your fingertips. And while most online art vendors also offer framing services, it’s a good idea to simply order prints and have them framed locally later. This way, you can see the piece in your home and ensure that it looks and coordinates as you had pictured. You may also find your local framer offers more options, allowing you to truly customize your artwork to perfectly complement your décor.
Tip #5. It’s All in the Details
Just as life is in the details, your décor details will help elevate your house to true “home” status.
These accessories, selected and displayed properly, will personalize and enhance the style of your space:
Strategically placed, decorative lighting can become a beautiful accessory conveying warmth and ambiance.
A quality throw that coordinates with your space can lend a cozy sense of cheer when placed on your living room sofa or a side chair — inviting guests (or you!) to feel right at home.
Decorative pillows are another fantastic way to accent your space. They provide texture and a pop of color and can easily be changed throughout the year for an instant refresh.
Finally, don’t forget to personalize your space. You can do this by including decorative items that remind you of the people and things you love. For many people, this includes framed family photos or meaningful mementos, such as objects acquired during travels. When a space is truly “yours”, it will express your story and bring you joy!
Feeling inspired to make your house feel like “home”?
Expressive Interiors will be more than happy to help with any or all of the above. Because we truly believe that everyone should feel that there is “no place like home”!
Dawn Rousseau | 203-525-8988 | dawn@ExpressiveInteriorsCT.com
“Your home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love.”
- Nate Berkus