What is your home to you? Is it the place you come to unwind after a long, hard day? Is it a living museum of your life, with every wall studded with mementoes of yesteryear’s memories and achievements? Is it an ongoing project which never ceases to offer new opportunities for you to hone your DIY skills making improvements, alterations, upgrades and renovations here and there over the years. Is it a virtual tour of your mind, with every article of your home decor making a bold statement about your tastes, proclivities and personality? Or is it simply the backdrop to your precious memories made over the years with a loving partner and / or family. It’s more than likely that most or all of the above are applicable to your home.
But your home is, among many other things, a statement that you make to your guests. It says “This is me, and this is my life”. But unbeknownst to us, our homes can say some very misleading things about us when we make decisions about its aesthetic arbitrarily. Since your living room is the place where your guests will likely spend the most time, here are some ways in which you can make sure that it says the right things about you…
I’m calm, collected and relaxed
If you want your living room to feel like an oasis of calm in a crazy and hectic world, the first thing you need to do is embrace minimalism. Even the slightest hint of clutter can compromise an aesthetic designed to create a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Use storage furniture to keep your bric a brac out of sight and out of mind. Use natural materials in your furniture and keep your color scheme muted and neutral. A few well placed plants will add to the air of serenity while a diffuser filled with essential oils like cedarwood, jasmine or ylang ylang will also help to create a calming atmosphere.
I’m laid back and fun
You want guests to feel relaxed in your home, so if you want to create a sense of fun while also maintaining a relaxed atmosphere it’s important to use statement pieces to let your sense of personality shine through while still keeping clutter at bay. Large pop art pieces or autographed sports memorabilia are fun ways to inject personality and character into your room while a big bean bag lounger can make a more personable alternative to a sofa.
I’m cultured and sophisticated
Sophistication is a tricky balance to find when it comes to home decor. Try too hard and it may come off as pretentious, but don’t try hard enough and the effect is lost on those who aren’t looking for it. Look for (or make) statement pieces that are unique instead of opting for chain stores. Choose wall art that speaks to you and avoid those framed moody cityscapes of Paris or Manhattan that have been coarsened by mass manufacture. Use plants and flowers to your advantage and use lighting to create a sense of mood and atmosphere.
Your living room says a lot about you. Just make sure yours is saying all the right things.
