Your home should be an oasis that insulates you from the outside world. It should also reflect you and your family, your interests, and keep you comfortable all year long. If you’ve been thinking about ways you can revamp your home to make it feel happier and cozier, we’ve gathered some of the best home décor and renovation tips below. Keep reading to learn how to turn your house into your dream home.
Step 1: Figure out how you’re going to pay for it
To redo your home, the first thing you’ll need to do is figure out the funding for it. Whether you use your savings or a VA construction loan, it’s important to evaluate all the options you have at your disposal. Make sure you shop and compare if you go the loan route. It’s important to choose upgrades and changes that will add value to your home. And not just monetary value, either. The changes to your home should be focused on what will contribute to your overall happiness.
Step 2: Choose soothing colors and color palettes
Using color is a great way to improve the ambience and mood of a room. Consider using calming colors in bedrooms like greens, purples, and blues. If you want to add some excitement to a main living room, consider adding an accent wall. Use a bright, cheerful color like yellow or go for a more vibrant pink. Just be sure to balance it out with gentler colors if you decide to go bright.
Step 3: Add greenery
Plants liven up any space that they’re placed in. And, they don’t just look good! Studies have shown that indoor plants boost mood, increase productivity, help improve concentration, and inspire creativity. They can also help you feel less stressed throughout the day.
From a health standpoint, plants clean your indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing the indoor humidity levels, and generate oxygen.
If you want low-maintenance plants, consider choosing from the list below:
- Freckle-faced plant
- Succulents like a jade plant
- Ferns
- Fiddle leaf fig plant
- Ivy
- Chinese evergreen
- Asparagus fern
- Guiana chestnut
- Chinese money plant
Give your plants a better home than the plastic pots they are found in. Invest in colorful handmade pots for an aesthetic statement that will also make you happy.
Step 4: Adopt a furry friend
It’s been scientifically proven that adding a pet to your life can help you feel more relaxed and less stressed. If you live alone, a pet can provide companionship, too. If you don’t where to start looking for your four-legged friend, consider contacting your local humane society.
There are also local and national rescue organizations such as the ones listed below:
- Best Friends Animal Society
- ASPCA
- National Mill Dog Rescue
Remember: while breeders may try to entice you with purebred animals, there are hundreds of thousands if not millions of animals in shelters looking for a home that are less expensive – plus, you save a life. Adopt, don’t shop.
Step 5: Add in cozy accents
If your home is full of sharp lines and minimal soft textures, it can make your house feel a little cold. To fix that, consider add more cozy accessories to your existing décor and furniture. Grab some oversized throw pillows to make your sofa more inviting. Buy a new, big armchair to settle in and read a good book. Cover furniture in warm throw blankets and add in fabric-covered ottomans to rest your feet while catching up on your favorite tv shows.
Step 6: Consider your lighting
Fluorescent lighting isn’t just harsh, it’s also unpleasant to look at. Switch out bright white lights for lightbulbs that emit a soft, warm glow. Consider hanging strings of fairy lights to add a touch of whimsy to your rooms. And don’t forget to choose energy-efficient lighting wherever possible – it can save you money and reduces your overall carbon footprint.
Takeaways: Make your home cozier and happier, one project at a time
If you’re a homeowner, it’s time to take the reins and create a home that reflects what you want from life. By creating an inviting space full of soft textures, fuzzy four-legged friends, and plants, you can enjoy a more fulfilling home.
