In this blog, we are helping you to refresh your home while teaching you about sustainable home styling techniques.
It’s January. Christmas is over, we are back to work, and to top it off the sparkling festive decorations have to be put away for another year. It’s sometimes hard not to feel a little blue. Yet January is also a time for new beginnings and we like to use this month as a time to make some changes around the home.
But, wait. Who has any money for home improvement after the expensive festive season??
Fear not, because The Home Stylist has so many ways to refresh your home while consuming less. This blog is all about reducing, reusing and recycling when it comes to interior design and decor.
Less IS More
Before you even consider adding or changing things, take a look what you’ve already got. We always start with a declutter. You’d be amazed at how different your home feels with less stuff in it, even if you’ve changed nothing else!
If clutter and hoarding are things you struggle with, then we suggest reading the Marie Kondo book on decluttering. This is the best place to start if you don’t know where to begin.
If you’ve read her book, you’ll know that it says “once you’ve read the book, please pass it on”. So you may well find one of these in your local second-hand shop!
The two questions to ask yourself in a major decluttering session are: “have I used this in the last year” and “would I buy this again”. If you answer no to either question, then it’s time to go.
Get Moving
Once you’ve decluttered, a great way to refresh your home is to move your furniture around. Do this on a day when you have a lot of time to play with, trying different positions and angles. This will also help you find out what you do and don’t need.
If you can’t move your furniture, or you like it’s positioning, then try rehanging your art to update your look. Hanging your art in a different room (if your colour scheme allows) will make you appreciate it as if it is brand new.
Whether your shelves are full of useful items or decorative ornaments, organising and rearranging your shelving can have a dramatic effect on your space. When rearranging shelving, don’t forget the 70/30 rule: your shelves should be 70 % full and 30% empty.
Something that’s very calming – though some might say a little OCD – is to colour match the spines of your books… your study will suddenly seem a lot less chaotic.
Upcycling and DIY
When doing a stocktake of what you have and rearranging your furniture, you may realise you don’t like some of the pieces as much as you did previously. Don’t worry, you still don’t have to hit the shops. It’s time to upcycle and there are loads of options out there.
Get to your local DIY store and buy yourself some paint. Paint or repaint pieces of furniture, mirrors and, if you still have that dodgy bathroom suite from the 90’s, paint those too. You can get great tile and bath paints now.
If you have time for a bigger project, then why not paint a feature wall? Or even the whole room. You can easily find a new paint to refresh a room while sticking to your current colour palette.
One of our favourite things at the moment is statement wallpaper and it is very ‘on trend’. if you don’t have the confidence to go large, try it in the smallest room of the house – this will add some real drama to a downstairs toilet!
If you’re renting and aren’t able to put this on the walls, then have some of your favourite patterns/ designs put onto a panel or in a frame. It’s like inexpensive art!
Sustainable Home Decor Shopping
Buying more home decor or furniture should be your last resort but there are also some ways that you can buy sustainably for your home.
If moving or painting your furniture still doesn’t make you love it, then listen to Marie Kondo: “don’t love it, get rid”. But, never ever just throw something away! One man’s trash is another’s treasure.
Hit up your local vintage shop or second-hand market to both buy and sell. This is one of our favourite ways to buy while still consuming less. These items have already been made and should be reloved!
Social media sites are also a great place for both buying and selling second-hand furniture and decor. Facebook Marketplace is perfect for scouting for gems in your local area.
Another tip we often suggest is to update your soft furnishings. Bedding and cushion covers are far less expensive than furniture and can give a new lease of life to an old sofa or bed. Find a new ‘popping colour’ that fits your current colour scheme and don’t be afraid to mix up patterns and textures. This is a good time to research the latest trends for some inspiration!
Refreshing and restyling your home doesn’t have to mean a total redesign and spending loads of money. If you are passionate about consuming less but need to give your home a new lease of life, then stick to these sustainable home decor tips.
Still need a helping hand? Contact us to find out how we can guide you to style your house sustainably and create a home that you love.
