I’ve been watching the market for a home, so every day I’m sorting through listing photos, looking for a potential home. If you’ve done this a few times, you’ll wonder the same thing as me – what in the world are people thinking?
Every room with a different color and theme.
Different flooring in each room?!
Cabinets, backsplash, tile, and appliances that are all aesthetically fistfighting each other.
The list goes on, but I’ll spare you. Instead, I want to share some tips today to keep you away from the mismatched fun house and into a peacefully cohesive space.
Start by asking yourself a couple questions.
What do I really love about this house/apartment? Maybe it’s the natural light, the color scheme of your countertops, the quirky windows, or the vaulted ceiling. Try to associate it with another feeling or place, ie, “this feels Victorian,” or “this reminds me of my favorite hotel,” or “this reminds me of an Upper West Side apartment.”
What theme could I give this space? Use your answers from the first question to make this decision. Even if there are only one or two places in your space that give you a certain inspiration, that’s enough. For example, if your theme is “British garden,” find a picture (or even a mental image) that you can work with. What colors do you see? What shapes? What textures?
After answering those questions, you should have a sense of what direction you want to take in your home. There are a few different ways you can incorporate a theme.
- Colors. Find a palette and stick with it. Use some variations here and there, but keep the colors in the same vein.
- Reoccurring art style. Right now, I’m enjoying hand lettered quotes and colorful world travel paintings. You may decide on oil paintings, maps, or maybe even minimal line art. Whatever you decide, you can weave it throughout your home.
- Similar decor items. Fresh flowers, stacks of antique books, baskets, plants – it’s up to you, but just tying in some of the same styles throughout your space can make it all fit together nicely.
- Switch out some furniture pieces. Try to get all your furniture pieces to compliment each other in each room. While I believe in mixing woods and fabrics here and there, I think it’s equally important to not have different styles fighting with each other, either. If you have a few “oddball” pieces that don’t tie in with anything else in your house, it might be time to move them on for a more versatile piece. (And remember, you can always make a little change off your old pieces by selling them on Offerup, Marketplace, or Craigslist).
That’s it for tonight! I hope all these ideas helped you!
Happy Decorating!
