How can I make our condo have more of a home feel to it?
Question:We bought it a little over two years ago, but didn't move in until a few months later. We painted the walls and have done some minor repairs (it was in pretty bad shape when we bought it) and hung up a few pictures. It still just doesn't seem like home. Any ideas of what we can do? We still have a lot of work to do on it and maybe when we finally finish it will seem like home but until then what are some small things that we can do?
Answers:
I never feel like it's "home" until I hang pictures on the wall, but it sounds like you have done that. Perhaps new curtains and bedding might help? Sometimes just something "new" will brighten a room, making it feel warmer.
Good luck!
You need to have your things around you. Personal, sentimental items, knick-knacks, photos of family & friends. Candles, ambient lighting (floor & table lamps), and fragrances (bake cookies!) will help give it a homey atmosphere, too.
Live plants will help give it some life.
Why do I have the feeling there are off-white blinds and way too much beige in there among the drywall sheets and rolls of carpet? Bring in some plants, pillows, accent rugs, curtains and a few magazines.
Visit an Ikea for ideas and lots of reasonably priced furniture, lamps, and color options.
Color- use color to set moods in your home! Don't be afraid to mix color and patterns for a lived in feel. Just don't go overboard or you might clash.
Decor pieces- while I do not like a cluttered look, not having some items that add a nice touch make a home feel to spartan and minimalist (unless that's what you are going for!).
Throw pillows, curtains and fabrics(again, with color and patterns!)- This will just bring some nice coziness in.
My website may have some pictures in it that will give you ideas. I am a direct seller for a home decor company but don't feel like this is an ad pitch- I have had to make a condo and a mobile home feel like home so I have some experience. The set ups on my site with the products just may be an inspiration for you to do something with what you have already or can find locally. Of course, if you do want to go shopping, I'm not going to argue, LOL!
Good luck!
Holly
http://www.athome.com/hollypia
You can try warming up the space with throw pillows, blankets and rugs. Try decorating with objects that have a special meaning to you, photos, momentos... Some nice lighting helps too, floor lamps, table lamps, desk lamps with lower wattage bulbs for area and task lighting. There are also inexpensive ways to add a more custom look to any room now, like crown moldings and built-in looking shelving.
photos are the best way to make your home feel like a "home". put pictures up of family but also go and purchase photos of nature birds,waterfalls, sky etc. You would be surprised the kind of feeling photos can bring to your home. It can also set the mood and nature is the best way to relax...here is a great photography site i found, her pictures are beautiful
http://www.wisconsinphotos.com/...
Go to Home Stages Designs website and look through the library of Interior Design instruction ebooks. You are sure to find many idea's there!
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