Lately, especially during the live sessions with Dr. Francesca Basile, I’ve been talking about change and the importance of improving our spaces so they can always support us!
However, often, when we want to make changes to our home, we don’t know where to start!
In fact, we’re so used to our spaces that we don’t know what needs to change!
We could say we’re accustomed and don’t notice things anymore because they’ve “always been that way,” and we’ve lived with them well (or almost)!!
But if you want to freshen up your home, you should look at your spaces with different eyes!
To do this, it’s helpful to enter each room as if it were the first time, with paper and pen, and ask yourself a series of questions!
– WHAT’S THE FIRST THING I SEE WHEN I WALK IN?
Take note of what catches your eye at first; naturally, there’s no right or wrong answer!
It could be a painting, a console, a simple vase, or a photo frame!
Now ask yourself: “Is this what I want people to see first?”
While it’s correct that your home should represent you and please you, it’s equally true that if there’s something you don’t like, you might avoid or limit invitations because of it.
Moreover, if you don’t want it to be the first thing people see, actually, you don’t want it to be the first thing you see, either!
(credits: Scout & Nimble; etsy.com)
– IS THE ROOM AIRY AND BRIGHT OR DARK AND “DEPRESSING”?
No matter how small the room may be, it should give a sense of spaciousness and be as bright as possible!
Not all rooms have abundant natural light, but as mentioned other times, there are many tricks to “brighten it up.”
Primarily, use mirrors, then glossy surfaces and metals, which are elements that best reflect light!
(credits: puresaltinteriors.com; realestate.com.au)
– IS IT A WELCOMING AND INVITING ENVIRONMENT OR COLD AND “REPELLENT”?
Take a critical look at your surroundings and answer honestly.
You should feel welcomed, embraced, and immediately at ease when you enter different rooms.
If this isn’t the case, try to think of those things that would make you feel better.
It could be changing colors, using textures and materials, or personalizing with some unique objects or decorations!
(credits: @indiebohonest; marianaorsi.com.br)
– DOES THE GAZE FLOW SMOOTHLY THROUGHOUT THE ROOM, OR IS SOMETHING BLOCKING IT?
It’s crucial that when entering a room, the gaze can flow freely throughout the space.
That creates an unconscious pleasure in the mind, promoting relaxation.
There may, indeed there should, be a focal point that draws more attention, but generally, the gaze should be able to move without any “obstacles.”
Therefore, it’s advisable to remove or rearrange anything that might somehow hinder this flow of vision!
(credits: Becky Shea Design; Rafael Soldi)
– ARE THERE VISUALLY HEAVIER AREAS?
Check that there are no areas where all the furniture is too clustered and others empty.
Having everything placed only on one side of the room creates an imbalance that leads to an unconscious discomfort in the mind.
It’s good to balance visual weights and play with heights for the same reason!
Moreover, this will also help with the previous point, as it will aid in the flow of the gaze!
(credits: johnlewis.com; ruggable.com)
– WALL DECOR… IS IT TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE?
The walls are also crucial, and walls too crowded with photographs and paintings can feel suffocating!
While it’s true that empty spaces are necessary to provide breathing room, it’s equally accurate that completely empty walls can appear sad!
In addition to the number of decorations, be mindful of their sizes; everything should be proportionate: decorations that are too small will get lost, and those that are too large will dominate.
Choose elements that represent you, that hold meaning for you, and, of course, harmonize with the chosen style and colors!
(credits: cose di casa; rh.com)
– ARE THE COLORS IN THE ROOM MONOTONOUS OR VARIED?
Speaking of colors, does your palette appear varied and harmonized or flat and monotonous?
Colors must create play and contrast to add movement and rhythm to the room.
Even if you choose a monochromatic palette, playing with the same color’s saturations, shades, tones, and nuances is paramount!
If you have more than one color, following some precautions is paramount, I discussed it here.
(credits: posterstore.co.uk; Meridiani living)
– ARE THERE ANY PATTERNS AND TEXTURES, OR DOES EVERYTHING SEEM A BIT FLAT?
In addition to playing with various color saturations, everything mustn’t be smooth and solid-colored, as the environment would appear somewhat flat.
You can use patterns or textures on walls, perhaps with wallpaper!
If that seems too much, use them on curtains, rugs, cushions, armchairs, and even sofas!
There are also some slight considerations regarding pattern combinations for a harmonious and pleasant result, which I discussed here!
(credits: Jenn Feldman; furniture jolene-113)
– IS THE ROOM NEAT OR A BIT CHAOTIC?
Clutter isn’t ideal for beautiful, harmonious, and relaxing spaces; we’ve said it other times.
Check to see if there are things around that would be better stored away; perhaps you need to add a few more storage elements.
They could be baskets that, moreover, will decorate, add textures, and “warmth” to the environment!
By clutter, I also mean the visual clutter of a room that may be too full of furniture or objects.
Evaluate critically if there’s too much and if you might feel a bit “overwhelmed”; if so, try to remove some!
(credits: yanaprydalna.com; kassavello.com)
– ARE THERE PLANTS IN THE ROOM?
That is also an essential aspect of improving your spaces.
You might be tired of hearing it, but plants reconnect us to nature, making them essential elements for our homes.
You don’t need to have a jungle; sometimes, just a leaf or some branches will do, and there isn’t a room (excluding the utility room) that can’t have plants!
While real ones are preferable, if, like me, you’re not exactly blessed with a green thumb, know that it’s been proven that even artificial ones (as long as they look realistic) have the same effect on the mind!
And this holds even in terms of Feng Shui!
(credits: @oh.eight.oh.nine; afloral.com)
If you examine the various rooms of your home by asking yourself these questions, you’ll find that you’ll be able to identify areas where improvements may be needed to enhance the spaces!
I hope this article has been helpful and enjoyable for you. If so, let me know in the comments!
Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, I would be honored, and it will help me gain more exposure.
If you feel that your home, or any specific area of it, doesn’t reflect your personality enough, don’t wait any longer and book your consultancy!
This post is also available in: Italian
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!