Home Improvement Ideas to Implement in 2018
It is great to aspire to a dream home, and have goals of getting there, but in the meantime, you must continue to live where you are. Often in the city, this means a smaller space than you are used to. The trend toward smaller spaces means there are a number of ways to make the smaller space you are currently living in into your dream home.
There are a few simple steps to make your space not only more livable, but into a real dream home right now.
Remove Clutter
The first step to making the most of a smaller space is to remove things that don’t belong or don’t perform an essential function. This is where you take a hard look at what you have, what you need, and even what you don’t use.
If you have seasonal hobbies, sometimes leaving these items in your home year-round even when you are not using them produces a lot of clutter than can feel overwhelming. In this case you may want to consider getting a storage unit. You can use a service like Storage Finders to locate the size of storage you need that is both near you and affordable.
The things to ask yourself as you either move things to storage or remove them entirely are simple to say, yet difficult to implement.
- Have I used this item in the last year? Even equipment for seasonal hobbies will get used at least once a year, and if you have not used something in the last 12 months, you probably don’t really need it. If you only use things every few years, you may be able to rent or borrow them when you do need them.
- Does this item serve a function in my home? Function does not just mean a lamp that brightens a dark corner, but also things like kitchen appliances, dishes, furniture, clothing, linens, and other items that take up space and add to clutter.
- Does this item bring me joy? This is important because your dream home is not just about function, but about happiness as well. Art, decorative items, and photos make a house your home. However, if they do not bring you joy and add to your life even if they once did, you may want to get rid of them.
Asking yourself these things will help you remove clutter effectively. Take this slowly, one item or category at a time, and really examine why you have the things you have.
Clean Up
When space is tiny and cluttered, it is sometimes difficult to clean up, as getting around things and moving them can seem stressful and time-consuming. Once you have removed clutter, perform a deep clean on your home.
Sometimes this means pulling out or moving appliances, moving furniture, and even hiring a professional cleaning service to come in and help you with items you may not be able to do yourself.
Something as simple as cleaning carpets and floors, and really washing windows can make your home seem brighter and feel more welcoming. Adding scent using essential oils, diffusers, and air fresheners can change the mood and feel of where you live.
Change Up the Furniture
There are two ways to change up your furniture, and making these changes can often totally transform your home from where it is now to something more like your dream home.
Rearrange the Furniture You Have: This can be something as simple as changing what side of the room the couch is on, moving the television or chairs, moving plants, or placing lamps and lights in new places. Often in modern homes, the television is a central part of the living room, and is either wall mounted or can’t be moved due to power or other concerns.
It is helpful to decide what the central focus of your room will be, whether conversation or technology and arrange the space accordingly.
Get New Furniture: If you are ready to make major changes, getting new furniture can be the answer. While this may seem expensive, it is much cheaper than moving or trying to find a new home. Consider going minimalist: using smaller, more functional furniture that still looks good. If your television is not wall mounted, determine if that is an option for you to free up space.
As you rearrange, consider adding plants to your home, as they help clean the air and add a vibrant feel to your home. Certain plants do better in certain location than others, so do your research before adding them.
Changing up your furniture can make a huge difference in the space you already have, helping you transform your space into more of a dream home.
Convert basic attributes into a design feature
Even regular things that we are used to see in every home can be converted into a focal point or a design feature – for example copper radiators or gold radiators, wooden ceiling fans or fancy refrigerators.
Redecorate
Colors, lighting, and other decorative touches make a real difference in the mood of your home, and how it feels when you walk in.
Taking the time to redecorate mindfully can make a huge impact on your space. Look at color psychology, add full spectrum and LED light bulbs, and even simply change art and how it is displayed.
The decorations in your home say something about you, but they also influence your mood and how you feel. Use warm, relaxing colors that you like, and make sure your lighting can be adjusted to match both your needs and the atmosphere you are trying to create.
Making your current home into your dream home can be life-changing, and the transformation can be incredible. Get rid of clutter, clean up, change up furniture and redecorate to totally transform your space. Wishing you Happy New Year!
