01 Jan 16

10 New Years resolutions to transform your home decor

Who’s woken up with a sore head this morning? If you’re anything like me it won’t be long before the Alker Zeltsa wears off and you start feeling irritated by all Christmas decorations and will be craving to clear through the house, make a fresh new start and re-think your home decor.

I’m a total sucker for New Years resolutions! I love the feeling of a clean page on which to create something new. This year I’m committing to meditating every day. I downloaded the Headspace app last New Years and only made it to day 15. But I’m not put off, I’m going to give it another go as I just keep reading more and more the health benefits of this simple practice. I’m hoping it will help me focus and find calm in my busy life! My other resolution is to dedicate myself to this blog, and post regularly. I’m going to commit to twice a week! Eek! So here goes, my first post of 2016 is to think about resolutions that could transform your home decor. They’re my top ten as I think they’re all inspiring and achievable which are the two essential ingredients to any resolution you might want to commit to. I’m not suggesting you do all 10 but I hope you find one or two that could make a difference. You see my other resolution for 2016 is not to take too much on!

Be a colour lover

I’m going to start at the top- resolve to add some colour to your home decor. Its the quickest way to transform the look of your home. Why not take the plunge to paint a whole room a new and exotic shade? You could experiment by going a bit deeper a bit brighter than you’d normally dare in a room you only occasionally use, like a spare room or hallway. Failing that add a pop of colour to an existing scheme. A bright patterned rug to anchor the space (the bigger the better) a new jewel inspired sofa or a bright new pair of lampshades. It will give your room an instant lift. Especially after all the jolly Christmas decs have been taken down. Check out my pinterest board for some serious colour loving inspiration.

Kill the clutter

OK, this is a big one but I really believe its single-handedly the most effective way to totally transform not only the look of your home decor but how you feel about it too. I see it over and over again (and I’m totally talking to myself right now) we hoard way too much stuff we don’t need or use. It doesn’t look pretty and could be totally killing off your room scheme. So to break it down, and resolve to declutter one room in your home. If it’s the kitchen, begin with out of date food, gadgets you don’t use, mugs that you never want to drink out of, cook books you don’t like the recipes. You know what I’m talking about, it’s all in there! Be inspired in the knowledge that you’re make room for replacing those things with something that you do find useful and beautiful. You can use this theory and go through each of your rooms. If you don’t use it loose it!

Image found on issuu.com

Go green

Another great way to refresh your home decor for the New Year is to invest in some green plants. It’s better if they are the living kind, although I’m not adverse to a little fakery. Check out Abigail Aherns range, they’re pretty cool and she knows all about making a statement. Plants really give a room the feel good factor and help to bring balance to many colour schemes. They can pep up a subtle neutral scheme or add some calmness to a bright and vibrant one. Not only that but living plants help clean the air we breath. Houseplants have never been so fashionable right now. Be inspired by a collection of terrariums, potted ferns or a tropical fruit tree.

Go hard or go home

If you have tired and tatty carpets, consider ripping them up, laying a hard floor or preparing the boards underneath by sanding, staining or painting and then cover them in over sized rugs. Hard flooring in the heavy traffic areas like the hallway, living room, dining room and kitchen are so better suited in my opinion. It’s easier to keep clean and more hygienic too. However soften the look with plenty of rugs that can be hovered and cleaned. (Fitted carpet is still a great home decor idea for bedrooms or drawing rooms though).

While we’re thinking about ‘health and hygiene’ consider a new resolution to ask the family and visitors to take shoes off in the hall, and provide a basket for slippers. Shoes walk muck, germs and toxins in off the street and all around your home, even if you can’t see it. (If anyone knows how to train my husband to do this- I’d be really grateful!)

Make an entrance

One resolution that I think would make a massive difference to your home is to sort out the entrance. Yes, The front door. How sad and neglected is yours looking? Wheelie Bins, weeds growing through the gravel, kids bikes strewn out front. A good looking front of house makes all the difference to how you feel about returning home. I’d start with a fresh lick of paint and a shiny knocker. For some colour inspiration check out Little Big Bells instagram as shes obsessed with taking shots of bright front doors that make you smile. If you have a glass door or windows, make sure your hallway lighting dazzles- my favourite choice is a chandelier- looks so glamorous when lit up at night and viewed through the windows from the street. Next sort out a better system for the thousands of refuse and recycling bins clattering around outside. Maybe box them in, house them in a shed, or hide them behind some planting. Finally do a little weeding, a quick scrub and voila, a home that you can be proud of once again.

Be clean and kind

The New Year is typically a time of de-toxes and diets. Everyone is on a green juice cleanse of a no booze January, giving up gluten or cheese. Well your home could really benefit from a fresh new start too. I’ve recently detoxed my kitchen. That is I’ve got rid of all the toxic cleaning products I was hoarding under the sink. No more Domestos, Cillat Bang, Mr Sheen laden with seriously nasty chemicals. I’ve replaced them with kinder alternatives. My favourite is the Method and You ranges, and as I’m such a style fascist I love the way they look on my worktop too. I use Attitude fabric softener and Ecozone laundry liquid. I’ve pledged not to have any nasties in my home, and that includes the bathroom too. As a family we use Jason soaps and I buy my beauty products from Neal’s Yard and Content. I’m passionate about having a beautiful AND healthy home.

Get creative

I’m always banging on about making your home feel like a special place that’s original and individual to you. There’s no better way to achieve this then to make something hand made so resolve this year to try something new. For Newbie DIYers out there it might be giving an unloved piece of junk furniture a lick of paint using the oh-so-easy to use Chalk paint products. It could be having a prized photograph blown up and framed and hung in pride of place. Check out my Pinterest board on creative craft ideas for inspiration. Or for you up-cycling enthusiasts consider going on a course to get inspired and learn something new that will add some soul to your home.

Image found on decor8blog.com

Create a Gallery wall

Creating a gallery wall is one of my favourite styling tricks. Its where you fill a wall with a collection of pictures that can grow and be rejigged over time. I love collecting art, photo’s, even wall hung objects and mixing them all together on one wall. Its such an easy way to give your room a focal point and it always looks so individual and interesting. This year why not start curating your own collection. I’ve used a mixture of framed family photos, fleamarket finds and original prints in my own home. Just think of a colour or theme to make them all link together.

Plan a party

Make your home a space to bring people together in 2016. I think that’s when a house really comes alive. I always find that if I’ve got a party or gathering booked in then that’s also a great motivation to get the home decor looking nice. You might think about re-jigging the layout to make it more sociable. For example have furniture arranged to aid conversation rather than staring at the TV. Another great idea is a decorating party. I did this when we decorated my son’s nursery. I invited his two grandmas over and we had a great time painting and making soft furnishings as well as lots of chatting over cups of tea.

What are you taking on in this year, I’d love to hear your inspiring ideas for transforming your home this year, so leave a comment below. I’ll be keeping you all up to date with my progress over on my Instagram. I always find it works if you chunk it right down and set yourself something easy and enjoyable that will make a difference. So finish off the last of the mince pies and get inspired!

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