13 Ways to Be Happier in Your Home This Year
Make 2013 the year you increase your happiness at home with
resolutions that will get you motivated to finish lagging projects,
learn new skills and add more pizzazz to your space. Sure, you can
resolve to clear clutter (see number four below for a fresh way to do
that), but that's not the only way to make a fresh start around the
house this year. Let these 13 design resolutions jump-start your
inspiration, then share your own ideas in the Comments section.
1. Follow your heart, not trends. It's fun to keep track of what is current in the design world, but when it comes to your own home, remember you are the trendsetter! Just because emerald green is one forecaster's color of the year doesn't mean you should shun your favorite muted pastels. Let this be the year you stay true to you.
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2. Mark your calendar for a big flea market or antiques fair. A great way to get inspired is to attend a well-run antiques fair or major flea market, such as Brimfield in Massachusetts, Round Top in Texas or the Alameda Point Antiques Faire in Northern California. Pencil in the date and invite a design-loving friend to go along.
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3. Broaden your design education. If
a home project has you feeling frustrated or simply uninspired,
learning from the pros is a great way to get unstuck. Sign up for a
design workshop, and read more decorating books, design blogs and ideabooks.
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4. Define the function of each room.
If clutter is something you would like to tackle in the new year, this
can be a useful way to approach the problem. Going room by room, think
about what you really use each part of your home for — watching movies
and reading in the den, for example. Make sure that everything you need
to do these things is at hand, and get rid of anything and everything
unrelated.
More guides to decluttering |
5. Make a mood board. Get
out your scissors, tape and stacks of dog-eared design mags, pour
yourself a cup of something yummy to drink and set aside an afternoon
for crafty fun. The online world is wonderful, but sometimes the
physical act of cutting and pasting pictures can spark ideas that just
don't occur while you're staring at a screen.
Create a place for inspiration to flourish
Create a place for inspiration to flourish
6. Give your front door a facelift.
When was the last time you gave your front door a second thought? It
contributes a lot to the first impression people have of your home. Is
it in good shape? Could it use new hardware? A new color?
Consider adding something new, such as fresh potted plants in hefty
urns to flank your entrance, a stately door knocker or modern house numbers.
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7. Refresh your bathroom.
The beauty of a bathroom makeover is that it takes so little to make a
big impact. Splurge on nice hand soap and lotion, and place them in a
little tray on your sink (you can always refill the bottles with your
usual stuff when they're empty). Snip a fresh bloom and float it in a
bowl or cup, give your sink and mirrors a good scrub, and pick out a
stack of new, fluffy white bath towels.
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8. Personalize a plain piece. Instead
of letting that plain white or wood piece play a supporting role, turn
it into something special with a creative touch. Customize a plain table
by having a piece of glass cut to fit the top and using it to display a
beautiful printed wallpaper, fabric or even gift wrap. Paint the legs
of a stool, cover the back of a bookcase in grass cloth or burlap, or
line your drawers with pretty paper.
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9. Have something made just for you (and your house).
Whether you live in your forever home or are renting your first
apartment, having something made especially for you really makes your
space your own. There are so many wonderfully creative options available
these days for personalized items:
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by Meg Padgett
by Meg Padgett
10. Learn a new skill. If
you haven't yet hopped on the DIY bandwagon, let this be the year you
give it a try. Choose an area that appeals to you and search for
tutorials online (read about reupholstering a chair seat here), pick up a book, or hunt for a local class or workshop to get started.
11. Set your table at every meal. This
is one of those small habits that can end up making a huge difference
in your daily life. The setup doesn't need to be fancy, but commit to
setting out real glasses, plates and silverware, and cloth napkins,
along with something extra, such as a vase of flowers, placemats or a
tablecloth — even if you are having takeout.
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12. Tweak the lighting.
Lighting can make an amazing difference in our experience of a room. For
each room in your home, count the light sources — aim for at least
three but preferably more. If you have overhead lighting, put the
fixtures on dimmer switches and supplement with table and floor lamps.
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