Blog written by Lieske

.01 Harsh Lighting

There is nothing worse than coming home and turning on stark white overhead lights; they can really ruin your ability to unwind. We recommend experimenting with warm lighting in the afternoons and using red lighting in the late evenings. Layer your lighting rather than only using an overhead. Try bringing in new lights like candles, backlights, floor lamps, table lamps, and hanging ceiling fixtures. Additionally try placing mirrors around to help reflect light into darker areas of a room.

.02 Not Utilizing Swatches

 There is a reason why interior designers utilize swatches. It is important to have samples of your paint, tile, fabric, and so forth so you can take them with you when you are trying to match them. Even when shopping online, I always request swatches and wait for matching them with what is already in a room- before ordering. You would be surprised by how many shades seem interchangeable but can fully change the ambience of a space. 

.03 An Unbalanced Vertical Space

To avoid an unbalanced room, we recommend enhancing your space vertically by incorporating hanging lights, tall plants, and floor-to-ceiling curtains.

.04  Small Decor 

.05 Leaving Out Unused Items

I’ve touched on this before in reference to kitchen appliances- but this rule could apply to almost any room: if it isn’t being used daily and it isn’t a meaningfully placed decor piece- we would recommend storing it. 

.06 Dainty Furnishings

A room needs balance, and one of the main culprits that can make a home feel like a dorm is meager furnishings. Look for pieces that feel permanent and purposeful. Keep in mind that quality and larger furnishings don’t always go hand in hand (I’m looking at you, L-shaped recliner couches).

Small decor items aren’t completely off-limits; this is just in reference to pieces that are smaller than they should be. For example, floor mirrors that are shorter than you, certain table lamps, mini candles (other than tea lights), small pillows, miniature catch-all dishes, and small rugs can all contribute to an unbalanced look. While each of these items may seem harmless on their own, together they can make a room feel unthoughtful.

.07 Filler Decor

Personally I avoid the home sections of stores like TJ Max, Michaels, Hobby lobby and so forth- filling a home with things that mean nothing more than that they match a color scheme doesn't feel right. Let your home breathe- if there is too much space on a shelf (first of all maybe you don't need the shelf) and second OKAY- let it be somewhat empty- collect items from your travels that you can tell stories about, find a piece of vintage decor or stand up one of your favorite artist’s prints. A home evolves over time ,so give it the space to do so- if you fill everything right away- later when you find things you love your space will become overfilled and hard to take care of.

.08 Faux Plants

If you can't keep a plant alive - try some dried foliage or some natural toned or themed artwork. Adding fake plants makes a space feel artificial. Also- an added tip, not all greenery is good. Just like I mentioned in tip number 4, too much small decor becomes a bad thing and this applies to plants as well. Find a variety of different sized foliage to bring to your space.  I am in love with bringing a larger tree, palm or fiddle leaf fig into a space to add some vertical dimension.