Making Your Home Decor Personal

One of the most exciting – and most exasperating – experiences in home buying process is decorating the new place. On the one hand, it should be personal and give each of your guests a clear impression of who you are and what is important to you. On the other, social media is littered with images straight out of an interior designer’s dream. Many people want their own spaces to live up to that standard, but it can be (understandably) intimidating. How do you go from pinning band posters to your dorm wall to pinning photos of your entryway on your social walls?

Color Me Happy

White walls can be great in some spaces, but if that theme stretches throughout the entire house, it can make your space very plain. Introducing some color on the walls is a great way to not only personalize your space, but impact the mood of the room. Blue can be calming in a bedroom, but it is also a hunger suppressant – maybe not the best choice for the dining room where you plan to serve the Thanksgiving spread you slaved over. Think of the mood you want the room to convey, or perhaps consider playing off the color of a key element in the room. It can something as big as a statement couch, or as small as the embroidery on the decorative pillow on said couch. Whatever your inspiration, be mindful of your chosen shade’s intensity: if the color is very bright or bold, you might want to limit it to one accent wall instead of the entire room. Bright pink can be striking on one wall, but on four, it might look like a Barbie mansion.

Color doesn’t have to just relate to the walls. If you play it safer with the wall color, look for daring ways to introduce meaningful shades into the furniture and accent pieces. Going bold on the wall color? Stick to neutrals for the accents, like a soft grey couch or bright white flowers on the end tables.

Maybe the thought of a violet wall or a teal couch strikes fear into your heart. That’s ok! Personalizing your décor is about showing the world who you are – not who you think would get the most shares and likes. When it comes down to it, you are the one living in this space. It needs to be a place you want to be in every day. One way to ease into color and personality in your home is through art. Identify pieces that are meaningful to you, and start there. You may find starting with these pieces will eventually become the inspiration for some bolder choices. Keep in mind, art doesn’t have to be something stuffy, either. In some spaces, the artists could be your children. It’s amazing how a simple frame can take Junior’s doodles and turn them into heartwarming masterpieces.

Text(ure) Message

Once you have established the color scheme for each of your rooms, the best way to make the most of it is through texture. This is especially important if you play it a little safer on the color wheel. Even a single color scheme (all white, all blue, all grey) can have dimension with the right texture. The key? Textiles. Think of unique fabrics for the draperies and furniture and special materials for the décor. Some play well together, like linen drapes and woven baskets, or smooth leather couches and fluffy fleece throw blankets. Keep in mind, though, just because some fabrics work well with one another does not mean they will work well for your lifestyle. Got pets and kids? Light-colored and lightweight fabrics probably won’t last very long, at least in one piece. Looking to add some class to your space? Cotton will never say “luxe” like leather or silk.

Person, Place or Thing

So where do you start with all these meaningful accent pieces mentioned so far? Well, these are where your personality will really shine through. Let your life story, hobbies and interests inspire you and give direction to your pieces. Avid cyclist? Consider hanging an actual bicycle on the wall of the foyer (bonus points if it’s painted a striking color that sets off the room). Love family trips to the beach? Decorate the mantel with glass jars and cloches filled with sand, shells or other reminders of your seaside summers. Bookcase looking a little bare? Spruce up the shelves with some family heirlooms.

Think quality over quantity, though. Too many pieces can make a space look cluttered, and if the pieces lack a central theme, it could look like you left a bunch of stuff in the room while unpacking. The theme can be topical, like the beach pieces mentioned above, or simply a central color, like turquoise knickknacks against a dark grey wall.

The accent pieces can also lend themselves to the theme of the room. Beautiful, decorative plates can make a logical addition to a dining room wall. Hanging classic board games on the wall of the game room is a great way to “play” into the activity of the room while finding a new use for games that may be missing pieces. Avoid being literal in every room, though. If you want to display your prized stamp collection in the downstairs bathroom, make it happen! Bathrooms are actually a great place to start theming accents – the room is small, won’t require a lot of pieces and you can play up some campier themes without seeming over the top.

That Makes Sense

Sight might be the primary sense we consider when decorating a home, and maybe touch if you take into account the texture section above, but there are other senses you should not neglect: most importantly, smell. Scented candles are a great way to set the tone for your home. Sometimes, the scent can be based on the seasons. Warm pumpkin or spiced apples in the autumn months, and crisp pine or cinnamon around the holidays will instantly set the scene for your home. Other times, though, it may be important to invoke certain memories or emotions. Maybe lavender helps you relax, so it’s a great scent for transforming your bedroom into a place of serenity. Perhaps sandalwood reminds you of afternoons sketching at the beach, making it the perfect choice to get the creative juices flowing in your studio. Whatever smell is important to you, incorporating it into your home will not only give it personality, but will also have positive effects on your mood.

At GCD, we know the home buying process does not end when you unlock the front door for the first time. (Well, for one, there’s still unpacking that giant moving truck in the driveway, but it goes beyond that, too!) There’s so much more to experience in your role as home owner, and we’re excited to be a part of that journey. Whether you’re touring one of models for the first time, or we’re putting those keys in your hand, we’re here to help. Except for the unpacking part. We’ll leave that to the real expert – you!