Being house proud is an entirely positive trait. After all, nobody wants to live in a tip, do they? A sincere pride in your home not only ensures that everything looks great to a visitor’s sweeping glance, but it also ensures that your living space serves as a clean and healthy environment for you to return to after a long, hard day at work.
Nowadays, more people are opting for a minimalist approach to their interiors. This is great, as it means you have more open space to move about in, reducing feelings of claustrophobia and the appearance of clutter. However, there are certain pieces of furniture and accessories that add a personal touch to your living space, contributing greatly to a room’s functionality and overall aesthetic. These items are indispensable. However, you want them to fit in harmoniously with your property’s overarching clean and beautiful appearance. This is why quality is key when it comes to selecting accessories for your home. You want your investments to give an air of prestige and fine taste, while also lasting for as long a time as possible. So, whether you’re in the process of decorating a new home or are simply sprucing up your current living space, here are a few key pieces to focus your attention on. See them as investment pieces and pick wisely to avoid disappointment down the line.
Curtains and Blinds
Curtains and blinds’ main purpose is to block out light and prevent people outside from seeing in. Generally, they will be curtains or blinds that are pulled down at night when you may want a little more privacy and darkness inside your home. Now, when it comes to curtains and blinds you want to invest in the best quality products possible. Especially if you are light sensitive and find it difficult to sleep once daylight breaks. You will find that cheaper options often fail to block light out effectively. Remember that these home accessories also serve much more than a mere functional purpose. They can also have a massive effect on the overall appearance of any room. You can make your curtains or blinds as discreet as possible, so as to avoid drawing attention away from other signature items that you want to focus guests’ attention on. Alternatively, you can opt for something eye-catching, making the curtains a noticeable addition to the way that your room is designed. You want something durable and hard wearing so that the materials can be washed and kept clean for years to come. Nobody wants to replace items regularly, as this contributes to landfill waste and is also costly and inconvenient. So, taking all things into account, here are a couple of adequate options for you to consider.
Blackout Blinds
For those who prefer to sleep in the darkest conditions possible, blackout blinds may be the ideal option. These roller blinds are made of the optimum materials to prevent any daylight or artificial streetlight from making its way into your room. They are an especially brilliant option for those of us who work night shifts, ensuring a good sleep at even the most inconvenient of hours.
A Personal Touch
If you want curtains that are unique and exclusive to your home, why not make your own? Curtains are relatively simple to make and all you need is sufficient fabric, a sewing machine, matching thread and a little patience. There are plenty of tutorials out there. So, get searching and buy prestigious textiles fabrics here. You’ll be good to go in no time.
Lighting
When you move into a property, you will more likely than not have basic lighting. This will generally consist of a ceiling rose and basic pendant lamp. Now, these will do the trick if you simply want to light a property at night. However, they aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing installment. There’s a reason they come with the home as it is: they are cheap and simple. But not to worry. There are a couple of different ways to alter your home’s lighting, making things look a tad more sophisticated. High-quality lighting will last for an extended period of time and once installed correctly shouldn’t give you any problems. The options available to you will differ according to your budget. But here are a couple of our favourites.
Chandeliers
If there’s one home feature that just shouts sophistication and glamour, it’s the chandelier. It is essentially jewellery for a room, made of crystals that refract light beautifully. This traditional French form of lighting will add an air of opulence and grace to any interior. They aren’t the cheapest of investments, however, as long as they are treated properly and cleaned regularly, they will prove a rather permanent fixture in your home for the foreseeable future.
Spotlights
If you are going for a more modern look, you might like to consider spotlights. Once installed, these are highly unlikely to break, as they don’t have any hanging elements that can be easily knocked out of place or be broken by force: they are a rather solid choice. However, this sturdy quality doesn’t detract from their functionality. They can be used effectively as accent lighting, drawing attention to certain areas within your home.
Flooring
Flooring is rarely the piece de resistance in any home. However, low-quality options will begin to draw attention to themselves in a relatively short period of time (and we don’t mean in a positive way). When choosing a floor for your home, you need to know what is essential for the space you are decorating. This will help you to choose the best option available to you and will reduce chances of you having to replace flooring in the near future.
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms are spaces where you expect liquid spills. No matter how high quality a carpet is, it is highly unsuitable for these areas, as repeated exposure to damp will cause bacteria to grow within the fibers. Stick with tiles, as these are easy to wipe down and will not come loose with moisture.
Hallways and Stairs
Hallways and stairs are high traffic areas that will generally experience the most footfall in your home. This is why you need a sturdy, dense carpet for these spaces. Soft, fluffy carpets may appear more attractive, but they will show up dirt more easily and will wear down more quickly.
In short, wherever you are decorating, you need to take the functionality of your purchases into account alongside their appearance. High-quality goods will last longer and meet your expectations to a higher level of satisfaction.
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