I am a graphic designer. That is what I studied. I some how struggle to pull together a space. I am slowly creating in my mind's eye a place that appeals to the designer in me.
I am not rich. Less so now that I have bought a house. I currently don't have any extra cash to spare. So here are a few things I have learnt from hours of self education online.
There are wonderful websites to help you with DIY projects, ideas on everything from decluttering to learning how to use spaces really well and how to mix and match your world.
I needed a lot of these things to work for me because let's face it. I like stuff. I have a lot of stuff. I don't need it all but I have it. So I am now looking for clever ways to use what I have got.
Double function items are a win!
Like a bin that doubles as a bucket. A couch that becomes a sofa or a desk that pops off a wall for homework.
A landing strip is important.
I try to do the landing strip thing every day but even tomorrow it needs a big tidy up. Basically a landing strip is the arrive pattern or path you take when you come home. Shoes off at the mat, coat on rack or in the cupboard, keys, wallet, mobile phone and mail. The idea behind this is to keep the world out of your home by stopping it at the door. At the moment my landing strip is a shelf near the kitchen. My coats and jackets still need a home but I am working on that. My system isn't perfect but I am always thinking about it and refining it.
Before I moved out into out new home, we had so many water bottles. Metal ones, plastic you name it we had it. What for? Water bottles can be used for multiple purposes and day trips, trips to the beach, outings and you only really need one. I got rid of a bunch. If you have just one, you will look after it better, and you know it's yours, and it's less to clean but something you may clean more regularly. I have my favourite mug. I use it all the time. I don't use as many cups because I like the one I have. With baby bottles, we never seemed to have enough ready when we needed. With my expressing milk, and using formula and feeding the baby at the breast I was too busy for washing bottles and sterilizing them! We bought a gazillions but now only use about 5 which all get washed by the end of the day ready for the next day.
Try to do a bit of laundry each day to keep it manageable and also do the dishes when you use them.
Also a bit of creativity goes a long way. Something that is ugly and lifeless can have so much potential. I have been looking around with different eyes and craft markets are like treasure hunts.
I am also going to set aside a luxury money box. The idea behind this is to add $3 a week to the box until you have enough to splurge on yourself a little. My splurge is bubble bath! I buy the expensive stuff. After 10 weeks I can get a wonderful bottle of bubbles made from natural ingredients made locally! It's wonderful!
My aim is to get home each day and feel like I am in a well oiled hotel. With my style and my tastes. Bold patterns, bright colour, i feel like I have been hiding. My ugly plaid couch is due for a facelift. I am currently gathering fabrics for throw cushions and I am going to get a nice brightly colour end Picasso and Mondrian poster for the wall.
One other good tip is to make everything you can electronic. Fact is, your book shelves have a limited space for books but an e reader or computer or your mobile phone can contain books, important documents, lists, numbers and importantly, use your camera on your phone to store business cards, telephone numbers, important documents like medical documents (my daughter has a blue card for her medical condition that allows us access to acute children's care) good idea to keep it in my phone !
Hope this helps you with your mission to prettify your house!
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