6 Finishing Touches To Take Your Home From Blah To Breathtaking
You dished out the cash. Maybe you suffered through the construction. You gave your own sweat and tears to get the home you dreamed of.
But… it still seems…blah.
There’s something just not quite right yet. It doesn’t feel finished. Like a lived-in home.
It’s really a really common problem, so don’t feel bad. Sometimes after you’ve done the work of updating the major things in your home you don’t have either the energy or the creativity left to add those final little touches that bring it all together.
But those little details are what take a nice house to being a beautiful home. So now’s the time to layer in the things that will complete your home renovation and make it feel amazing and personalized.
Here are 6 simple designer tricks to do it.
1. Repeat a few elements throughout your home.
Repetition catches the eye and subtly makes you feel comfortable and calm. When you repeat colours or patterns or shapes if feels like the whole was put together intentionally and it just feels…right. You could repeat:
an accent colour through pillows, curtains, artwork, dishes, rugs, a backsplash or shower tile throughout various living spaces
shapes - for example round mirrors, round plant pots, round placemats or circles in artwork
finishes like the same tile flooring in all the bathrooms, repeating the backsplash in your kitchen and the same tile in your shower base, or using the same brushed gold taps and hardware throughout the home
2. Add a bit of black to ground your spaces.
The all-white and light rooms we like today are fantastic, but most need a touch of black to keep the space from washing out. Introduce black through:
a fireplace and tv set
curtain rods
photo frames
accessories like plant pots or pillows
small furniture like dining chairs or island stools
3. Layer in texture.
A home needs layers of different textures to make it feel softer, warm and inviting - even if you’re going for a more minimalist look. Get layers of texture through:
pillows in different patterns and materials placed on sofas, chairs and beds
area rugs
curtains or blinds (or both)
throws casually laid over arms of chairs, sofas and beds
beautiful hand towels displayed in bathrooms and kitchen
varying dishes and utility items - some glossy, some wooden, some metal - layered on open shelving
4. Pay attention to the details.
The tiniest details make the biggest difference in making a home feel really put together. Details could be:
a beautiful patterned backsplash
beautifully-designed cabinet hardware
a dynamite sink faucet
modern spectacular lighting
a touch of bling like a glass door handle or tray to gather items on a counter
5. Layer in meaningful elements.
Layer in accessories that make your house feel like your own unique home. Don’t clutter your refreshed space too much, but add just a few meaningful things (see this post on how to add layers without adding clutter). Try adding:
collections grouped together on a shelf or flat surface
framed photos of family, friends and favourite memories
meaningful mementos from trips or a special piece that was handed down to you
books you love
6. Add a touch of nature.
I believe that every space needs a few natural items to make it feel right. You could add:
green houseplants to make a space come alive
wood in the form of shelving, furniture, trays, cutting boards or photo frames
natural woven baskets to hold everything from blankets to magazines to toilet paper
rocks, shells, even jars of sand as decorative elements (grouped together so they aren’t cluttery)
