It’s been a while since I’ve put together a home inspired blog post, so today I’ve decided to put once together about a few small changes to the home that you may find really useful.
For those who don’t know, I live in Newcastle-Under-Lyme as well as having my first home in Manchester, so I class both places as home! I’m moving to Congleton, Cheshire, in a few weeks time, and I’ve already started thinking of ways to update our new build which we’re moving into. It doesn’t have an extension area which could act as a family space next to our kitchen and diner, so I’ll be looking into doing this when we finally move.
As this is our first home which me and my partner are buying together, we’ve saved up for a long time and really don’t want to scrimp on anything. So I’m focusing on the upgrades I can do to the home to make it look that little bit more ‘extra’. Thinking of doing the same? Here’s some ideas…
1. Invest in professional looking blinds
I like my privacy, but I hate closing curtains, if that makes sense. Instead, I’m looking at investing in smart looking blinds to give the living room some depth, but also the privacy I need when it comes to shutting them.There are so many styles of blinds which can frame and style up your window, but the shutter style or intricate designed roman blinds tend to look the most extravagent.
A lot of people are inspired by Plantation Shutters, which give the ultimate light control and are super easy to maintain. Because they are so thick and chunky, cleaning is a breeze – you can just whip a cloth or duster over them, yet they look premium and chic.
Because these are of a high quality, you can expect to pay a lot for them, although there are some retailers out there in which you can find affordable window shutters at fab prices, yet they still look classy and quality.
If you live in a home that is cottage like, or a quaint country style house, you might want to look at wooden shutters which give that cosy English cottage feel.
2. Add an island to your kitchen
If you have the space in your kitchen, look at upgrading your space to have a beautiful island in the middle of the kitchen. Not only is a kitchen island handy for having a sink of cooking unit there, it also becomes the centre point and sociable spot in the kitchen/diner.
Islands in the kitchen straight away look quite ‘extra’ – you don’t see these in most kitchens! Plus you get extra storage from them, so not only do they look great, they also provide extra room for all your kitchen equipment too.
3. Can you upgrade to a balcony?
There’s something about juliet glass balconies or terraces in your home that scream luxury. They make having a bit of an outdoor space look more ‘polished’ and ‘finished’, and to be frank, you see these features more commonly across expensive homes.
If you have a nice view from your bedroom and have the capacity for doors that open outwards, I suppose you should be asking yourself- are you looking to add a balustrade to your home? Of course, whether it’s a juliet balcony, a terrace, a stair balustrade system or even glass handrails, you will need to consider the regulations concerning the installation of them. There are also various components and glass specifications which will require your consideration as to what suits the house, and of course, safety measures too.
If your home has the space, views and capacity to add a little bit of luxury to the outside of your home, it may be worth looking into juliet balconies or terraces for the instant wow factor.
4. Opt for a large corner sofa
Rooms that have large corner sofas in plush materials – like velvet or leather – straight away add a more ‘flash’ look to a room. They look super comfy and smart, but above all, they are very practical if your room lends itself to the shape of them.
More so these days, you’ll find U-shaped sofas becoming more popular. If you have a large living area, a rounded U shaped corner sofa really becomes the central focal point in the room. It stands out and sets the scene for the room, and can be dressed up or down with throws and cushions.
5. Add mirrors where possible
If you carefully place floor to ceiling mirrors, or even leaner mirrors, strategically around your home, you are instantly creating more ‘space’, even if it is just a trick of the eye. You can now get some beautiful mirrors which are rounded at the top or framed with lights which add a touch of luxe to the home. You can even consider adding antique mirrors to bring character and vintage charm into modern interiors.
If you put a large horizontal mirror above the back wall in your living room, above a sofa, it could bounce the light from the window and give the illusion of a room double the size – and brighter!
Overall, mirrors can look really expensive, and placing them carefully around the home to give more depth and space is a great move for improving the look of your home interior.
6. Get a stand alone bath
Last but not least, a stand alone bath is one of the most wow features you can have in the home! They are often seen across luxury hotels and country retreats, so if your bathroom has one, you really are setting your home up to look the part. These high shine white baths are the ultimate addition to any bathroom – if space allows – and creates a spa like feel to the room. You can opt for sleek gold or silver taps to give a real premium finish, too.
Of course, the above are to be considered if money and time allows, but remember that there are so many little tricks you can do instead that don’t involve splashing out. Re-decorating, deep cleaning carpets, investing in new wall art or moving the layouts of each room around can totally refresh your home and improve it’s appearance.
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