Here we are, almost at the end of January and I am wondering how the hell that happened? The decorations have long been cleared away and everything is looking quite neat but perhaps a bit dull?
I’m currently thinking about home decor projects that we can’t afford right now, especially after all the building work we had done last year but the odd new season update will do the trick. So if like me, you want a bit of newness without breaking the bank, here are a few suggestions:
Start with the basics
Declutter and deep clean – apologies for stating the obvious but we might as well start with the basics. Once you have un-decked the halls you’ll have to find space for all your new gifts, especially if you have children. This gives you the perfect excuse to sort through your cupboards and pass on anything you no longer need. Is there anything more satisfying than life laundry?
Create new spaces using things you already own – this is something my mum did all the time when I was growing up. I would come home from school to find that she had moved the furniture around in the living room. It’s a great way to shake things up, re-home individual pieces of furniture or decorative accessories in other rooms, creating a whole new look. It may take a bit of time to get it just right but the creative process is really enjoyable and it can really help you to rediscover and fall in love with the things you already own.
Bring nature in
Flowers, plants and foliage – I’m a sucker for flowers and plants, those of you who follow my Instagram account will know this already. The first thing I did on New Year’s Day was pick up a bunch of spring flowers, I loved the feeling of injecting some newness into the house. It was only a small thing but it makes all the difference.
Aside from your local florist or garden centre, Ikea is great for plants and supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi are actually very good at stocking slightly unusual seasonal British flowers.
Beyond that, treat yourself to a new vase or plant pot to display your greenery. I’m still really into hanging planters, I know people are reluctant to hang from the ceiling but it’s a really simple job and if you change your mind, all it takes is a bit of filler to restore everything back to normal. However, right now I’m all about animal vases, I’ve just started stocking them in my shop and they make me ridiculously happy
Uplifting details
Introduce a new scent – If you enjoy scented candles, reed diffusers or any other home fragrance device, make sure that you change the scent with the passing of each season. Ideally your home fragrance should capture the mood of the moment.
During the Christmas period I burnt candles that smelled of cinnamon, clove and orange. I wanted to be enveloped in the heady scent of Christmas but the new year calls for something energising, crisp and fresh.
There are many candle manufacturers to choose from but I always come back to Join. Made by hand in London, using only the finest natural ingredients. Absolutely everything right down to the labels is eco friendly. Bay and Rosemary and Hedgerow are two of my favourites.
Update soft furnishings – take advantage of the sales and treat yourself to some new sofa cushions – Ikea and H&M Home are brilliant value for money – or better still, upgrade your bedlinen! Although there is faint whiff of spring in the air, the evenings are still long and cold and there’s plenty of hibernating to be done so you might as well do it in style. My top 3 brands are Elizabeth Scarlett, The Fine Cotton Company and The White Company.
Antonia x
SHOP THE POST
- Elizabeth Scarlett – Amara Living
- Zebra vase – Tinker Tailor
- Enamel table – La Redoute
- Hedgerow candle – Join Store London
- Gold mirror – Tinker Tailor
- Plant pot – La Redoute
- Monochrome cushion – H&M Home
- Monkey tea light holder –Tinker Tailor