Home Decor

Hi friends, and welcome to Friday Favourites. Today I thought we could chat about one of my favourite things to do during my summer break. That is, tackling little DIY home projects. Think redecorating, painting, reorganising and a bit of declutter. I know, I know. Some of my friends and my husband think I am a bit mad. After working full-time during the year, you would think I would want to completely switch off and take a proper break. But I really enjoy these kinds of projects, and they don’t feel like ‘work’. Of course, I love a good do-nothing day or three. But those days come after I finish my projects. Why I Love Easy DIY Home Projects for a Fresh, Minimal Look I love making spaces feel good to be in and want rooms to feel calm, welcoming, and lived in. The kind of places you actually want to spend time in. I get such a kick out of seeing how even the smallest change can make a big difference. A fresh coat of paint, moving furniture around, clearing a cluttered corner, or even adding a hook, it all adds up and it just makes me happy. I guess you could even call them DIY home projects, as self-care. Ha, why not ay? Podcasts, Audiobooks, and Background Noise While I’m DIYing,  I like to have something playing in the background, like a podcast or audiobook. This time around, I couldn’t find one that hooked me in, so I was skipping around a lot. Lately, I’ve also been listening to political commentators, which probably sounds like an odd choice for someone who gets major anxiety about world events. Strangely, though, I am okay with it these days. I don’t get as worked up as I used to, even though there is plenty going on in the world to get stressed about. When all of this got too heavy, I switched over to Doc Martin. I have watched it so many times that I can visualise the scenes, so I just listened to all the hilarious things that went on while enjoying that soothing show. Small Projects, Big Joy I love how these little DIY home projects make such a difference. I can’t fix the world, but I can paint a wall, sort a space, or tidy up a corner. Doing these small things makes me feel calm and in control, and that’s exactly the kind of break I needed. Where It All Began Okay, so let’s go back to where it all began. Ikea, of course! It’s always my source of inspiration because all the displays look so welcoming and cozy. I’ve heard that if you have more than a couple of Ikea pieces in your living room, it makes it look cheap. Oops, I have way more than a couple, so that’s too bad, haha. I went to Ikea with a friend for the free gingerbread house-making event, and we had a wander around while we were there. The curtains in my living room were starting to look tired, and some even had tears where the cats had tried to claw their way onto the windowsill. Silly girls. So, I ended up buying some new curtains. The thing I love about Ikea is that almost everything is pretty affordable. One Thing Always Leads to Another When I got home, I decided that if I was going to hang new curtains, I’d better take down the Christmas tree, wash the sofa covers, the mat under the coffee table, and give the whole area a deep clean. A few days later, everything looked tidy, except for the awful pile of papers on my husband’s small desk in the living room. He needed a new desk, or maybe I did, because I was sick of looking at the stacks of papers on his ugly brown desk. The Desk Solution So I made another trip to Ikea, which, lucky for me, is only a 10 to 15-minute drive from my house. I picked up a white Micke desk and a Råskog trolley, which would solve the problem of those piles of papers. Before I went,  I measured everything carefully to make sure it would fit in the small area where the original desk had been. Here’s the original clunky desk, which I managed to sell in a day on Facebook Marketplace for $20. What a win! Ikea now has step-by-step instructions on YouTube. Still no words, but it made putting everything together so much easier. One Small Problem The new desk looked great, but I noticed that the wall where it stood had some marks from me hanging pictures a zillion years ago, and a tiny patch of paint had chipped away. Ugh. The Room I Kept Avoiding Truth be told, the living room was the only room I hadn’t gotten around to painting white like the rest of the house. I started about two and a half years ago with the goal of painting all the rooms white. They had previously been a sandy colour called Grand Piano in half strength. But I stopped and never got to the living room. Honestly, I had no desire to paint it, even though I kept saying I would. That patch on the wall didn’t look pretty, so I thought, bingo, I’ll go to Bunnings and get a sample pot of the Grand Piano colour, and nobody will ever know. Wrong. See, the thing with paint is that even though I got the exact colour, when I painted the patch, it was way lighter than what was already there. I don’t know if it was age, the light, or the paint batch, but something wasn’t right. Going All In So instead of painting just a little bit, I thought, that’s okay, I’ll go all the way up further and it will all blend in. Easy peasy. I went to bed thinking positive thoughts that when I woke up, everything would look blended. Wrong

We all crave a home that feels like a cozy retreat where we can unwind and relax. The way you decorate and furnish your space plays a huge role in creating that emotional connection. That’s why it’s so important to infuse your personality into your home decor. After all, you’re the one who’ll be living in and loving it every day! Achieving a fresh, clean look for your home doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are some simple ways to freshen your home, to give your space a noticeable update. Simple Ways to Freshen Your Home Declutter Your Spaces Decluttering is the perfect way to kick off your decorating and furnishing journey with a clean slate. A cluttered home can be frustrating and counterproductive, making it hard to see the potential beauty beneath the mess. Tackle decluttering one room at a time instead of trying to do the whole home in one go. This approach makes the task less overwhelming and lets you focus on each space thoroughly. Spend as much time as needed in each room, ensuring every nook and cranny gets the attention it deserves. With a good declutter, you create a blank canvas to visualise how you want the space to look. Get the whole household involved to make the process easier and more fun. Together, you can transform your home into a more organised and inviting haven. Spruce Up with Soft Furnishings Your soft furnishings play a big role in shaping the look and feel of your home. From the blue cushions on your sofa to the curtains dressing your windows, each choice contributes to that fresh and clean appearance you’re aiming for. For a clean and fresh look, consider using materials like linen and opting for light colours such as creams and whites. These choices can instantly brighten up your space and make it feel more inviting. Remember, while the choices you make with soft furnishings are important, they’re also easy to change. Unlike painting floors or installing new carpets or tiles, switching out cushions or curtains is a quick and budget-friendly way to refresh your space. So, go ahead and have fun with your soft furnishings, knowing you can always mix things up whenever you want a new look! Conquer Kitchen Chaos: Do the Dishes and Put Them Away Keeping your home clean can feel like a never-ending task, but staying on top of the housework, even the monotonous chores, is key to maintaining a tidy space. While some people find housework therapeutic, tackling household messes after a long day can be mentally exhausting for anyone. One simple yet effective tip to freshen your home is to do the dishes and put them away immediately. Instead of letting them pile up in the sink or on the drying rack, dry them off and place them back in their designated spots right away. This small habit saves you from a bigger job later and instantly makes your kitchen feel cleaner and more organised. Imagine the satisfaction of seeing a sparkling clean kitchen with clear countertops and no lingering mess. Whether you’re enjoying a morning cup of coffee or preparing dinner in the evening, a clutter-free kitchen sets a positive tone for the entire home. It also gives you a mental boost, knowing you’ve efficiently tackled one of the day’s necessary chores. Embrace the simple joy of a clean kitchen—it’s not just about tidiness but about freshening your home’s atmosphere and creating a more inviting space for yourself and your family. Brighten Your Space: Let in the Natural Light Natural light is crucial, especially for rooms that don’t have a lot of light and tend to feel dark or closed off. Sunlight has the power to make any space feel more open, airy, and inviting. Start by evaluating what might be blocking the natural light from entering your rooms. Sometimes, simply rearranging furniture or removing bulky objects from window areas can make a huge difference. Trim any overgrown plants or bushes outside that might be casting shadows. Clean your windows inside and out to maximize the light coming through. Consider swapping heavy curtains for lighter, sheer ones that allow sunlight to filter in while still providing privacy. If you have blinds, open them up during the day to let the sunshine flood in. For rooms with limited windows, strategically place mirrors to reflect light and create the illusion of a brighter, more spacious area. Remember, natural light not only enhances the aesthetics of your home but also boosts your mood and well-being. So, embrace the sunshine and transform your living spaces into bright, welcoming retreats. Letting in the natural light will freshen your home and breathe new life into it, making it a more joyful place to be! Freshen Up with Regular Vacuuming and Mopping Maintaining cleanliness means staying on top of vacuuming and mopping floors as needed. Especially in a household with kids, daily vacuuming is often a must, not just a weekly chore. The accumulation of dust and debris can quickly make a home feel less tidy, so it’s important to tackle it frequently. Stay proactive with vacuuming and, when mopping is necessary, have a mop and bucket of soapy suds ready after dinner to swiftly clean up any spills or foot traffic marks. Regular upkeep not only maintains your floors’ pristine appearance but also ensures your home exudes a consistently fresh and inviting atmosphere. By making these tasks part of your routine, you’ll effortlessly maintain a clean environment that everyone can enjoy. So, grab that vacuum and mop, and keep your floors looking their best! Discover Your Home’s Signature Scent For those who adore the finer details of home decor, why not embark on a quest to find your home’s new signature scent? Whether you prefer the subtle aromas of wax melts, the convenience of plug-in air fresheners, or the cozy ambience of scented candles, there are countless ways to infuse your space with a delightful fragrance. Choosing a new