The Finishing Touches that Transform Your House into a Home

The average American spends around 93% of their life indoors, states the EPA, and today, remote work is booming — meaning that many people are enjoying more ‘home time’ than ever before. If you look at décor magazines and dream your home could possess the sense of style that captures your heart, know that you don’t need to spend big bucks to make it happen. With a small budget and a bit of creativity, you can very quickly turn a living space into an oasis and transform your house into a home.

Embracing Biophilic Design

Biophilic design, a key concept influencing modern architecture and design, involves the approximation of human beings to their natural surroundings through different means — including the incorporation of plants indoors; the use of natural materials, colors and patterns; the incorporation of beautiful views into architecture; and the use of furniture and spaces that ‘embrace’ or protect dwellers. You can start off by bringing a few potted plants into your living spaces — ideal indoor species include  African violets, baby’s tears, and prayer plants. You can go a bit further — for instance, by using plant-inspired wallpaper or fabrics for furnishings. Finally, you can buy just a furniture piece that embraces you — think a hanging, egg-shaped rattan chair that is at once a place to relax and a private ‘refuge’ from stress.

Stylish Sofas

The sofa is one of the most important components of a living room. Whether you have a vintage Chesterfield, a chaise, or a mid-century two-seater, style it up so that it becomes a design element as well as a functional piece of furniture. Get creative with accessories, opting for colorful cushions in different sizes, textures, and fabrics. Glamorous sofa styling involves many details — including framing. To call attention to a beautiful sofa in a subtle way, throw an elegant blanket over it, frame it with potted plants, and grace it with a standing lamp with a unique design or vivid hue that will draw attention to this cosy spot.

Rethinking Floors and Walls

Because natural elements are such an important component of modern design, you may decide that you would like to replace your current flooring with natural materials or those that mimic them. Sheet and plank vinyl and tiling that imitate materials such as wood and stone are all the rage and they cost less than hardwood flooring. Walls can also be given new life with a new lick of paint, texture wallpaper, or paint effects. Many of these projects can easily be completed on a DIY basis, which significantly lowers costs while completely changing the look and feel of your interiors.

People are spending more time than ever before indoors, which highlights the importance of functional and visually appealing design. Major renovation projects undertaken by many households include kitchen and bathroom rejigs, but you don’t need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to lend your interiors a warmer or more creative touch. Focusing on biophilic design, dressing up large pieces of furniture like sofas, and changing up floors and walls are good ways to boost the appeal of your home without going over budget.