As winter comes to a close and the sunshine begins to show once again, people begin cleaning and emptying out their living spaces. While the feeling of a clean and fresh house is nice, a new feeling tends to arise; I call this the “Interior Decorator Urge.” If you are anything like me, you love decorating. Maybe it is for an event or even a simple remodel, you find yourself craving something new in your home.
Whether it is at Wal-Mart, Target, Home Goods, or Amazon, I love buying new decorations to rejuvenate my living space. This happens every spring without a second thought; it is truly like something takes over my mind and body.
Besides the amount of money drained from bank account, this act has a lot of benefits. The “Interior Decorator Urge” allows me to be productive, re-energize my living space, and keeps me busy during the summer when I do not have classes and homework.
Over the years, I have learned what to buy and what not to buy. Some things are not useful and just take up space while other decor items are practical and useful.
Lucky for you, I will share some of my favorite decor items with you to save you some time, money, and possibly a headache.
1. Lights
Quite a few different light sources exist. From floor lamps to fairy lights, there is no shortage of options. Personally, I love fairy lights. They are bright, pretty, and versatile. You can hang them on the wall, in your closet, over windows, around door frames, or even around the trim of furniture. I bought mine off Amazon, and they work phenomenally.
If you do not want the hassle of hanging lights up, I suggest a floor lamp. They can be pretty spendy, but they do not take up useful storage space such as a table lamp. Bed Bath & Beyond has a variety of multi-light floor lamps. I like multi-light lamps because you can adjust the lights to dim or brighten your living space.
2. Rugs
These are one of the most underrated decor items. They can help save energy costs by retaining heat during the cold months, especially if your floors are hardwood or tile. They also prevent wear-and-tear and permanent carpet stains from spills. Rugs can also help add color and create a new dimension. Whether it is a runner, bathroom mat, or area rug, they do not take up space. Wherever you put the rug, you can still walk on them or set furniture down.
If you are looking to add color, you can be more selective as well. My freshman year of college, I had a purple accent rug. Needless to say, I outgrew that phase, but I still love the idea of fun, colorful rugs.
If you are looking for a useful one, check out rugs with flat-woven, low-pile, or medium-pile textures. This will ensure easy clean-up. If you purchase a high-woven or shag rug, dirt and crumbs can cling to the long fibers, making clean-up more difficult.
3. Nature
The best part about this decor-style is its relative cheapness. Logs can be made into candle holders, flowers can be made into ceiling or wall decor, and rocks can make beautiful center-pieces if they are placed correctly. For more natural DIY decor, check out this YouTube video.
4. Books
They can be stacked on a table or lined on a bookshelf. Books are such an easy way to personalize a living space. If you want to use books as decor, it will allow guests to learn more about your hobbies, offer a topic of conversation, and provide any aesthetic you wish.
Obviously, many other decorating tips exist, but for a simple college girl, I live by these.
No matter what your living space looks like, always try to keep an open-mind when visiting others’ homes. We are all unique individuals with our own aesthetic, decorating style, and resources available.