If you’ve been following my declutter journey you would be forgiven thinking that my house is now empty. After all, I have been offering tips and suggestions on how you can achieve a minimalist idyll for a few years now!
There was that piece I wrote on WHY you should declutter. Or maybe that post I did on the first few things you could declutter to get you started.
I suggested you invest in lots of plants -to be fair I have done this one!
There were the articles where I exhorted the wonders of minimalism, in fact, I’ll just link the page where I put all of the pieces I wrote, go enjoy at your leisure.
The point being, that it is easy to procrastinate and read all about how to declutter your home rather than actually do it.
It is far more fun to create a vision board online of what I would like my living room to look like than to actually start work on it.
5 tips to create the home of your dreams
So now that I am currently working from home, it is time to start taking this seriously. It is time to start getting my house sorted.
Perhaps you are looking to improve your living space and, like me, just don’t know where to start. Why not check out my 5 tips to help you create the home of your dreams.
1. Break Down the Jobs into Lists
Doing up your home is an expensive endeavor, no two ways about it. Even when you try to do it on a budget, there are areas where you cannot scrimp. For example, I want to have my gas fire removed—and that is not a job for anyone but a trained plumber or gas engineer.
Meanwhile, I think I can handle a bit of wallpaper stripping and painting. Decorating an entire room is a big job, and as with all big jobs, it pays to break it down. And if you’ve been here before, you know I am crazy about lists, so let’s break it down into a list.
Start by grabbing a pen and some paper and get jotting. What are your goals for the room you are looking to decorate? Exactly what needs to be in this room? What do you already own that you’ll be keeping or can be repurposed in a different room? I have made a list of everything I will need to do to get the living room how I want it. This includes the ‘work’ like stripping the walls and paintwork, taking up the floor, getting the fire taken out, and having the walls and ceiling plastered.
Having scoured the internet, I have come up with a list of items I want in the room, priced them up, and set myself a budget. I then put the list in order of which jobs I can do first, which will be cheapest, and which jobs will have to wait a bit.
Sometimes it can be disheartening knowing exactly how you want a room to look, but not being in a place to do it yet. But when you have a list, you can remind yourself that there are either small jobs you can do now or that there are items you can save towards. You’ll feel like you are working on your dream room, even if your current finances or time restraints prevent it.
2. It’s Not a Race: Room by Room
One of the most important things to remember when transforming your home is that it’s not a race. We live in an age of instant gratification, where we want everything done yesterday. However, creating a home that genuinely makes you happy is a journey, not a sprint.
Focus on one room at a time, completing the bits you can for now, then move on to the next. This approach allows you to fully invest your time, energy, and resources into each space, creating a cohesive and satisfying result.
When you take it room by room, you also give yourself the chance to make mistakes and learn from them. Maybe that bold colour you chose for the living room doesn’t quite work, or the furniture arrangement feels off. By focusing on one space, you can tweak and adjust as needed without feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of tackling the entire house at once.
Remember, your home is a reflection of you, and it’s okay to let it evolve over time.
3. What You Can, When You Can
Life is unpredictable, and sometimes our plans to improve our homes are disrupted by unexpected events or financial constraints. In these moments, it’s important to adopt a mindset of flexibility and adaptability.
Work on what you can, when you can. This doesn’t mean putting off your dreams indefinitely, but rather being realistic about what you can achieve given your current circumstances.
Focusing on the smaller, manageable tasks that can make a big difference. This could be as simple as rearranging furniture, adding a fresh coat of paint, or incorporating new decor items that reflect your style.
These small changes can have a significant impact on the overall feel of your space and keep you motivated to continue working towards your long-term goals.
4. Being Realistic
Achieving happiness with your home starts with being realistic about your expectations and limitations. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the allure of picture-perfect homes we see on social media and design shows.
However, these spaces are often curated and staged to look flawless, which is rarely the case in real life. Accepting that your home doesn’t have to be perfect to be perfect for you is a crucial step in creating a space that brings you joy.
If money was no object, I would be moving my staircase, have walls knocked down, maybe an extension and a loft conversion. But we need to remain in the realms of reality.
Consider your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences when making decisions about your home. Do you need a dedicated workspace, a play area for children, or a cosy reading nook? Tailor your space to suit your unique needs, rather than adhering to trends or societal pressures.
Ultimately, a home that reflects who you are and supports your daily life will bring you far more happiness than one that simply looks good on the surface.
5. What is Happiness?
Finally, take a moment to reflect on what happiness truly means to you when it comes to your home. Is it a place where you can relax and unwind after a long day? A space that fosters creativity and inspiration? Or perhaps a gathering spot for friends and family to create lasting memories? Identifying what aspects of home life bring you the most joy will guide your efforts and ensure that you’re working towards a space that aligns with your values and desires.
Happiness in the home isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about creating a sanctuary that nurtures and supports you. By breaking down tasks into manageable lists, taking it room by room, working on what you can when you can, being realistic, and understanding what happiness means to you, you’re well on your way to creating the home of your dreams. Embrace the journey, and enjoy the process of turning your vision into reality.
Over to you
Have you a big task planned? It may not be home decorating, but it might be something big and overwhelming. You’ll find this all over the site, but do not underestimate the power of lists; breaking big tasks down into more manageable ones really does make life easier.
Can you apply this to your next big task? What plan can you make a start on if you think of it in smaller increments?