Adding Life to a Room: How to Escape the IKEA Plague (and Embrace Unique Style)
Let’s be real… We all love going to IKEA.
The fun little made up rooms, the meatballs, the endless maze of aisles, the super cheap glassware, and of course, the meatballs (did I mention them already? I don’t even care, they’re mega.)
I love a bit of IKEA.
But, buy all your furniture from there and you’re risking becoming some copy and paste home with your next door neighbours. Imagine inviting Barbara round to check out your new sideboard (why you’d be inviting Babs round I’m not sure), only to find out she’s got the exact same one. B O R I N G.
L: IKEA R: Nook Revivals
Never fear, avoiding the IKEA plague is simple and pain-free (and I hear you can buy those meatballs online now). Check out this handy little guide on how you can inject your home with some unique personality.
1. Embrace the Thrill of the Hunt:
Mother-ducking Charity Shops: The love I feel for charity shops cannot be put into a singular blog post. This will have to be a big thing in the future. However, for now I’ll just say that you can find some great finds in there for very little money.
Support The Locals: No matter where you live (unless it’s like, in a tent in the woods… and if it is I don’t think home decor should be high on your priorities), there will be some local talent knocking around where you can find handcrafted and unique treasures to fill your home with. Plus, supporting the local community is cool.
2. Refurbished Magic:
Furniture Makeovers: A new piece of furniture doesn’t have to break the bank to be of good quality! Getting your furniture refurbished or restyled with either paint or pattern is a great way to give new life to something that’s already stood the test of time (not that I’m biased or anything).
Upcycling Treasures: Old crate or your new shelf? Empty wine bottle or vase? There are so many ways to transform ‘junk’ into something purposeful and more importantly… pretty.
3. Plants Baby:
Greenery: Plants, plants, plants. They add colour and life into a boring space… Even IKEA chuck fake ones everywhere to try and bring some life in their cookie cutter spaces! Disclaimer: if you’re like me and kill anything that you put in a pot… the fake ones work just as well visually.
4. Personal Touches:
Grandma’s Stuff: Family heirlooms that invoke memories of times gone by are a great way to make your home a lovely, warm space that means a lot to you. Does it really matter if your Aunt Gabby’s porcelain frog doesn’t match your aesthetic? No, because it’s made you smile since you were five. Stick it on a shelf.
Travel Souvenirs: Sounds like a big fat excuse to go on holiday and go shopping if I’m honest.
Artwork: Either buy some prints, stick em’ in a frame, splash out on the real thing… Or even DIY your own if you’ve got an arty flair! Either way, art really is one of the best things to create a sense of elegance and show off your personal style (I have a frame of a cat reading a newspaper sat on the toilet in my living room… Just to give you an insight into my brain).
5. Textures Make A Difference:
Cushion: When in doubt, chuck loads of cushions with loads of different textures and colours into a room and see what happens. This is a guaranteed way to ensure you don’t have the same couch as Barbara next door.
Rugs: Don’t sleep on the impact of a rug (and also don’t sleep on a rug, you have a bed), a statement rug can really bring a room together and show your personal style.
Even one of these tips can help you break away from the IKEA mould and create a home that actually reflects your personality and style… So, as enticing as those meatballs are… Maybe just go to buy some cheap wine glasses and leave the sideboard where it is?
Peace and Love,
Charlie
xoxo