An Empty Shell

Have you ever walked in to some one's home and wondered if maybe they had just moved in?  Only to find out they've been living there a long….long time!  The rooms are so empty that you hear an echo and probably even wonder if it's their home, lol.

That's what I consider an empty shell.  A home should never feel like an empty shell.  It should feel warm, inviting, and lived in.

I've come across many people who have told me they have no clue what to do when it comes to decorating and therefore their homes are "empty shells".  Or worst, they have a miss-mash of hand-me-downs and mismatched, uncoordinated items.  Let me tell you I understand this phase very well because I've been through it.  When I first got married I bought furniture that I loved, but that's where it ended.  I had no artwork, rugs, curtains, or any decor that said anyone cared about the place.

However, I also don't feel that you should buy everything at once and just throw it around in any room without giving it any thought.

Everything in your home should look like treasure you've collected over time.  They should tell a story.  

With time we'll discuss more about how to purchase your treasures and get out of that empty shell phase.  But for now, you have a mission.  The next time you're considering buying something for your home, think about where it's going to go, what is it going to complement, what's its purpose, and more importantly, is it worth the investment?  Everything you buy for your home should be considered an investment, therefore you aren't buying something you'll hate in a month and just spend a ton of money on.

Quickly here are some tips to keep you're home from looking like an empty shell.

     - Cover your windows:  Use curtains or roman shades.  These can be expensive, so consider them an investment.  Buy them only if you're truly in-love with them.

  

     - Proper seating:  Have enough furniture for your family members (and guests) to sit on.  Mismatched chairs in the living room is not proper seating.  Lawn chairs int he dining room, also is not proper seating.  The furniture in the room should speak to its designated use.

     - Add some character to your floors with rugs:  A welcome mat outside, a rug to clean the dirt of your shoes at all entrances, and a decorative rug that anchors the furniture in the room can do a lot to bring a room to life.  

     - Proper lighting:  Nothing is more unappealing than a dark room.  It's uninviting, creepy and cold.  Older homes may not have lighting that comes from the ceiling, but you can always add some lamps to cozy up the space.

    - Put something on your walls:  Artwork, family photos, wall decor..all or any of these things will help complete a room nicely.  Empty walls are cold and "empty".  Remember you can always change it out.  Just make sure that what you put on your walls coordinates well with the rest of the furnishings in the room.

Most importantly, don't forget to have fun!!