Home Decor That’s Kinda Chic
Spice up your space and love where you live!
By: Parmis Etezady
As a college senior, I’m dreading leaving my little Gainesville bubble and joining the “real world,” while simultaneously dreaming of my future big-girl job and home. I’ve already started collecting decor ideas, keeping in mind my future cat — and not my future budget.
Here are a couple of things I think establish a home not just as a place to sleep, but a chic, welcoming space that makes you never want to leave the house.
Rounded lamps/dim lighting
I’m personally a hater of bright fluorescent lights; they remind me of my hellish freshman year dorm room. No one’s living room should feel like the lobby in a doctor’s office. I’m all for dim, warm lighting, which adds ambiance and coziness.
What better touch than a curvy lamp? Architecture Wave notes that studies show curved figures lower visual fatigue and tension, signaling areas of the brain associated with pleasure and safety, while sharper figures “trigger mild alert responses in the amygdala, the brain’s threat detector.” Curvy lamps are both cool and biologically good for you, enough said. No hate to a vintage lampshade, though.
Patterns… everywhere
Patterns never go out of style — whether you like polka dots, stripes, gingham or animal prints, a little pattern here and there can jazz up a dull room instantly, keeping the brain stimulated every time you enter the home.
Think a touch of zebra print, a spotted carpet, striped bedding, etc.
DIY furniture
What’s more chic than reusing? Take a trip to Goodwill or your local thrift store and salvage items that fit your home. Easier than it sounds, but try to think outside the box.
I always see videos on social media titled “What I Thrifted Versus How I Styled It” and feel inspired to do better. Don’t be afraid to experiment with upcycling what you find as well. There are plenty of videos with great inspo that I will personally use when I settle into a home! Upcycled and DIY decor can actually become your favorite piece in the home.
Touches of whimsy
Living in a pre-furnished apartment, my furniture, cabinetry, fixtures and finishes were all decided for me, and were somewhat lackluster. Luckily, my roommates and I are full of whimsy and like to spruce up the place with little touches in our other possessions. We love our colorful felt ball coasters, tacky Halloween decorations and silly mugs.
A sprinkle of whimsy is a great way to make a temporary place — which many young adults have — feel like home. Here are some other cute ideas:
Personal details
A home tells a narrative of your present and past. It’s where you can showcase your greatest treasures and tell awesome stories when guests ask about them.
Whether it’s a collection of postcards, polaroids, magnets, bottle caps or pins, displaying pieces of you around the house is chic and personable. It reminds you that no matter where you are, you are grounded in your loved ones, your experiences and your memories.
One of the sweetest examples of a personal detail I’ve seen recently is from @camillelenore on Instagram, who has reminders of her three black cats all around the house:
So make that study abroad collage and frame it. Display your photo booth pics to see the sparkle in your friends’ eyes when they see it on your wall. Put your magnets and polaroids on the fridge to remind yourself of all the fun moments you’ve had and places you’ve explored — and get excited about what’s coming next.
Your home, whether in college or the “real world,” should be a representation of your personality, style and memories. No matter the budget, having a piece of you in your home is what truly makes a space chic.
Parmis is a third-year student at University of Florida and the Online Editorial Director at Rowdy Magazine. In her free time, she loves to discover new TV shows, visit local coffee shops and find the nearest thrift store! Keep up with her on Instagram @parmisetez.
Comments