It’s true that, no matter who you are or how old you are, your instincts will always tell you to go home. There is no place quite like it. In fact, there is an Albanian proverb which says that the sun at home warms better than the sun elsewhere. But, like American radio personality, Jane Sherwood Ace once said: “Home wasn’t built in a day.” It takes time to make your house a home where your habits could have a habitat. I am a romantic at heart and with that comes the continuous urge to pretty up our home and make it more welcoming, more romantic. Here are some tips on how you can romanticize your home.
While Swedish author, Catherina Ingelman-Sundberg hits the nail on the head when she writes that it’s better to have a messy home and happy children than a perfect yard and unhappy children, I do find myself longing for a tidier and more organised home. With that comes a sense of peace, which allows me to see what to add or remove to create a more romantic atmosphere in our home. Research by UCLA Health has indicated that by elevating your home experience, you can improve your mental well-being and relaxation, which is everything to me in this crazy busy life.
So, some of the clever ways to romanticize your home (without having to break the bank) include the simplest of switches. Things you might never even have thought about…
Prioritise comfort
Apart from assisting in keeping your home clean, leaving your shoes at the door kind of serve as a silent gesture of comfort. Therefore, make it easy and put a trendy shoe rack at the corner of the entrance to remind yourself to take your shoes off. Plus, having your UGG slippers ready will give you that daily touch of luxury.
A Hobby haven
Depending on what you like to do in your downtime, make sure that you have a dedicated space in your home where you can escape the business of your day-to-day responsibilities. Think craft room or at-home gym. Even a space where you can do yoga and meditate, or perhaps a romantic, old-world library – ah, my dream! Reinvent your former Covid-19 Zoom room into a clever hobby haven where you can banish stress and re-energise your senses.
A rack for un – wine – ding
Once the kids are in bed, we enjoy switching off the lights and indulging in a glass of wine to unwind. A gorgeous wine rack can only elevate the experience further, adding that same touch of lux than those slippers I mentioned.
Switch to (solar) lamps
Since loadshedding doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, leave the overhead lighting and invest in solar lamps instead. These could aid in creating a cosier atmosphere in your home, and it’s less hassle to replace the bulbs. Or, just use candles. H&M Home in Sandton City has just launched their spring range and their candles and candle holders are pretty much must-haves if you’d like to romanticize your home this season. You can also find it on Superbalist.
Romanticize your home with scent
Whether it’s with scented candles form Block & Chisel or one of AURA’s beautiful, decorative diffusers, a special scent will undoubtedly assist in romanticizing your home. Wikus recently spoiled me with their Solitaire Electric Diffuser, which even comes with a light for that special touch. Their website is filled with numerous cleverly and beautifully designed diffusers, with prices starting around R450.
Let flowers romanticize your home
I often feel guilty when I buy myself flowers, but honestly, it makes me happy. And, it adds that touch of romance to an empty space in the room. So, find a flower vendor where you can buy your weekly flowers without feeling guilty. H&M Home’s spring collection at Sandton City includes the most beautiful flowers too. In Pretoria, you’re bound to find rather affordable flowers at the Boeremark on Saturday mornings. Be sure to go early, though, because the romantics among us will surely attempt to beat you to it!
Tip: Buy a bunch of the same flowers. It looks more elegant and will photograph better (for the content creators out there).
Make your own bed
Have you ever walked into your bedroom only to realise that it looks cluttered and untidy, mainly because you never made your bed? Also, it’s often not good enough when someone else made the bed for you. You have a specific way in which you place the scatter cushions and how you position the throw. So, make your own bed and make it as soon as possible after you’ve gotten up. The trick is not just in making the bed, though. It’s in styling your bed. Do it like housekeeping at your favourite luxury hotel would do it.
P.S. Have you seen Linen House’s KLEE duvet cover set?
Keep it natural
The more natural light, the more inviting. In fact, opening the curtains can improve your mood in an instant.
Romanticize your bathroom
One of the best ways to relax, is under a hot shower in the morning, or in a delightful bubble bath at night. Call it an at-home spa experience, if you like. Invest in good quality towels, some luxurious-looking bath salt, a rain showerhead and essential oils. Put some music on and light fragrant candles.
Also, remember that the bathroom is a brilliant place for indoor plants, so why not add a hanging plant or a little love fern somewhere too?
For the parents – I know. The kids’ toys are everywhere and all those bright blues, yellows and reds scream at you as you walk into what you wish could be a spa. Get the kids into a routine of putting the toys into a basket after bath time. Then, place it in a cupboard nearby, style your bathroom and breathe.
Quiet luxury is a thing, even when you romanticize your home
While quiet luxury has been trending in the fashion world, it’s something I can definitely see taking shape in the home too. Somehow, luxury and romance go hand-in-hand when it comes to interior spaces and the easiest way to accomplish quiet luxury in your home, would be to invest in natural textiles and neutral, sustainable fabrics. Think wool, cashmere and silk for things like rugs, loungewear, throws and even pillows.
In the end, you need to feel happy, relaxed and cherished in your home. With a few add-ons and a couple of tweaks here and there, you can romanticize your home rather easily.
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