HOME-LOVING

Annabelle Hunt, Colour Consultant, Bridport Timber

Few are lucky enough to fall in love at first sight. The reality for most is that there will be plenty of frogs before they find ‘The One’. Inevitably, there will be an element of compromise that must be either accepted or confronted, but usually there is some potential that can be nurtured. All relationships take time, and our relationship with the place we call home is no different.

Throughout life, our housing needs shift and change; a pied a terre in town close to work and friends, somewhere with extra bedrooms to accommodate a burgeoning family, school catchments, travel links, outside space, vibrant community, room for the grandchildren or perhaps downsizing. It may be something to do with the warm sunshine and nature’s reawakening, but spring seems to be the time of year when most people start to get itchy feet and think about moving home. However, the average cost of buying, selling and moving home in the UK is currently well in excess of £10,000, without even thinking about the cost of changes you might want to make once you’ve moved. It’s well worth thinking about what changes you could make to your own home so that you can fall in love with it all over again.

The key is to think about how you utilise your space and to work out what could be done to make life in your house better. Sometimes something as simple as rearranging furniture, changing the layout, or switching the function of rooms, can be enough to make a positive change. Perhaps that integral garage that’s just storing junk would make a great kitchen, or the tiny box room that’s too small for anything any bigger than a toddler bed could be transformed into an ensuite. Try to look past what is and instead think how it could be.

Even something as simple as tidying your space can have an enormous impact on how you feel about your home. The appeal of a holiday rental can largely be due to the fact that there’s none of the everyday detritus that we all accumulate over time. If you have space outdoors, even the smallest of sheds can be hugely beneficial. Tools, bikes, and boots that might otherwise be taking up indoor space can all be stored away out of sight. As boring as it sounds, once you’ve had a clear out, good storage is the answer to a clutter-free life and by only keeping the things we love, we can start to get a sense of our individual style. Much of what you love, memories and sense of security is wrapped up in favourite things, a familiar armchair or favourite pictures. By following what you like, you will create your own style which will make your home feel like you. All you need is the confidence to trust your taste and do it your way.

When it comes to redecoration, whether you choose to use colour in small accents or across every single wall and the ceiling too, it has the power to influence our emotions and sense of wellbeing.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by colour choices, think about how you want your home to feel, rather than what will it look like. Allow yourself to be led by colours you might find in a favourite painting, a piece of curtain fabric or a vintage teacup. A scheme built around something you love gives you a much higher chance of ending up with a space you love.

Our homes should be our most happy place; full of life and never static or too ‘finished’. They should be allowed to evolve and gently shift throughout the seasons, enfolding and enveloping us through the colder, darker months before opening up once again to welcome spring and summer.

bridporttimber.co.uk