5 Resolutions that will get more out of your space
Happy New Year!
If 2023 were bread; the aroma of ‘freshly-baked-just-out-of-the-oven-loaf’ would be unmistakable. If it were money; it would come as crisp clean notes, heavy with the smell of ink. Life is a beautiful gift, I’m so happy and grateful to God to be alive and well. I have this image of a brand new, black leather bound book being handed to me with ‘My 2023 Story’ boldly and clearly printed on the cover in gold. Inside, the clean white pages beckon me, begging to be written on. Every beginning of year is greeted with celebration, merry making and the accompanying rituals. One of the most popular ones’ is the making of ‘New Year Resolutions’. It basically involves the creating of a personal list of do’s, and don’ts whose goal is to enable you have a better life experience in the new year. As you take stock of the old, and look to the new, here are five resolutions to consider making that will help you create a space that you and your family love and thrive in.
1. Have a Vision
Have a vision for your space. Although vision may be a word that we associate with matters that may be considered weightier than Interior Design, this is also an extremely important tool when it comes to designing spaces. Many times we bring furniture and other things into our homes or offices simply because of convenience, a deal we couldn’t pass up, items bought on a whim or peer pressure. Having a vision means taking time to consider what kind of spaces we want and the vibe we’d like it to exude, then allowing that to give direction to the purchases or changes that we make.
A rule of thumb when it comes to Interior Design is to acquire pieces that you like and that resonate with you. However, if you are not working with the big picture in mind, this too may result in disappointment leaving you with items that don’t work for you. If you lack ideas, read or go online, there are many sources of inspiration that will help you put together a vision for your space. Bear in mind that your taste and vision can change with time and that is okay. This is what will guide you in the meantime and result in a considered space that will keep you from being frustrated by the process, help you save on time, money and will most likely produce a result that you will be happy with for a long time.
2. Declutter
In the process of living our lives we unwittingly accumulate things into our spaces. This accumulation when left unchecked can easily get out of hand and at its most extreme become conditions such as Hoarding Disorder, where one acquires an excessive number of items and is unwilling to part with them. Of course thriving in a cluttered space is completely out of the question. Clutter in our surroundings tends to be projected onto our mental states and weighs us down, so we must do everything in our power to make sure we never allow our spaces to become bogged down with needless things. Thankfully, periodic decluttering – a simple enough process but one of the most procrastinated tasks in the home and work places – is the solution. It involves taking stock of what you have, what you wish you had, deciding what works, what doesn’t, what stays and what goes. Followed by physically removing the items that are no longer serving your needs from your space, then cleaning up. It has many tangible benefits and the beginning of a new year is the perfect occasion but should not be the only time that you carry it out. It delivers more than a leaner, cleaner space. It has a therapeutic, cleansing effect that boosts your mood, relieves anxiety, sharpens your focus and energizes you into productive mode.
3. Get Organized and create systems
We share the spaces where we live and work with people, pets and things that make our life easier or more comfortable. These coupled with the stuff that we keep accumulating in the normal process of life can become a hindrance to efficiency and effectiveness. For example, so much time is wasted, ‘hunting’ for misplaced items: keys, spectacles, books, and other things. This can be easily resolved by using a simple formula that helps keep everything organized – ‘a place for everything and everything in its place.’ Find a ‘home’ for all the items in your space, whether that is keys, remotes, shoes, clothes, documentation, etc. Identify a convenient practical space to store them, then train everyone to put it back immediately after use. This practice alone will save you a lot of time, headache and quarrels. By extension, identify other areas in your life that may be bringing some level of stress because of lack of order, then come up with ways to not only create but maintain the positive result that you hope for, your life will be the better for it.
4. Maintenance
“Usipoziba ufa, utajenga ukuta!” This is a Swahili proverb that interprets as “seal the crack or build a wall!” advising that if a crack is not sealed on time, one will end up building a wall. It is an encouragement to quickly respond to disrepair by carrying out regular maintenance. The process of keeping or continuing a thing so that it remains in good working condition and functioning for a long time. Most peoples’ mindset is wired to acquire and replace rather than maintain what they have. Resolve to carry out regular checks and maintenance on your home and the things that you have. When something needs repair ask can I renovate or reupholster or is it a candidate for repurposing. Resist the temptation to throw away everything that seems to have outlived its purpose especially if it is a sentimental item. By repairing and reupholstering you can give an old piece a new lease on life. The trick is in knowing what to keep and what to throw away. Maintenance is not just for structural or mechanical items but extends to furnishings as well. Use slip covers on your sofas and dining chairs, have multiple cushion covers and throws. This will not only protect them and keep them looking good for longer but is a great way for refreshing your space.
5. Enjoy
This may be easier said than done especially when you’ve put in time and money to get your place just the way you want it, you do not want anyone messing it up! There would be no point in having a “Pinterest” or “Instagram” worthy space that no one can use. Learn to enjoy your space, the process and reason for curating it. It doesn’t have to be perfect before you can begin using or appreciating it. Invite family and friends over, have a meal and catch up. One of the best things to be able to do in life is to experience something you love together with friends and family. Some things may break down or go out of place, don’t fall apart – understand that you are creating that space for you and others to enjoy.
As an Interior Designer I have found that homes – our private retreats from the world – have the capacity to give us so much joy and pleasure. The COVID pandemic and resulting lockdown has only served to reinforce how important it is. It is not necessarily the big things, sometimes it’s the pattern on a favorite chair that belonged to someone beloved or the way a painting energizes an otherwise plain wall that makes it feel personal and special. Whatever it may be, let us nurture what we have. Consider making one or more of these resolutions your own for the New Year and enjoy more of what you have.