5 Design Lessons Everyone Should Know
A few years ago, we were all stuck in our homes, with our stuff, a lot of which had probably gone mostly unnoticed until it was all we could see. With our lives coming to a full standstill, so many people started looking at what was in their homes, and making moves to make changes. I firmly believe every cloud has a silver lining, and as difficult as it may have been, that experience was no exception, and the interior designer/Feng Shui lover in me did rejoice at the fact that people were really starting to pay attention to what is in their homes. But as time has gone on, I have begun to wonder whether the 5 lessons I think are essential for everyone to know (something I was inspired to write originally during the pandemic), are things people think about anymore. I hope so, because our homes are STILL an essential part of our lives, even if we do get to travel and work in offices and go to restaurants again.
These are some essential lessons and no matter what’s going on in the world, we should pay attention!
Lesson 1 - You never needed all that Sh*t!
Before Covid, we were always on the go - whether it was at the office, on a business trip, or a busy mom/chauffeur/personal shopper/chef, so we didn’t always see just how much STUFF we accumulated that we really didn’t need. Yes, the KonMari craze had helped a lot of us to declutter (and fold beautifully), but it’s an ongoing process, not a one off event, and for many, they didn’t actually take an in depth look at the fact that to keep your home clutter free, you have to stop buying as much. And after being denied the easy access to everything, we started to see that we really didn’t need all that much to begin with.
Now, a few years later things may have crept back up on us. And that’s OK. It’s an ongoing process to check in with ourselves, our homes and our belongings, and remove that which no longer serves us. Just don’t let it become something of the past - taking time to declutter is good for your home, and your soul.
Photo by Leticia Almeida via The Spruce
Lesson 2 - Buy less, but buy better!
When designing a home for a client, budget (no matter how big or small), always plays a part. Not everything in a home needs to be top of the line, high end, custom furniture. But there are some things you should not compromise on. There are some things we use ALL. THE. TIME. and those are the things we need to invest in - whatever our budget, we need to buy the best available to us. Your bed, your sofa, and for all of us working from home, your desk chair - these are things that are worth paying the extra money for. They are worth waiting the 8-12 weeks it might take to get them. They support you, and in doing so, make you better rested, more productive, and generally better off. Invest in them, and you’ll be investing in yourself.
Moderne Platform Bed by Thomas Pheasant for Baker Furniture
Lesson 3 - Energy matters!
This might be on the Woo side for a lot of people, but your home has a soul. It has its own energy, and if you don’t care for that energy, it won’t care for you. It’s important to help your home help you. Let the chi in - even if you’re going nowhere, open the front door, open the windows, let that energy flow in. Keep it clean and cared for (see Lesson #1). If you’re into it, sage your home or do a space clearing. Get the negative energy out however suits you - sound clearings, meditations, burning sage, writing affirmations, whatever floats your boat.
Image via Pinterest
Lesson 4 - You don’t know what you have till it’s gone!
My home has always been filled with family photos. They bring me joy and keep me feeling connected to my loved ones spread across the globe. But that became even more precious and prevalent as an expat, and then even more so when the world shut down and it was years before I saw my family in person. A beautifully curated home is a wonderful sight to behold, but if you’re lucky enough to have people that you love in your life - be it by blood or by choice - honor them by having them in your home. Pick some favorite pictures, get some beautiful frames, and put those babies up. You never know when you’ll see your loved ones next, so keep them close to your heart and your mind.
Feng Shui Tip: Keep the family photos out of your bedroom though - that’s a space reserved for you and your partner if you have one, not for your grandmother!
Design by Susie Novak Interiors
Lesson 5 - Design is not frivolous!
This is actually a lesson I too had to learn - not because I didn’t like design, but because I was raised in a family where these things were “secondary,” but I’ve come to learn through my own work and my own journey that the space we surround ourselves with is nothing but frivolous, and that good design is necessary. Why? Because as humans, we crave order, peace and beauty and if we don’t surround ourselves with that, our body starts to take in that negative energy of chaos and disarray and internalize it. It prevents us from being able to focus, from being able to truly rest, from being able to restore and replenish our souls. That is not to say that “design” needs to look a specific way, or even needs to be created by a designer, but rather, that your surroundings should be intentionally curated to reflect you, your interests, and to bring you joy.
Design by the:meaZure
