This three year old boy exclaims, “This house is beautiful” upon his mum driving through the gate.

Asking this adorable baby, from his perspective, what makes the house beautiful? He mentions the flowers, the space, and most importantly, the vintage swing set outdoors.

From a kids lens, we could say space plays a vital role for physical activities and swings… who doesn’t like to swing on a private property? All the swings with no one to wait his or her turn, probably a kids greatest joy.

But no, that’s not why we are here? Today we are here to see how one can elevate a home to capture the attention of not just 3 year Olds, but to capture your own attention.  The homemakers attention. 

Elevating space doesn’t have to be expensive or radical. In little ways, you can pop this corner here with shelves or that empty corridor there with a long carpet. Speaking with an interior design expert for over 35 years, Aisha Bello mentions a bit of tips to prop your house. Let’s see what we have.

1. Lamps: Lamps are classic items that have been around for a long while. Not just the modern lamps, but those shady long lamps that are propped at a corner with a round table, a comfortable chair, and a stack of books. I still have a core memory of when I was 7 and constantly wanting new books, so I could go sit in the cozy lamp corner.

2. Plants: Plants are adaptable both outdoors and indoors, including the toilet. A touch of water plants in the shower cubicle could make you smile on every shower session. And, pro tip, it doesn’t wither because it is a water plant getting its regular water intake. But not just the toilet, bedrooms, and living rooms deserve plants, too. Will it attract insects? Of course, but what’s nature without insects. 😆

3. Fancy Jars: Remember the coffee, tea, and sugar jars sold as an item for the kitchen or tea lovers? It comes in different colors, material used, and sizes. If you get the ceramic ones with minimal design or just a pretty design to admire, that alone could make your kitchen shelf look pretty. Quite artsy. For DIY fancy Jars, go for Olives or sweet jars and add stickers, drawings, or spray the lid golden or your preferred color.

4. Weird items: You have got to stand out in your quest to elevate your space somehow by projecting your personality into your space. That’s why it is yours. Have a collection of dragon ball z figurines lined up on the library, or a bed in the shape of a car in your room, 12 cats or a kettle that lights up? That makes your guest want to say “oh this is different. This has my attention.” Or have you sneaking back to the kitchen for a cup of tea in the dark.

5. Shelves: shelves elevate your space as well as your items. Floating shelves or movable shelves are good. Giving the area more to see from different angles rather than one. It stores books, perfumes,  bags, clothes, you name it. With shelves, more space is created around you. The walls are also flat surfaces waiting to be used.

6. Clocks: We all have a little clock with us now, on phones, on the wrist, or even from the sun direction if you move that way.  But remember the statement an old grandfather’s clock gave in a room? Quite spectacular, this is why a dramatic clock will definitely define your space. So posh it up with some fancy clock big enough to have all the time in the world.

7. An outdoor setting: the outdoor area doesn’t have to be a random storage place. Rather, light it up with a rug, a chair and a plant for a nice feel and a creation for a different space in the house.

Aish Bello mentions that every corner in a house should have its own personality, its own spirit. That’s why when you are in certain moods, there are certain places you want to be. Give you space the chance to provide you with change.

8. Art Pieces worth Decades: it’s not just furniture that should fill up a room or additional ornaments only, but art pieces. Art captures attention just like galleries do. If you keep a guest waiting for reasons, it won’t be much of an inconvenience. Why? Because they’d use that time to look at your art collection. You don’t have to go all out spending on Art. You could make it yourself.  Get a nice picture from a calendar and frame it says Aisha B. Or have multiple sip and paints of your original artwork says P.O.T.S.

There are so many fancy ways to upgrade your space from minimal of faux plants to maximum of a huge wall to wall library.  It doesn’t have to be radical. It just has to be you. A bit of DIYs could go a long way. The trick is to buy one timeless piece at a time while incorporating it with what you can easily afford now. Once the interest is there, the build-up for a unique fancy uplifted space gets easier.

To round it up, here are some additional mentions:

Rugs.

Mirrors.

Personal pictures framed.

Throw pillows.

Round tables. And so much more.

As always,

Cheers to the soft life. 🥂