Brandon's 11 steps to creating a fabulous space

Step 2: Personalize

Ok, there’s been a frenzy over the past few years about housing prices, and home equity, etc., where it’s been drilled into us about all the potential value we have in our homes and how you’d better pay attention to your resale or risk losing all that money.

     But I think we’ve gone too far the other way.  Now we’re so concerned with resale that we’re terrified to do anything to our spaces that might compromise the potential for money.  The problem is that it’s making us end up living in these boring homogenized spaces, where everything is neutral and unoffensive.

While it might eventually be important for you to neutralize your space for future buyers (or renters), what you need to do in the meantime is to personalize your space!  You’re the one that lives there!

Keep your memories without creating clutter.   Your family photos, the special items you’ve collected from your travels, that cool funky chair your uncle gave you, all add up to a space that can be beautiful yet still uniquely yours.  However, you still need to keep things uncluttered and simple.  Pick out the three photos that really hold the most joy for you instead of displaying every single photo you ever took. 

Everything must be clean, fresh and in working order.  So you can keep Uncle Bob’s cool funky chair, but check out the upholstery.  Is it old and faded or torn?  Have the chair reupholstered in a modern fabric.  And fix that wobbly leg.  It’s great to have that old clock on the mantle, but make sure it works first!  Items that are worn out, out of date or not functional will just depress rather than inspire.

Let your imagination go, but then apply current trends.  Do you dream of living in a chateau in Southern France?  Do you think you used to be a sultan in a past life?  Are you obsessed with Anime and Sci-fi?  Bring all those things to your space!  But just apply current design trends while doing it.  Be inspired by what moves you, but simplify it and keep it up to date.  

Color.  This is easiest and least expensive way to personalize your space.  Step out of the “antique white” and taupe world you’re living and jump into some hot reds, vibrant blues, and soothing greens.  Color can instantly change the mood of your place and really allow you to express yourself.  Choosing the specific color can be tricky, but there are tons of resources out there to help you; the local hardware store, online, or even your favorite Interior Designer!  The idea is to not be afraid of making a bold statement.

     I like to play a game.  If someone who didn't know you walked through your space, would they say "loves kids", or "vibrant person, must love sports", or "into high tech and anime".  Or would they think "oh, there must have been a sale at Dania".  

     In the end, you just need to ask yourself, if a friend saw a photograph of your space, would they be able to tell it was uniquely yours because it truly reflected your personality?