Geneva Vanderzeil runs one of the world’s most popular lifestyle websites, Collective Gen, where thousands of people tune in daily for her creative advice and stories. Home is Where You Make It is her first book, and it’s a room-by-room guide to making and DIYing your own place, with hundreds of clever styling hacks, repurposing and upstyling ideas, and easy weekend projects to create the home of your dreams. For a limited time only, you can order a copy signed by Geneva!*
Today, Geneva is on the blog to share her six steps to making a wonderful home out of any space. Read on!
What makes a space? Is it the way it looks? How it feels to be in it? Or how it functions? In fact, it’s a mix of all of these. The best way to get the space right is to approach the DIY and styling of a room with a method, rather than in a haphazard way. That’s not to say that you can’t experiment or change the space over time, but it’s worth understanding a room and how it works before you dive into redesigning or redecorating it.
Step 1. Consider the function
A room might look perfect, but if it functions poorly and is uncomfortable it’s not going to be a space where you will want to spend time. The starting point for any room is to understand what purpose you want it to achieve and what that means for the major elements of the room. Is it all about family time and therefore needs to include a large sofa? Or is it a bedroom that’s used just for sleeping and so should only have a bed? Write down the function of the room and the key elements you need in it before you start thinking about anything else.
Step 2. Understand the actual room
It’s easy to get distracted by ideas and inspirations and forget about the space in real life. Take a moment to assess the best (and worst) features of the space. Where is the natural light coming from? How does the roofline feel? Where are the passageways through the space? Look at the key features you want to highlight and those you will need to work around.
Step 3. Put together a mood board
It’s time to start brainstorming and collecting ideas for how you want the space to look. Collect images (either on Pinterest or from magazines) that show the mood and the aesthetics you like in a space. Think about the atmosphere you want to create, as well as the design style you are aiming for. Take into account the room and the function you have in mind when putting together your mood board. There’s no point in building a concept that fails to reference the room itself.
Step 4. Choose a colour palette
If you’ve ever been in a space that didn’t work, even though it seemed like it should, it was probably due to the mix of colours. A feeling of
haphazardness is often caused by the lack of a colour scheme. While colour palettes shouldn’t be overly prescriptive or bland, having a colour palette to refer to, even if it’s a flexible one, will help your space evolve cohesively and give it a harmonious feel.
Step 5. Pick your furniture
The right pieces of furniture will make your space both functional and also visually cohesive. Here are a few factors to think about when deciding on furniture.
Construction: Choose furniture that feels solid and durable – avoid pieces made from particle board and light aluminium.
Silhouette: Try to choose furniture that will complement the design of your space, but not date too quickly. Classic designs will stand the
test of time.
Fabric: Make sure the fabric is appropriate for the amount of use it will get, and choose colours that won’t show marks, particularly in a heavily used space like the living room.
Step 6. Style with the right decor
Once you have all the functional elements of the space in place, it’s time to make it your own by adding decor like rugs, plants, books and table accessories. Good styling is so much more than putting objects on every available surface. The best spaces are styled in ways that are thoughtful and bring the room to life. When in doubt, start with a great rug and add some plants in awkward corners and on shelves. These two elements can completely transform a room. Finish by styling your shelves, table tops and cabinets. Don’t feel like you have to go overboard, but it’s nice to add a few details that bring life and depth to the room.
Images and text from Home Is Where You Make It by Geneva Vanderzeil, photography by Geneva Vanderzeil. Murdoch Books RRP $35.00. Available 4 February 2020.
*Signed copies available only while stocks last.
Home Is Where You Make It
Order a Signed Copy (only while stocks last)
Beautiful and practical DIY projects, styling hacks and design tips for both owners and renters from the founder of one of the world's most popular lifestyle websites.
Add style and individuality to your home with DIY, even when you're renting. Home Is Where You Make It channels the simplicity and beauty of modern living. This is your room-by-room guide to making and DIYing your own place...
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