10 Ways to Bring Your Space to Life with Playful Decor
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Do you want to transform your home into a lively, vibrant space that sparks joy and excitement? Many of us crave a fun and playful atmosphere but often struggle to achieve it. Creating a space that exudes personality and breaks away from the ordinary can be daunting. However, by finding the perfect balance and carefully selecting the right elements, you can inject life and energy into your surroundings.
So, how do you avoid being bored and liven up your space in the right way? Let’s take a look.
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How To Liven Up Your Space With Playful Décor
01) Start With Something Small
Making a room more fun requires taking gradual, slow steps and building up from a solid base. You don't have to completely transform every aspect of your interiors. To begin with, just focus on changing one or two items.
Consider selecting a specific corner in your hallway as a starting point. Experiment with different design ideas until you find something that resonates with you. These small changes can be a launching pad for future transformations in other rooms you may want to tackle later. For example, you could change the color of one of the walls in your living room or add plushies to the bedding in your kids’ rooms. Ideally, choose something that breaks away from the typical style to create an instant impact.
02) See What Works
Once you've taken the initial steps to introduce some life into your space, it's time to keep pushing boundaries and see what works best for you. Experimentation will help you gain confidence and a better sense of what truly elevates your home's aesthetic.
For example, if you've made changes to a corner of your hallway, consider expanding those ideas to transform the entire room. You might notice that big mirrors or glass vases really work in that setting and want to continue using them. Don't limit yourself to one area; you might discover that the ideas you had intended for the hallway are better suited to your kitchen or orangery. Transferring them could make these spaces less mundane and more interesting to the eye.
03) Find Quirky Objects
Another effective strategy is to find quirky objects and add them to an otherwise ordinary room. These distinctive pieces add character and intrigue without overpowering the entire space or compromising its original charm.
The choice of quirky objects is entirely up to you. It could be a funky light shade or an armchair inherited from your great-uncle. If you don’t have any quirky objects you could use on hand, try looking for them in thrift stores and flea markets. Vendors often have bargains in their inventories and sometimes negotiate with you, allowing you to get a better price. Once you acquire a distinctive piece, be bold and make it the room's focal point, allowing it to shine in all its unique glory.
04) Think Outside Of The Box
When it comes to reviving a space, thinking outside the box is crucial. Simply following the crowd will only limit your potential and hinder your goals. Immerse yourself in uncharted territory, where creativity thrives.
Unfortunately, we can’t provide any specific guidance on thinking outside of the box when livening up your rooms. It depends entirely on your unique perspective and imaginative thinking. However, we can offer some examples to spark inspiration:
Use thick black tape to stick your pictures to the wall instead of conventional frames.
Upcycle an old item the previous homeowner threw in the cupboard and transform it into a masterpiece.
Introduce interactive elements in unexpected places like the living room or bathroom.
Draw inspiration from global cultures by selecting a random country on the map and adding design ideas from that region.
Create captivating light shows on your ceiling by cleverly combining LEDs and projectors.
Paint old mugs and vases to create new ornaments to adorn all your tables and sideboards.
When an idea captures your imagination, don't hesitate to run with it, exploring its potential and allowing it to evolve. Remember, the journey to a vibrant and lively home is a continuous process!
05) Remember To Be Functional
While designing a whimsical interior can be fun, it's important to keep the rooms practical and usable. Here are some ideas that merge functionality with fun:
Hang shelves from the ceiling to maximize vertical space.
Put small chairs in bookcases that pull out when people want to read.
Consider using coffee tables with lift tops for a playful and engaging design.
Add plenty of ottomans with built-in storage and surprise pop-out drawers for guests to store their belongings.
By incorporating these functional elements, you can ensure that your space remains practical without sacrificing its whimsical appeal.
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06) Play With Your Lighting
Another way to make rooms seem more fun is to play with their lighting. Adapting and adjusting illuminations helps transform the space's atmosphere, turning it into a living, breathing area instead of a museum with a few quirky objects.
Consider the following lighting ideas:
Use fairy lights to add a magical touch to your space. These lights are affordable, energy-efficient, and can be placed around the rooms in various creative ways.
Create a constellation ceiling using white LEDs to showcase the Milky Way or star signs. This adds a relaxing and whimsical feel to the room.
Utilize recessed lighting by placing lights above cabinets or shelving to enhance the ambiance of the room without being directly in the line of sight.
Explore unique and engaging lampshades to add character and style to your living spaces.
By experimenting with different lighting options, you can transform the atmosphere and make your rooms more fun and vibrant. However, they require special installation and setup.
07) Don’t Be Afraid Of The Unexpected
Don't be afraid to think outside the box and embrace unexpected ideas when designing a fun space. Once you start playing around, you’ll discover numerous ideas that transform your space and make it whimsical. Yes, some of your ideas will fall flat, but others will be smash hits (and potentially things you use in every room).
You never quite know when inspiration will hit you, so be patient. Try not to force yourself to be creative. Instead, rely on your mind doing the unconscious work for you, feeding you ideas when they are most useful or relevant. For example, you might decide to create a vintage lamp from copper piping or turn an old leather suitcase into a coffee table. Inspiration can strike at any time, so keep a pen and notepad handy to jot down ideas as they come to you, even if it's on-the-go or during everyday activities.
08) Include Musical Instruments
You can also inject more fun into spaces by adding musical instruments. Putting a piano in the corner or a guitar on the wall instantly makes the space more inviting, particularly for music lovers.
If you go down this route, avoid placing functional musical instruments. These won’t usually complement your décor or make your rooms look more fun. Instead, Opt for decorative instruments that complement your décor and theme, even if they are not operational. Think of them as focal points in the room that add visual interest and highlight your love for music.
09) Create More Hidden Gems
Adding hidden gems to your home can add intrigue and make your space even more enjoyable for guests. For example, you might put a staircase behind a moving wall with a spiral staircase to an observatory at the top of your home. You could also have secret storage for books and other items under your floorboards.
You can make your space feel like a treasure hunt by incorporating hidden details. Guests will discover something new every time, keeping them on their toes. Once they find one thing, they will wonder whether there are more.
10) Memory Lane Corridor
If your corridors look a little bare, you can make them more lively by displaying pictures and objects that take you down memory lane. You could start with your oldest snaps and then move chronologically to your newest ones over time.
Consider the following suggestions:
Start with your oldest photos and gradually move chronologically to your newest ones, creating a visual timeline.
Display objects you've acquired over your life, such as fossils, beach shells, or mementos, in a cabinet.
Make use of your attic and bring out old vinyl records or sports equipment to showcase your personal journey.
By incorporating these personal touches, you can turn your corridor into a memorable and nostalgic space.
Transforming your living space into a whimsical and fun environment doesn't have to be complicated. As discussed earlier, finding the right balance is key to avoiding chaos and maintaining functionality.
Taking a gradual approach and making small changes can be a great starting point. By experimenting and exploring different ideas, you can gradually infuse your space with playful elements that suit your taste. This allows you to refine your design concept and make adjustments along the way, you create a space that is both fun and functional.
Are you thinking about changing up your decor? Let us know in the comments!
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