JOIN USWe all love our personal spaces, be it the reading corner by the window or the comfy space beside the bed. Sharmila Chand tells you how to get it right, decor wise.
Do you have a favourite corner in your house? Your own little space to escape from the world? Believe it or not, you definitely need a ‘chill-out zone’ at home that can help you unplug and catch up with some ‘me-time’ amidst the whole lot of activities that are going on. If you don’t have one, its time you think about it. But before you start creating and designing your corner, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.
Location
A sunny corner in your living room next to the window is the ideal place to have your secret space. If you love reading, then what better than a sunny corner of your home, where you can sit in a comfortable chair with a nice book in your hands and a steaming cup of your favourite beverage?
If you love creative stuff like knitting or sewing or even painting, then this corner will be your best place in the world, especially on a cold winter day with the rays of sunshine on you.
Vital lighting
An absolute essential for any activity is the lighting. Your favourite nook should have adequate lighting, neither too bright (or harsh) nor too soft. Go in for some soft lights that are adequate for reading or knitting. During the day, nothing beats natural light, but it would be advisable to put up some curtains so that the glare doesn’t get in the way of reading your favourite book.
Furniture matters
Get some light low shelves to keep your books or other things. You will also need a table so that you can place your laptop or do some writing. Remember to pick the right furniture and then do up your corner. Place some bric-a-brac to personalise your space, but do not clutter with too many things.
What could work well is a suitcase stack. You don’t even need to place a table or a shelf. Just stack up old or vintage suitcases, which are in good shape, and use them as a side table. They are just wonderful due to their flat surface. Be smart and fill them up with your stuff, maybe stationery items or wool if you are knitting, or your music CDs. This way you have a table as well as extra storage space. If you display a coordinated wall art or photo frames or an antique clock, you have an interesting decor.
Comfort seating
You can’t do any activity for too long if you don’t have a comfortable seating arrangement. Traditional armchairs are the best bet, or accent chairs and loungers with lots of cushions can work beautifully. Some people like sink-in sofas for perfect lounging. If you have the budget, you could also invest in a barcalounger.
A dash of thoughtfulness
Enhance your corner’s decor with some treasured items and your favourite bits you’ve collected over time. It could be a nice bookmark, or a cardholder or your grandma’s old table clock. Maybe you have pillow or cushion covers with your mother’s embroidered work, take them out and use them in your space.
Displaying a favourite piece of art on an easel or placing an indoor plant in a beautiful pot, also add to the charm. You could take a large decorative pot or urn and fill it with water, then put some floating candles and rose petals. It will perfectly fill the space and make it charming.
Play with colours
Mixing and matching different textures and colours can be just the right thing for transforming a space from boring to beautiful. If you need to brighten up your corner, just pile up colourful cushions and see how they bring cheer and make your special corner appealing. Cushions of all shapes and sizes with your favourite prints and designs grouped together on a daybed, or sofa, can help enhance and liven up the decor of the area. You could also go in for colourful wallpaper with some warm
accents. They will do the trick. Colours such as warm yellows and rust work
magic to bring cheer to any space.
Personal touch
*Place your favourite tit-bits in your corner. This will personalise your space.
*Try to use recycled stuff as this will bring forth your own creativity.
*Keep changing the colour combinations to avoid boredom.
*Keep seating arrangements very comfortable. It should be good to sit upright, or stretch well, or even sleep when you feel like it.
*Lighting should be such that it allows you to do your work well as well as lets you relax and sleep.
*Try to accommodate at least two or three small plants as greenery always brings life to the space.
*Have the right power sockets to charge your phone, laptop or play music.
So, let your corner be a place for you to chill at any time of the year.