Learning to Live in Style

The saying ‘home is where the heart is’ has always rang true, but for the average person in their mid-twenties, the true importance of ‘home’ may only just be dawning on them. The flat, or house, or even bedsit that one dwells in begins to take on importance, transforming from just a place to conveniently store possessions and snoozing away the night (and day, perhaps), to a place where you actually live in and belong to. You might, at a certain point in your life, look around and eye the ragged second-hand sofa, the haphazardly stacked books that form the coffee table, or the frightful curtains that your mum donated to you, and think ‘enough is enough’. You’re going to refurnish your home, and what’s more, it’s going to look good.

There will have to be some sacrifices on your part. You will have the gather up your determination and treat the process of buying your furniture with the same love and care as you do with your filling your wardrobe. That skill you put into assessing how well your slim-cut jeans fit will now be rerouted into scouting for that curved chestnut bookcase that will sit perfectly in that corner of your living room. Your weekends will be spent waking up early to trudge through the car boot sales in search of that iconic coffee table to dazzle future guests, in place of indolent Sunday mornings in bed. You reading materials are going to switch from the daily sports section or best-selling paperback to the latest interior design magazines. And your income…

Actually, you might not have to fear for your savings. A beautiful home requires only a colour-coherent background of basic furnishings as a foundation, with a few key pieces to give character and style. With enough time spent prowling car boot sales and charity shops (or even auctions, if you are feeling daring), the basis for a good setting can be quickly and easily established.

For those statement furnishings, there are many styles that one can opt for, ranging from the minimalist modern look to the decorative ornamental style, but for a popular choice one might adopt the classic vintage look. There are various online companies such as Alfred Huntington which can make this process easier for you; not only is reproduction furniture a wonderful way to save money on purchases instead of buying antiques, but each piece of furniture also comes with a host of customisable features, with enough variations of wood and leather coverings to make any traditional gentleman approve.  

So yes, that diversion of energy and money to your home is worth the period of time that it takes, to ensure that your home matches the immaculate image that you present to the world. The realisation of the neglected state of your humble abode may be accredited to growing up, but it’s the actual effort dedicated and put in to elevate it, that is a step up. Make sure to live in style, and not just sartorially.