The 10 things you want to know before you decorate a house
The house is yours, but now you want to make sure that jaws drop when your guests step over the threshold and (also not unimportant) you need to feel at home within those four walls. Odette Simons is the creative director of Westwing and tells you how to achieve that.
Which item in the interior is an overlooked gem but shouldn't be?
“Lamps. People often think too late about lighting, but you should start with a good lighting plan. This way you can immediately check if there are enough light points. Think about basic lighting for the ceiling, functional lighting around your cabinet, accent lighting for reading, and of course ambient lighting. There are now so many cool lamps that look just as good off as they do on. And wall lamps are back in style. Don't forget the hallway either. It's often just a storage space for coats and shoes, but that's such a shame because you can really go wild there since you're only briefly in it and won't get tired of it quickly. With a nice mirror, wall art, or a large plant, you immediately make a statement, which makes entering much more fun.”
What colors are we painting our walls in 2019?
“Ooh, there are many trends, but it's also so personal. You definitely see a lot of color on the walls, bold with deep green, but also a lot of nude like soft yellow or soft pink. Those shades fit the minimalist trend and are the perfect canvas for your belongings and plants.”
How do you bring more luxury into your home on a nice budget?
“Look for photos of houses you like to see what the eye-catcher is there. Material, color, or just emptiness? Luxury is excess for one and clean for another. Less is more and quickly gives a sense of luxury, so it helps to give one item a thick status. It can be as expensive as you want. A lamp that stands out or an XXL photo on your wall, maybe even your grandmother's chair that has been in the family for years. Also use your surroundings. Do you have a lot of greenery? Emphasize it with mirrors. Is the light particularly good somewhere? Place your most beautiful items there.”
In which three items in the house is it smart to invest?
“A sofa, a table, and a bed. Those three, in my opinion, will last a long time, so it's important to think carefully about them and consider what is important. A table becomes more beautiful as it ages: the dents and scratches tell a story. A bed is important because that's where you relax, and it should fit you as a sleeper, but also think carefully about whether you read there and want to sit up comfortably. And around the sofa, you build the entire seating area.‘
What should you always keep in mind when decorating your home?
“Where does the sun rise, where is the light? And where do you drink a cup of coffee in the morning and in which chair do you want to relax after work? Place that in a spot that makes you happy. Also pay attention to sound: if it's busy at the front of your house, just switch the layout. Just because the whole street has the same layout doesn't mean you have to stick to it, of course.’
How do you create the feeling of having a new home with few changes?
“With accessories and cushions, you give your home a makeover without having to pull out your DIY outfit. Also nice: it doesn't have to cost a lot of money. I'm addicted to poufs; I think they're multi-talented. They look nice, you can place them randomly, and they're great to sit with your feet up.”
What should you better leave out of your home?
“Copying blindly. Your home should reflect who you are, and you should feel good in it.”
If you had to leave one item in your home for the rest of your life, what would it be?
“For me, that's my green Artifort chair, one of the first things I bought when I moved out on my own. At that time it was purple, but after a few years, I had it reupholstered in green.‘
Your four favorites that are now for sale in the Westwing shop?
- Velvet pouf Hailee, €169 Westwing Collection
- Vase Rilla, €32 Nordal via Westwing
- Cushion cover Ariana, €19.95 Westwing Collection
- Bamboo daybed, €714 Blond via Westwing
How do you ensure that your interior matches yourself?
“Get inspired, but try not to copy. Mix new items with old treasures from your family or bring things back from your travels; that brings memories home. Also, make a mood board of how your home is now and how you want it to be; it's funny to see that difference. You often only see it when you make it visual. But above all, don't be too strict about your interior, because that scratch or that smudge gives just that little bit of authenticity.”
