Introduction
Every time I browse popular home interior design accounts, I wonder: why do other people's homes look so beautiful? Actually, creating an ideal home isn't difficult - the key is knowing how to use some clever renovation techniques. As a super home enthusiast, I've compiled all the experience I've gathered over the years. I guarantee these tips will completely transform your home!
Space Magic
When it comes to creating a sense of space, there are many clever tricks. Mirrors are absolutely the ultimate tool for creating spatial effects! The wall opposite my living room sofa used to be a plain white wall, but after hanging a huge full-length mirror facing the floor-to-ceiling windows, when morning sunlight streams in, the mirror acts like a second window, reflecting light into every corner of the room. This not only increases the brightness of the entire space by a level but visually makes the living room appear more than twice as spacious.
Floating shelves are another of my favorites. I remember spending a long time on Taobao to find the perfect style, choosing three white shelves of different lengths and arranging them in a staggered pattern on the living room wall. I displayed my collection of figurines, small plants, and several minimalist photo frames on them. This instantly gave the previously monotonous wall a sense of story, and most importantly, it doesn't take up any floor space - perfect for small apartments.
In terms of space planning, I paid special attention to traffic flow design. For example, I did a super practical shoe changing area renovation at the entrance. I installed a row of wall-mounted shoe cabinets on the right side of the entrance, with mirrored surfaces on top and space reserved below for a shoe changing bench. This way, the first thing to do when coming home is to put away shoes, eliminating the problem of shoes lying around. Plus, the mirror design makes the entryway look particularly open, and you can do a final outfit check before heading out.
I also did special design work on the living room TV wall. Instead of choosing a traditional TV cabinet, I customized an entire storage wall. There are hidden storage compartments around the TV for small items like game consoles and routers. The sides feature floor-to-ceiling large storage spaces, all with sliding door designs, both practical and beautiful. Best of all, all these storage space door panels use matte materials, creating a very unified visual effect without appearing cluttered.
Light and Shadow Art
When it comes to lighting design, it's really a key point that can instantly upgrade your home. Besides basic lighting, I particularly focused on the use of ambient lights. I added an LED strip behind the TV wall, and when it's turned on while watching movies at night, the entire living room is bathed in soft light - super comfortable.
I placed several aromatic candles on the coffee table, varying in height, with different shapes but all in warm tones. When the candles are lit at night, the warm candlelight combined with subtle fragrance immediately gives the living room a high-end restaurant feel. For safety reasons, I chose electronic candles, which retain the warmth of candlelight without safety concerns.
I also did a lot of research on bedroom lighting. Wall lamps with adjustable brightness are installed on both sides of the bed, and the light can be adjusted in brightness and color temperature according to needs. Warm yellow soft light for reading before bed, switching to natural light color temperature after waking up to help improve mental state.
The study's lighting primarily considered work requirements. Besides ceiling lights, I installed a long-arm desk lamp above the desk that can freely adjust the light angle according to the work area. I also added a cool-toned light strip behind the monitor, preventing eye fatigue during long work sessions.
In terms of natural light, my choice of curtains was very particular. Both the living room and master bedroom use a "double-layer curtain" design - the outer layer is light-blocking fabric that can completely block strong light, while the inner layer is a thin white gauze that creates diffused light when sunlight passes through, making the entire space appear particularly transparent. Every morning around eight or nine o'clock, when sunlight filters through the gauze curtains, it creates a natural beauty filter effect - every casual photo looks great.
Natural Elements
Plants are truly magical in enhancing home quality. I now have no less than twenty plants, from floor-standing Monstera to desktop succulents, with suitable plants arranged in every room. For living room plants, I mainly chose easy-to-care-for varieties like ivy and evergreen plants that tolerate shade. I placed a graceful Monstera on each side of the TV wall, which not only purifies the air but also looks particularly stylish.
I created a small plant corner on the balcony, using flower stands of different heights to arrange plants in layers, ensuring each plant gets adequate sunlight while creating visual depth. On weekends, brewing a cup of coffee and sitting in the rattan chair on the balcony, watching the plants sway gently in the breeze, makes me feel particularly relaxed.
I also placed several herb plants in the kitchen, like rosemary, mint, and basil. They're not only readily available for cooking and seasoning but also keep the kitchen smelling fresh. I hung a small plant rack next to the sink, specifically for hydroponically growing some vegetables like lettuce and chives - ready to cut whenever needed, both fresh and eco-friendly.
The choice of bathroom plants was also carefully considered. I hung several bunches of eucalyptus in the bathroom, and when showering, the steam makes the eucalyptus release a subtle fragrance, turning the entire bathroom into a private aromatherapy spa. Just remember to replace them regularly and keep them dry to maintain the fragrance.
For bedroom plants, I chose ones that are good at purifying air, like snake plants and aloe vera. These plants continue to release oxygen at night, helping improve sleep quality. However, it's important not to have too many plants, as the bedroom is primarily for rest.
Storage Revolution
Storage can be said to be a major challenge for every household. My storage philosophy is: everything must have its own home. First, let's talk about the most headache-inducing problem of electrical wires. If left unmanaged, the wires from various household appliances can really drive you crazy. My solution was to buy a batch of cuttable PVC wire covers, put all exposed wires inside them, and then spray-paint the covers the same color as the walls. This not only solves the visual clutter but also makes cleaning much easier.
Closet organization is also very particular. I categorized all clothes by type and color, then hung them up using uniform hangers. When choosing hangers, I specifically picked ultra-thin ones with anti-slip design, which not only prevents clothes from deforming but also saves a lot of space. The closet also has several drawers specifically for bags and accessories. Each drawer is fitted with transparent storage boxes, making it easy to see where everything is.
The kitchen storage required even more effort. All spices are stored in uniform glass sealed jars, labeled, and arranged by frequency of use. Pots, pans, and tableware also use hanging storage, saving space while remaining easily accessible. I also did a thorough organization of the refrigerator, using many transparent storage boxes to categorize different types of ingredients, making it both neat and easy to see inventory at a glance.
I have a Corgi, and organizing its supplies also required some thought. I made a special pet storage cabinet near the entrance, with the dog's daily supplies on top and retractable food and water bowls at the bottom. This maintains the overall aesthetics of the home while giving the dog its own dedicated space.
The study's storage is also particular. Besides regular bookshelves, I installed a row of wall-mounted storage boxes above the desk for frequently used stationery and office supplies. Under the desk, I used a mobile cabinet with wheels, categorically storing various documents and miscellaneous items, ready to pull out when needed.
Final Touches
Speaking of the finishing touches, wall design is essential. Last year, I finally decided to repaint the entire house, putting considerable effort into color selection. The living and dining rooms use warm beige as the main color scheme, making the entire public space feel cozy and natural. But in the study, I boldly used a deep blue wall as a visual focal point, paired with a natural wood desk and white bookshelves, instantly giving the entire space a high-end feel.
The bedroom walls are painted in a soft mint green, which not only looks particularly comfortable but is also said to aid sleep. To add some interest, I added a circle of minimalist geometric wall decals on the headboard wall, subtle yet design-conscious.
Besides walls, the selection of soft furnishings is also important. I placed several pillows of different textures on the sofa - knitted, velvet - all in the same color scheme but with different textures, giving the entire living room unity while maintaining depth. On the coffee table, I specifically chose a distinctively shaped vase, usually filled with dried flowers, which maintains longevity while adding an artistic touch.
Concluding Thoughts
Actually, creating an ideal home environment doesn't necessarily require spending a lot of money. The key is to discover every detail in life with care and improve it in clever ways. Through these renovations, not only does the home become more comfortable and practical, more importantly, it fills the space with personal character and a sense of life.
Every time friends visit, they comment on how cozy and stylish my home is. This is actually the effect of accumulated small changes. Sometimes just a small change can bring unexpected surprises. Like the vintage record player I recently added to my home - when playing vinyl records, the entire home's atmosphere instantly changes.
Remember, a home is for living, not just for show. All renovations should start from practicality, finding a balance between aesthetics and functionality. I hope sharing these experiences can give everyone some inspiration to create their own ideal home.
