mismatchedhome.blog

Have you ever looked at a space and knew something was missing, but couldn’t quite put your finger on it?

100 bucks says it’s missing CRAP.

Before adding CRAP, a room just feels… basic and boring 🤐 Rooms without CRAP lack layers, pattern and personality.

After adding CRAP? Boom💥 It feels cosy, layered, textured and full of interest.

Here’s a SketchUp mockup of our library room with and without CRAP 👆

CRAP gives the space depth. Something about it feels warmer and more welcoming compared to the emptier version.

So let’s break down what makes up CRAP 👇

C is for curtains

Your window doesn’t wanna be naked 🫥

Just like you, your window wants to be dressed for the occasion.

Think of white sheers like a little black dress -– a classic neutral option that goes with everything.

But don’t be scared to make a statement. A bold curtain selection can add a big dose of colour and pattern in one fell swoop.

If you have an epic view outside, curtains pushed to the side will frame your window, enhancing your view even more.

And if what’s outside ain’t all that special, then you can at least cover it up with something that is.

R is for rugs

Rugs are the perfect tool to zone your space and define its purpose.

In an open-plan layout, a rug helps separate the lounge area from the dining area.

In a bedroom, a rug frames the bed and makes it more inviting.

Without a rug, it can feel like your furniture is floating in no mans land.

Just like curtains, rugs also add a big dose of colour and pattern in one hit.

Carpet and hardwood floors are typically on the simpler side when it comes to colour and pattern, so adding a rug in a designated area – like around a bed or dining table – essentially adds artwork to the floor while framing and zoning your space.

👀 READ: 6 reasons why rugs make the room

A is for art

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: every space needs art!

There’s nothing interesting about a blank white wall. If you’re not going to adorn it with paint or wallpaper, at least pop a print on it!

Don’t get me wrong; you don’t need to cover every single wall. But if you’ve got four walls, please put some art on at least one of them.

Art is an opportunity to add colour and creativity to your space. Art evokes emotion in a way that functional furniture can’t.

But don’t just buy art for the sake of it; try to make it meaningful. Choose something that gets a reaction out of you, is sentimental somehow, or reflects your personal interests and hobbies.

If you can afford to commission artwork or buy something original, then by all means do it! If not, there are plenty of budget-friendly yet beautiful prints and canvases available online.

P is for plants

The final piece of the puzzle is plants 🪴

Plants add that element of nature to a space. People like to linger in places that feel calming and relaxing, which is why you’ll find plants in every well-designed public space or restaurant.

Plants bring the outdoors in, making you feel instantly more at ease. The colour green evokes feelings of calmness and security, and that association with nature always makes a space feel less sterile and more serene.

If you don’t have a green thumb, there are plenty of easier-care options like devils ivy, snake plants or fiddle leaf figs. Fresh or dried flowers have the same effect, so consider incorporating them as well.

Why CRAP is key🔑

Next time you look at a space that feels cold and clinical, take a look around. Is there CRAP? Could there be more CRAP? 🤔

Picture our living room (above) without CRAP. Without the sheers, brown patterned rug, gallery wall or plants in the corner, the room would be… kinda crap? 💩

Adding curtains, a rug, art, and plants will take your room from a purely functional space to somewhere you want to stay and relax.

So next time you’re decorating a space, don’t forget to add the CRAP!

👉 Follow @mismatchedhome on Insta for more from our home and make sure you subscribe for new articles straight to your inbox.