One of the great things about owning a home is that you can decorate it to fit your personal taste. Do you like the traditional look, or something a little more eclectic? Do you subscribe to the notion of Feng Shui or is it more important for your home to have the “lived in” look?
No matter if your goal is to live in peace where you’re at, or sell your home for that perfect ranch, or you just bought a home and want to personalize it to fit your family – you can’t go wrong going for a good, old-fashioned southern style.
Here are some sure-fire ways to put some southern comfort into your home sweet home.
1. Define your own personal version of “Southern”
There is no monopoly on how to define a southern style. Some people see elegance and antique furniture as distinctly southern, while others believe the look has more to do with color and brightness. If you’re not sure which way to go, check out some nearby homes for sale to get some inspiration.
2. Let the light in
The southern life is sunny and warm, and you can bring this warmth into your home by hanging drapes that are lighter and more translucent. Consider going with muted pastels instead of harsh reds and open those windows on a nice day.
3. Go rustic in your kitchen
Everyone knows that the southern kitchen is a magical place where the southern lady makes an impression on the taste buds of family, friends and strangers who happen to stop by their home. Make room for cooking big meals and don’t skimp on the spice rack. Purchase a set of cast-iron skillets to hang on the wall and add an authentic southern feel, with rustic-style eye candy like roosters and wooden plaques. Even installing barn style lighting elements will help bring the country inside your kitchen.
4. Put some time into designing a pleasant outdoor space
Part of the charm of southern living is sitting out on the front porch with a glass of lemonade and a friend, admiring the landscape and talking about life and what’s going on in the community. While you may not have to tools to plant cherry blossom or magnolia trees, consider adding some plants and or even cactus to complement your new warm weather social hub.
5. Live the life & bring it home
To bring a southern comfort feel to your home, the most important thing you can do is to live the life and take on the attitude and style – once you do, it will begin to blossom out into each and every room of your home. Go horseback riding, farmers markets, rodeos, maybe even a Nascar race! Invite your friends over for a casual afternoon in the garden, DIY crafts and a traditional southern meal. The more of the life you live will project into your home, and also the more pleasantly southern you’ll feel. It doesn’t have to be a formal event. It’s more important that there is plenty of food, fun and good conversation.
Southern comfort is found mixed in the tangible and the intangible. Wicker furniture, farm-decor, elegant antiques and roughened wood can all put a little southern style into your home. But more importantly is the sense of comfort you create by your actions: letting the world in through open windows and open hearts, cooking food that satisfies the body and the spirit, and sharing a story and a bottle of wine with the people who make your house a home.
