That natural human curiosity comes to the fore when you visit someone’s home for the first time. I love having a good nose around (discreetly of course) as do most of us. Colour choices, style statements, mementos from travels and the general state of people’s homes tell us a lot about them and their personalities.
Your home can reveal a lot more about your personality and life choices than you realise. Virtually everything in and about your home is what it is and where it is because of something you did. It’s a way of expressing yourself and reflects repeated behaviour and choices, which are not all conscious. So do you know what your home says about you?
Deductions start even before you step inside. The size of your house says a lot as a reflection of your income and lifestyle – a large home generally means you are well off and people will certainly assume that immediately. If it looks extravagant, they’ll think you’re a show off. Unfortunately with human nature, we can’t avoid that compulsion to judge a book by its cover.
The colour of your front door also gives visitors a clue – a red door shouts ‘Look at me, I’m not shy‘ while more muted colours appear understated and hint at a more modest personality. Details like welcome mats, outside lamps and well-kept pathways indicate that you are hospitable and welcome visitors.
How’s your exterior layout? Clean lines and symmetrical designs say that you like order and are more minimalist, while intricate or more jumbled arrangements express a love for more complicated arrangements. A mix of the two says you’re balanced…in theory. Obviously if your outside area is cluttered, untidy or neglected, anyone is likely to think you are lazy or slovenly (or both). Or could it just be that the outdoor life really isn’t high on your list of priorities?
Those tacky garden ornaments can indicate bad taste or a sense of humour, depending on how you look at it. Check the height of that fence. If it’s really high you’re likely to be saying: ‘Stay away, I’m a very private person.’ All this before you go through the front door! The reflection of your personality continues in your interior design choices, firstly with the colour palette you choose as we explained in our earlier piece on the psychology of colour in your home.
The materials used inside also have a story to tell. Long-term, more expensive features such as granite countertops or bamboo flooring imply you’re planning to be in the house for the long-term, while cheaper fix-ups say either that it’s a temporary home or you don’t have the money to invest.
Accent pieces reflect your interests, cultural beliefs and religion – think statues, paintings and curios. If space appears ornament-free, you’re probably in the house of someone who likes the simple life, keeping everything – even their shelves – clear and uncomplicated. Bathrooms and kitchens can also be revealing. Are bathroom shelves packed with expensive cosmetics, how thick and fluffy are the towels, is there evidence of candlelit evenings? Is this the room of someone who likes luxury and to indulge themselves or simply a place to get clean or do minimal cooking?
Is the kitchen filled with the latest gadgets implying a keen cook at first look? But perhaps they haven’t even been used and you’re in the home of someone who likes to keep up with the latest gadget trends and doesn’t get round to using them all. Someone into high tech innovations who also has a busy life?
What does your home say about you its inhabitants? Think about it – what does yours say about you?
What your home says about you is a clear understanding of who you actually are — coming to grips with how you use your rooms, who’s in them with you, and what you need and when. In a world of design blogs and Pinterest, it’s sometimes hard to not pine over beautiful homes, without taking the time to assess whether or not they’d work for us. The key is getting to the root of your lifestyle, and then setting your home up accordingly. Here’s how to get started:
This is just the tip of the question iceberg, but the following are the *type* of things you should think about when you’re looking to buy or rent — then setting up — your home.
Do You Have Children and/or Pets? If you have an idea that white sofas are the epitome of comfort and cool, remember that you actually have a drooling dog, or a peanut butter-smeared child. Or, it might be time to put away that sharp glass coffee table and bring out the soft ottomans instead. Your home might not always have to be that way, but right now, it is what it is.
Are You Good at On-going Maintenance? Cut yourself a break and reduce the amount of stuff you have to dust, and buy decor that’s easy to clean. Don’t acquire a bunch of plants that won’t get watered anyway, or create a large lawn that then needs to be mowed each week. Go for a rock garden instead.
Do You Have Special Physical Needs? If you are particularly short, rearrange your cabinets to put those things you use most within easy reach. Or buy a fridge with the freezer on bottom versus top. If you need help moving around the house, look for a bedroom on the first floor.
Are You Informal or Formal? There’s no hard and fast rule that says you need a separate dining room or fancy living room that only gets used once a year on holidays, or when people come over to visit. Make it a family room instead that’s comfortable and flexible, depending on what you’re up to that day.
Are You a Morning Person or a Night Owl? If you are better in the wee hours of the morning, pick a bedroom that is at its brightest early in the day. Choose a light paint color. Those who like to sleep in should consider deeper tones and invest in some substantial window coverings to block out the annoying light.
How Much Space Do You Really Need? Is it worth it to search for an apartment that has a spare bedroom when you never have out of town guests? Or, do you really need a gift wrapping room? Does it make more sense to buy a smaller home and put that money to good use elsewhere?
Do You Crave Privacy, or Entertain Often? Reconsider an open floor plan if you really need a separate home office in which to work. Or, if you never have overnight guests, let go of the idea of an extra bedroom. Convert it into a home office, painting studio, or extra play space for the kids instead.
Source: plentific.com