I have forever spied heavenly looking pictures of amazingly decorated living rooms, bedrooms looking so dreamy that I would be ready to spend my entire lifetime soaking in its beauty. Since duplicating the same wonder often proves to be a hefty task so it wouldn’t hurt to have some nifty tips to help us build our dream home, would it?

Mia Lundström, Ikea India’s creative director, was once stuck with the dilemma of how to use her favorite Swedish décor staple. The story was that she had left her job Amhult in Sweden to work in Delhi and then Bengaluru.

“In Sweden, even outdoors, we use white tables but in India, with the dust and pollution, you have to adapt,” she says.

Well, while her home looks one eye candy, she shares 7 awesome decorating tips to make yours even better!

Find the light source, even before you start imagining the style of your home (bashed-up vintage or stripped-down contemporary). Ascertain rooms that get ample daylight and build around areas that need support. Lighting needs technical planning and is built around your needs—whether you like to read near a window or curl up in a dark corner with a reading lamp.

Image source

All walls don’t need to be the same shade. Mix light and dark colors depending on the light plan of your house. Opt for a neutral palette for rooms that are dark and add wallpaper or a color concept to those with natural light. For homes with children, try matte walls that are easier to clean.

Image source

Don’t rush and buy everything at once. It’s easy to accumulate too much too quickly. Live with your home and understand the space before you start furnishing to avoid cramped rooms.

Find a way to add sustainability to your life. Simple acts that save water, energy or even limit food wastage are great starting points. Ikea offers water saving tips that save up to 40 percent water. Opt for low energy LED lights, or start by sorting out your garbage.

Plan your entire home around children, not just the kid’s room. Children don’t like to be directed to a designated place, they want to be where you are. Safety is also important, so sort out things that should be reachable for them (books, toys, clothes etc.) and those that should be off limits. Use wooden toys instead of plastic, furniture with rounded corners and design using healthy materials—Ikea’s cotton products are child safe. And make sure there’s plenty of room to play.

Image source

Adopt technology: Smart homes are supposed to make your life easier, so bring home technology that you can understand. A great light system with dimming possibilities can be your initiation in the world of automation.

Happy office: Storage is key in your office or study. As is an ergonomically designed chair. Your home office should be comfortable and functional. If you work from home, make sure there is enough daylight in your study.

Image source

Images used are for representation purpose only.

Source: Vogue India