5 Things Every Room Needs

Today I am rounding up five simple things that I think a well-rounded room should have.

Of course, everybody’s taste is different just as all rooms aren’t made equal. The following list, though not conclusive has things that will instantly uplift and complete any room. These things will also help you if you’re trying to make a mood board as a starting point.

Plants

Plants are such dear things. I love how plants can instantly make a dull corner better. But plants are good not only for visual purposes but also for your health. Studies have also proven that indoor plants improve concentration and productivity (by up to 15 per cent!) — making them perfect for not just your home but your workspace, too.

I get it though, buying plants might be a tad bit intimidating. This is why I recommend the following plants for beginners, which require minimum effort and time. Don’t have a green thumb at all? (I’m not judging) Then start with an easy plant such as a succulent or a cactus.

Monstera deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant): It is fairly inexpensive to buy a 12-inch Monstera and it grows quickly, so you could get some easy height and beautiful leaves in under 3 months.

Hedera (ivy): Ivy is almost indestructible and has a good telltale sign when it needs watering as the leaves will look limp and soft.

Chlorophytum comosum (spider plant): These are great low maintenance plants, which need watering from the bottom perhaps once a week and a misting every now and then. They sprout babies regularly, off the end of their leaves, that are easy to propagate; you will be bombarded with baby plants, which you can then share with friends and family.

Right Lighting/ Lamp

Instead of relying entirely on ceiling lighting, it can make a huge difference to use lighting to change the mood in a room. A room that has only one source of light is missing something. Here are some clever ways to use lamps to set the mood of a room.

Art / Photo

A room without art is like an outfit without accessories. It doesn’t have to be anything big, of course, and not everyone loves huge art pieces that take up a big portion of your living space. Sometimes even the smallest and most subtle photo can mean a lot and introduce a difference in the way you perceive your surroundings.

Curtains

Growing up in Zimbabwe having curtains was almost a norm in all homes. After coming to Germany I was surprised to see most windows naked, or at the very least with some kind of blinds. Curtains are really good for framing a window and giving a room an aesthetically pleasing feel.

Here are some different curtain options I feel in love with.

Pop of colour

Contemporary design these days is raging neutrals. While the term “pop of colour” could mean any myriad of things, from a statement wall to a colourful carpet, the idea is that: A room isn’t complete without leaving your own colourful mark on it even though contemporary design these days is raging neutrals. Adding colour is a tried-and-true way to highlight architectural details and lend personality to a space.