Top Chicago Interior Designer Anthony Michael

The art of transforming a home is rather intricate, as it weaves so many elements throughout the property. Color and texture are two significant aspects homeowners can change to breathe life into their homes and personalize the space, both inside and out. 1. Place Flowers on the Porch Make the entrance to your home as welcoming as possible by adding your favorite blossoms. If you’re setting up hanging baskets, flowers like begonias and geraniums work well in containers and have a vibrant hue to them. If you have the space, sunflowers, marigolds and morning glories also add beautiful, attention-grabbing bursts of color. 2. Put Down a Welcome Rug Greet your guests with a welcome rug. There are textured door mats that make your home look stylish from the get-go. Those with durable bristles are especially helpful at trapping dirt and mud to keep the interior clean. You can even match the color to your front door for some cohesiveness. 3. Add Color to the Exterior Make your place more lively by painting your roof, siding, shutters, or even your front door a beautiful hue. Lighter colors like creams and pastels can establish plenty of curb appeal. They can also reflect outside heat to keep the indoor temperature more comfortable, which is simply a win-win. Choose a color that coordinates with the rest of your home’s exterior. 4. Use Carpeting and Area Rugs The inside of your home can benefit from color and texture as well. Take a look at the flooring all around your home. Contrast the flatter and more solid surfaces like hardwood or marble by adding some carpeting. Area rugs are great for establishing different zones within your space, too. You can also use runners in the entryways and hallways to manage foot traffic. 5. Play Around With Lighting Lighting is a subtle way to breathe life into your home and alter the colors within. Bright white bulbs can offer so much brightness and visibility to the space, which can also highlight its features, from decor to furniture and flooring. However, adding other warmer and diffused options can give your interior design a more ambient atmosphere. Give yourself the option to switch things up. 6. Use Textured Furniture The beauty of furniture shopping is you can see all kinds of designs and textures. From leather couches and sleek metal tables to wood-grain cabinets, the possibilities are endless. Try to choose furniture that speaks to you and spread it out within your home — that way, it doesn’t crowd the space. 7. Incorporate Gold Accents Elevating your home with gold accents can add sophistication and whimsy. Think gold handles and intricate accents on natural mahogany. The hue is also complementary to beige , blue and many other colors. Additionally, you can pair it with other gold-toned decorative pieces within the space. 8. Hang Textured Art Use both color and texture by adding three-dimensional artwork to your space. It can tie the whole theme of a room together and create so much visual interest. Keep in mind that light and heat can cause cracking and discoloration , so you may want to use a protective display case. Try to keep the artwork away from windows as well. Let Your Home Come Alive There’s plenty of room to play around with the house’s color and texture when you take a closer look. Whether it’s with the exterior or interior, bring your ideal look and design. You can also blend aesthetics with functionality to make sure your efforts stand the test of time.

For years, the hygge lifestyle trend has influenced interior design beyond Denmark's borders. The style takes a page from the hygge manifesto, emphasizing tranquility and harmony in a comfortable atmosphere. It doesn't take much to bring the hygge aesthetic into your home, and it's a design choice you can enjoy year-round. What Is Hygge Style, and Why Does Everyone Love It? Hygge is a Danish concept embodying comfort, warmth and simplicity. When it comes to embracing hygge at home, you want to ensure your space feels inviting and nurturing with a focus on relaxation and well-being. Essentially, it should provide a retreat from everyday chaos — somewhere that fosters gratitude, deep connection with others and delight from simple pleasures. Hygge’s popularity has spread, especially with people eager to release stress and take greater consideration for what’s important. They’ve chosen to let go of material items and concentrate on people, things, and experiences that induce joy, communion and ease. Embracing Danish Coziness at Home: 7 Tips You deserve to have a cozy and peaceful environment in which to relax. Embracing hygge can help you achieve this. Here are seven design tips for bringing the hygge aesthetic into your home. 1) Opt for Warm Lighting Bright, blaring light bulbs are far from relaxing. Instead, opt for warm lighting in your hygge home. According to the author of The Little Book of Hygge Meik Wiking, the best light temperature is 1,800 Kelvin for a hygge home — the same as a sunset or flames in a wood fireplace. Add dimmers for greater control over each room’s brightness, purchase table lamps and hang string lights — a great way to make your covered patio or lanai cozier. Decorating with twinkle lights in clear vases, table centerpieces or bedroom canopies is another idea for softness. 2) Keep it Neutral When embracing hygge, you want the atmosphere to remain calm and balanced. A neutral color palette with earthy accents will foster serenity throughout your home. Neutrals are also timeless, allowing you to swap out your decor easily. For a seamless indoor-outdoor aesthetic, maintain a neutral look on your home’s exterior, from the siding to your front door and shutters. Just be sure whatever tone you choose matches all elements of your home’s exterior. According to one study, 87% of real estate experts and 91% of consumers say coordinating roof and exterior colors increases your home value. 3) Integrate Natural Elements Natural elements are popular in Scandinavian decor and add depth to a hygge aesthetic. Consider incorporating wood, natural fibers and stone for a slight rustic vibe. A stone-facade fireplace will ground your living room, while wool or jute will deliver much-needed texture. Filling your home with greenery is also a good idea. Fortunately, there are several low-light, low-maintenance indoor plants to choose from. For instance, pothos can survive up to 11 years with indirect sunlight and watering once weekly. The Chinese money plant is also easy to care for and thrives in low-light conditions. 4) Layer Soft Textiles Whether cocooning yourself in a fuzzy quilt during winter or throwing a thin blanket over your lap in the early spring, soft textiles are essential to a hygge interior. Layering blankets, rugs, and cushions creates a restorative sanctuary and promotes tranquility. Stack rugs with different textures and piles, or drape a throw blanket over the edge of your bed to add texture and warmth. 5) Invest in Plush Seating Investing in comfortable seating is crucial to hygge design. Imagine sinking into a cozy sofa with plush cushioning at the end of a long day. Oversized couches and armchairs deliver the perfect space to unwind with a hot beverage and your favorite book. You might also consider unique seating options like bean bag chairs for a more casual lounging experience. 6) Display Meaningful Items Although you don’t want to overwhelm your home, personal touches with happy memories attached to them can instill a sense of joy. Select things that tell a story about your life and the people you care about, like family heirlooms, photographs and handmade items. These belongings should help ground you while enhancing your home’s visual appeal. Living room built-ins or open wood shelves are excellent places to showcase your beloved treasures tastefully.  7) Light Scented Candles Candles are important to Nordic lifestyles, with over 60% of Danes burning candles more than twice a week during the winter. Illuminate your hygge home with some for a soothing ambience. Scented candles in particular can stimulate your senses to evoke peace and well-being. For example, warmer scents like vanilla and cinnamon might remind you of your childhood, holidays, or other happy moments. Enjoy a Simple Life With Hygge Design Throw your worries away by learning to relax in a hygge home. Of course, a comforting interior design is only the beginning of how this Danish concept can transform your life for the better. Make hygge a daily practice as much as it is your environment.