[Image credit: Patrick Biller]
As we’re having to adjust to spending more time at home, we’re also having to create spaces that are practical and multifunctional. But that doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice style. You can still decorate your home so it feels good and looks good. Even better, it can be done without spending a lot of money—in some cases, using items you already have on hand—and without ever leaving the house!
We chatted with Tiffany Leigh Piotrowski, Principal Designer of Tiffany Leigh Design Inc., to get her expert tips and advice on how to style and refresh a space so it looks fantastic but is also multifunctional, so it can accommodate our current reality where many of us are working from home. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, we also wanted Tiffany to let us know how to accomplish this without needing to leave the house or spend a lot of money. We weren’t sure if she could pull it off, but Tiffany is amazing at what she does and was able to offer up several helpful tips! If you want to see her own 700-square-foot Toronto condo and how she’s styled it, we’ve include a House & Home video below that features her gorgeous space (and includes a stunning Posterjack Framed Print displayed in her living room).
4 DIY Home Decor Styling Tips Using What You Already Have
What are some ways people can style and refresh their space using items they already have at home?
1. Shop Your Home
[Image credit: Patrick Biller]
“I really believe that the home is a place for exploration and play when it comes to style - and this doesn't have to mean spending a lot of money! I've restyled my office bookshelves a couple of times since lockdown. I like to take everything down, dust, and then shop my home for new accessories and objects to display. It always surprises me how simply moving an object to a new spot can give you a whole new level of appreciation for it!”
2. Bring The Outdoors In
[Image credit: Patrick Biller]
“Another favourite trick, especially since a lot of us are stuck inside right now, is to bring some greenery in. This instantly adds life to any space and can be as simple as snipping a big branch in the yard!”
3. Print Your Memories
[Image credit: Patrick Biller]
“It's a great time to finally tackle sorting through all of the pictures on your phone or digital camera and pick some to print out and use as art. We recently worked with Posterjack to have a large print made of a photograph that we took on a trip to Portugal. While travel bans are in place, it takes us back to some of our fondest memories traveling with friends, plus it adds a big wow factor to our living room wall!”
4. Switch Things Up
[Image credit: Patrick Biller]
“Sometimes even just a game of 'musical pillows' and switching pillows from one room to the next, or even from the sofa to the chair, can give you a fresh take you weren't expecting!”
Tips on How to Create a Stylish Multi-Functioning Space
With people spending so much of their time at home now, they’ve had to turn their rooms into multipurpose spaces; the dining room is also the kids’ classroom; the master bedroom is now a workout room; and the laundry room is functioning as the home office (and place to hide from the kids). What tips do you have for people for how they can create multipurpose spaces but still have their homes look great?
Stash Your Work When The Day is Done
[Image credit: Tiffany Leigh Piotrowski]
“Our homes are being put to the ultimate test right now, and sometimes stretched beyond their means or intentions. I believe that any home is able to evolve and change to suit your needs with a little creativity! As someone who works from home on the regular, I think the most important tip is to have somewhere to stash your work when the day is done, in order to create some separation between personal life and work life. It's a great time to go through our dressers and clear out some clothing, which might free up some drawer space to tuck work away as well!
“If your dining table is now your desk - try using a large lidded basket in the corner to tuck away the papers and laptop. It will help keep you sane, and your space looking great when the workday is done. Consider placing a lamp on the dining room table that will help you while working but also look stylish when not in use.”
Make Functional Items Visually Pleasing
[Image credit: Lauren Miller]
“My other big tip is that if you need to purchase functional items for your new reality, try to think about buying visually pleasing functional items to meet these needs.
“This is something I'm a strong advocate for, even pre-quarantine. These items might cost a little bit more than their bright plastic counterparts, but they will typically last much longer, go a long way to supporting local artisans and small shops during this time, and are often better for the environment. For example, I am not bothered by my dish brush being left out on the counter because it's a wooden brush with natural fibre bristles. It looks beautiful and is neutral so it doesn't draw the eye to the mess or clutter. I might not be enthusiastic about a blue plastic scrub brush in the same way. The same can be said for things you might need to work from home like pens and pencils, file folders, etc. I keep my wooden pencils in an old piece of pottery - they're easy to grab but look chic all the time.”
Tiffany’s To-Do List
What home styling and organizing tasks are on your own to-do list at the moment?
“Small Project: Our pantry needs help! We've been going through our canned goods and spices quicker than ever as we avoid trips to the grocery store, and it's made me realize that we need a better system of organization here.
“Big project: Our next bigger project is our patio. We live in a downtown Toronto condo and are lucky enough to have a small balcony to call our own (a backyard would be a total dream right now!). Going anywhere outside is hard because the city is so dense and we want to respect and maintain social distancing, but as the weather is getting nicer, we are craving being outside. We have plans to turn our small balcony into a little oasis, also inspired by our travels!”
Tiffany’s Toronto Condo
Want a peak inside Tiffany’s own beautiful Toronto condo? Check out this House & Home video! And if you want to create your own photo art, you can get started here.
