Goodbye, Minimalism; Hello Personality! The Erica Reddy Team

Housing design is evolving, and we couldn’t be more excited about this new, free-spirited trend that is taking over all the channels! In other words, goodbye rigid rules and structure, hello freedom and creativity.

If you’ve dreamed of a bold new look, this could be your time to shine. You can also have more fun with flexible themes when you plan to sell your home, just with a little more care. In this post, we’ll talk about adding a splash of personality to your house.

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Minimalism Goes to the Backburner

Minimalistic themes have dominated the decor scene for years. In magazines, on TV shows, and all over the Internet, you would see pictures of homes with everything painted grey. If not grey, white. If not white, cream. It creates a tidy look, but if you’re not careful, it can be–let’s just say a bit, well, too much of not enough.

The walls are all neutral shades, but the thing people dislike most about Minimalism is feeling that you can’t have anything, lest it be judged as clutter. All surfaces should be bare, no appliances left out, and whatever you do, you must NOT forget to put the remote away out of sight. Although we love the idea of everything having a place, the rules can quickly feel exhausting.

When selling a house, Minimalism can still play a role to a degree. The trick is in the balance. You want buyers to see the potential while also feeling welcome and comfortable. For example:

An Instagram-perfect space might be fantastic for online photos, but in person, buyers want a little more warmth. People love looking at magazine-worthy homes, but no one wants to live in a place where they’re afraid to touch anything.

Fortunately, change is in the air, and there’s a new sense of freedom for what you can do while living in a house full of style.

Looking for even more home style ideas? There’s plenty more where that came from in the posts below:

Bring on the Warmth!

Warmth and character are the themes of today. There’s even more freedom when you plan to stay in your home rather than sell it. In that case, the more personality, the better. Your home really can be an extension of you.

A splash of colour here, a bold accent there, and soft, comfortable throws and pillows everywhere can really make your space feel so inviting! The only danger is that you might never want to leave.

If Minimalism feels cold and impersonal, maximalism is its exact opposite. Whatever you do, think layers.

Maximalism makes clever use of decorative carpets and patterned curtains combined with other textures. The real star of the story is colour. Take your pick, something subtle, something bold, something deep and bejewelled, just as long as it’s never boring!

The combined effect in a single room can showcase a quirky personality and a sense of style no one can duplicate. Often, even the ceiling boasts ornate mouldings or designs.

Always Structured, Never Chaotic

While every homeowner has the freedom to choose whatever style they want, no one wants their space to feel chaotic or messy. That can be the danger with maximalism.

There is a key distinction between embracing life (and home design) with gusto and just being cluttered. What’s the difference? Ask yourself, why is this piece here? If you dropped it there without thought, it could cross the line into clutter. If the piece sparks a lively conversation, it’s there for a purpose. In maximalism, everything has a story.

A Note for Home Sellers

When planning to sell your home, you can enjoy these new themes of personality and freedom, but with a little more caution. Not every trend adds value, regardless of how well it is received in the moment. If you want to make the most of your transaction, you’ll need to balance the fine line between warmth and chaos.

Unlike in the past, you don’t have to paint everything white. Think of the idea behind the colour, or in this instance, lack of colour. The goal is and always was to create a canvas in the buyer’s mind. However, today’s buyers are open to a little more creativity. We can inspire imagination and still keep it sophisticated with hues like terracotta, chocolate, and khaki.

Before investing in a substantial transformation, think of how styles change and evolve. You don’t want to spend money preparing your home according to the most recent fad. Instead, focus on what creates timeless style. Then, preparing your home for the market will feel much easier and the process will be faster.

Are you redecorating your home to sell? That requires a different approach. Learn more in the posts below:

The Joy of New Traditional

If you love the fascinating Maximalist way of life but crave a little more order, a New Traditional theme can be the answer. Take all of the character pieces you want to display in your home. Next, add a sense of symmetry and structure, and you have the best of both worlds.

You can mix design pieces from any era (along with your personal additions) and combine it all into a modern look, with full use of colour and creativity. The main distinction is in having a focal point that draws the eye, such as a fireplace or a custom furniture piece. A few soft lines, such as you get with rounded picture frames or mirrors, will help to prevent a harsh or chaotic appearance.

When in doubt, keep the updates to what you can redo rather than on what you cannot easily change. Remember that a defined structure provides a theme, not a rigid set of rules. You can strive for a polished, sophisticated result, but that doesn’t mean you can’t colour outside the lines just a little!

Do you have questions about either buying or selling a Toronto home? Reach out to us at erica@ericareddy.com or call 416.443.0300, and we are happy to help you strategize your next move.