Straighten, Plump, Stack: How Details Focused Are You at Home?
Some people call you obsessive, but we know you're just focused on getting things right. Which of these sounds like you?
Susannah Hutchison
28 March 2018
Houzz Contributor
We all want our homes to look good – that’s why we’re reading Houzz, right? But everyone has their own individual quirks, from being unable to relax if a cushion isn’t plumped, to whiling away a peaceful 10 minutes lining up jars in a cupboard. See which of the habits below make it onto your house-proud hit list.
You aim for the boutique hotel look
Plumped pillow? Check. Matching propped cushions? Check. Crisp white bedlinen? Check? Neatly folded throw? Check. If you can’t leave the house in the morning before primping your room to perfection, you’re not alone. And it’s worth all that effort when you come home later to admire your own room service.
Plumped pillow? Check. Matching propped cushions? Check. Crisp white bedlinen? Check? Neatly folded throw? Check. If you can’t leave the house in the morning before primping your room to perfection, you’re not alone. And it’s worth all that effort when you come home later to admire your own room service.
You decant your food
There’s no denying there’s something weirdly satisfying about decanting dry goods into matching glass jars. Is it the idea of restoring chaos in a crazy world? Or, more likely, the fact that you can actually see what you’ve got, and that no, you don’t need another packet of penne? Either way, it makes for a lovely-looking shelf.
There’s no denying there’s something weirdly satisfying about decanting dry goods into matching glass jars. Is it the idea of restoring chaos in a crazy world? Or, more likely, the fact that you can actually see what you’ve got, and that no, you don’t need another packet of penne? Either way, it makes for a lovely-looking shelf.
You obsessively straighten pictures
A beautifully curated gallery wall looks lovely, but does a wonky angle send you on the warpath? If you find yourself constantly twitching at the edges of pictures to even them up, maybe hang them behind the bed, as seen here, so at least you won’t be distracted by a skew-whiff corner as you try to get to sleep.
Browse a selection of gallery walls
A beautifully curated gallery wall looks lovely, but does a wonky angle send you on the warpath? If you find yourself constantly twitching at the edges of pictures to even them up, maybe hang them behind the bed, as seen here, so at least you won’t be distracted by a skew-whiff corner as you try to get to sleep.
Browse a selection of gallery walls
You neatly stack coffee-table books
Some strategically placed chunky books add character to a space, and it goes without saying that having them out on display makes them all the easier to pick up and read – though woe betide anyone who leaves your sharp-edged stack in disarray…
Some strategically placed chunky books add character to a space, and it goes without saying that having them out on display makes them all the easier to pick up and read – though woe betide anyone who leaves your sharp-edged stack in disarray…
You match flowers with fabrics
In a blue-themed bedroom, a few lovely blue vases tie in nicely with the scheme. (In fact, anything straying from your carefully chosen and calming colour-card scheme just won’t do.) If you can then pop a few blue blooms (like the hyacinths here) into said vases, your work is done.
In a blue-themed bedroom, a few lovely blue vases tie in nicely with the scheme. (In fact, anything straying from your carefully chosen and calming colour-card scheme just won’t do.) If you can then pop a few blue blooms (like the hyacinths here) into said vases, your work is done.
You like a carefully executed angle
What’s this? A stray cushion placed at a jaunty angle? Do you love this juxtaposition, or is it making you break out in a cold sweat? If so, best move on to the next picture…
What’s this? A stray cushion placed at a jaunty angle? Do you love this juxtaposition, or is it making you break out in a cold sweat? If so, best move on to the next picture…
You’d rather play it straight
Is that better? For 50 per cent of you it probably will be. Order is restored with a smart line-up of matching cushions that even mirror the position of the pictures above.
An Interior Designer’s Guide to Arranging Cushions
Is that better? For 50 per cent of you it probably will be. Order is restored with a smart line-up of matching cushions that even mirror the position of the pictures above.
An Interior Designer’s Guide to Arranging Cushions
You splash out on toiletries
For a true spa-style bathroom,
two-for-one supermarket shampoo and conditioner bottles just aren’t going to cut it. Detail devotees will ensure a tasteful selection of luxury products are on show – even if the value shower gel that gets used every day is stashed out of sight in a basket below.
For a true spa-style bathroom,
two-for-one supermarket shampoo and conditioner bottles just aren’t going to cut it. Detail devotees will ensure a tasteful selection of luxury products are on show – even if the value shower gel that gets used every day is stashed out of sight in a basket below.
You like your duster out on display
Are you so house proud you’re even proud of your feather duster? Proving that no item is too humble for a styling opportunity, this luxurious collection of duster, pan and brush puts the bog-standard plastic variety to shame. And don’t think those matching rattan laundry baskets escaped notice, either.
Are you so house proud you’re even proud of your feather duster? Proving that no item is too humble for a styling opportunity, this luxurious collection of duster, pan and brush puts the bog-standard plastic variety to shame. And don’t think those matching rattan laundry baskets escaped notice, either.
You line up your tins
Yes, it’s behind a cupboard door that no one else can see, but you know it’s tidy, with all the fronts facing the same way, and that’s what counts. And hands up all those who’ve ever been tempted to buy a particular brand for how it will look on the shelf, rather than how it will actually taste? (Don’t worry, you’re in good company.)
40 Butler’s Pantries All Set to Serve Up a Treat
Yes, it’s behind a cupboard door that no one else can see, but you know it’s tidy, with all the fronts facing the same way, and that’s what counts. And hands up all those who’ve ever been tempted to buy a particular brand for how it will look on the shelf, rather than how it will actually taste? (Don’t worry, you’re in good company.)
40 Butler’s Pantries All Set to Serve Up a Treat
You fold and stack towels
Is it a neatly stacked row of freshly laundered towels that floats your boat? With overtones of a posh hotel mini-break, it’s easy to see the appeal, and adding in some hooks, as shown here, gives a welcome practical touch too (as it can be so annoying when guests or house members actually use pristine linens, ruining a beautifully ordered display).
Tell us
Do you indulge in any of these design details in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section. And don’t forget to like, share or save this story. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more beautiful homes for details you can steal
Is it a neatly stacked row of freshly laundered towels that floats your boat? With overtones of a posh hotel mini-break, it’s easy to see the appeal, and adding in some hooks, as shown here, gives a welcome practical touch too (as it can be so annoying when guests or house members actually use pristine linens, ruining a beautifully ordered display).
Tell us
Do you indulge in any of these design details in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section. And don’t forget to like, share or save this story. Join the conversation.
More
Browse more beautiful homes for details you can steal
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Clean and functional trumps spending my time on housework as though every day was a 'home staging' day, or I was paid to be a chamber maid! Ideally, function dictates form, so there should be less to deal with. And, as William Morris put it, keep nothing in your home unless you know it to be useful, or believe it to be beautiful. Words of wisdom I am still struggling to put into practice!
'keep nothing in your home unless you know it to be useful, or believe it to be beautiful'
So true this one, Deborah, and as I unpack boxes and ornaments, I am having yet another cull, applying this maxim.
deborah eade very true, I design storage my wife designs theatre sets - Staging vs practical is a running battle in our home!