When you first moved out and into your own place, it was probably in your 20s, when cheap thrills and trend-led accessories were top of your interiors wish list, over more boring essentials like decent couches or chef's knives. Cut to your 30s, and things seem to start to fall into place when it comes to your home. You know where you want to live and you've a much better idea of what your home decor style really is.
While we wouldn't condemn all the things you bought in your 20s to the bin, there are certain things (at least the below nine!) that every grown-up household should have. Use this as a checklist to evaluate how mature your home is, and what you've got left still to update.
1. A solid mattress
Most mattresses have a lifespan of about 10-12 years, so probably whatever mattress you lugged from home to home in your 20s can go in the bin. Your back isn't getting any younger, so now is the time in invest in the mattress of your dreams. Choosing one that is breathable will help you have a good night's sleep as it keeps your body temperature regulated throughout the night.
2. Proper kitchen essentials
If you're not an experienced cook, you'll be surprised at how much difference to your cooking some proper tools can make. Bin that starter knife set in favour of a really good chef's knife. A cast iron skillet is never a bad investment, and choosing a kettle you love the design of is worth the extra euros you'll spend on it - after all, it's one of the appliances which typically is always on display, you don't want it cramping your home decor style.
3. Finished floors
Floors are often overlooked as you move from rental to rental but as you hopefully settle into a home of your very own, they actually become very important. You can't typically do much about the floors when you're renting, but once you can, remember the floors ground the vibe of your home. Even if you can't afford to replace all your flooring, you can stain, refinish, or even paint hardwood floors to bring them to life, or consider wall-to-wall carpeting to cover surfaces that aren’t working for you. For the kitchen and bathroom, don't rule out peel-and-stick tile solutions. Don't let your flooring bring down your decor scheme!
4. Seasonal bedding
It might be different if you live in the year-round sun, but here in Ireland, you need bedding that reflects the dramatically changing seasons. This is one that feels very grown up - your mam always had summer and winter duvets, meanwhile you were sleeping under two duvets in college to save on heating bills. But investing in sets of winter and summer linens and duvets will help you sleep more soundly as the weather changes.
5. A rug
Rugs provide a room with warmth and style, and dictates the layout of furniture in a space. Choosing the correct size is essential, of course, if you're hoping a rug will elevate the room, but also carefully consider the rug's hue and texture, as they anchor the furniture in the room. Many designers build a room from the rug up - buying the rug first - so bare that in mind when you try to add a rug to a room.
6. Plants, plants, plants
Most people in their 20s do try their hand with plants, and many have probably lost their lives in the experimentation process. But grown-up homes not only have healthy, well-watered plants, but there's a variety of plants, flowers and branches around the house, in an intentional, planned way. Especially with trends as they are right now, there's no excuse to skip on the greens, whether it's fresh flowers, a nice fern, an indoor herb garden or a series of succulents. Get your green on.
7. More than a few cushions
Cushions and other decorative soft furnishings can run anywhere from cheap as chips to super luxe on the price scale, and your home probably wasn't devoid of the former kind in your 20s. Often they don't even seem essential, but gorgeous decorative cushions and throws can transform a space from a room with furniture to an actual lived-in home. Inject personality and style, bring in accent colours and change up the texture, but whichever you choose, don't forget them!
8. Some proper lighting
It takes time to put together a considered lighting plan, but lighting can totally transform a room. Spread the light sources around the room, make sure you include some sources of ambient light, and generally put some thought behind your home's lighting - and not just what kind of shade you need in the middle of the ceiling.
9. Mirrors
We all know mirrors do all sorts of wonders for making a space seem bigger, but you need a 'mirror strategy' of sorts if you really want it to work. Unless you've placed the mirrors in the right places around your home, you haven't a hope. To get the most out of them, place your mirrors opposite any aspect of nature - outdoors seen through windows, indoor plants, you name it - or in a dark space, like at the end of a long hallway. In general, a large mirror positioned obliquely to the entrance of a room will create the illusion of more space.
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