You be the Judge
Sometimes you really can judge a book by its cover — especially when it comes to your home’s décor.
How you decorate your home — from the colors on the walls to the style of the sofa — can reveal a lot about your personality, according to Lisa LaPorte, one of HGTV’s most popular designers.
“You can tell a lot just by what items a person has in the home and the way they are laid out,” she said.
Homes that are set up for entertaining are for people who are very social, said LaPorte, who has been featured on “Designing for the Sexes,” “Designer’s Challenge,” “Designed to Sell” and “Bang for Your Buck.” People who don’t entertain use their spaces differently.
“Whether you embrace antiques or have lots of collections versus a clean, stark minimal environment, your mentality goes hand and hand with the look of your home.
“It’s the same with clutter, unfortunately. Someone with a cluttered home might have a cluttered life. With clutter there is chaos, but that’s not to say that all those with cluttered homes have chaotic lives,” she said.
“You can be sure that friends and family will get an impression of you by what your house looks like. When they enter your home, they will definitely be judging you.”
Men and women also look at decorating differently, she said. “Men usually decorate more on where the television is.”
And if you’re trying to attract a member of the opposite sex, LaPorte said you need to consider the message your home’s décor is sending out.
A recent survey by Kilz, a manufacturer of paints and primers, revealed that 63 percent of women consider home décor a key indicator of a man’s personality and maturity level, and 39 percent are turned off by posters and sports memorabilia. Of the men surveyed, 62 percent say a woman’s home décor is a key indicator of her personality and maturity level, and 66 percent prefer neutral walls to bolds.
Something very pink and flowery is too feminine while a room with a big-screen TV and large black recliner is too masculine. LaPorte suggests taking a gender neutral approach that helps people feel more comfortable in the environment.
“Color is a real indicator of personality. There have been a lot of studies done about color and the science of color — and not everyone buys into it,” she said.
The studies, however, reveal that those who are extroverted and outgoing prefer bolder, hotter colors and deeper colors such as red, orange and yellow, while those who are introverted and introspective prefer cooler colors such as soft grays and blues.
Color also can help set the tone of a room, said Ron Manwaring of Blinds Chalet, which offers an array of window coverings in a rainbow of colors.
“Finding the right color for a window treatment not only expresses individual taste, but can make a space an experience instead of just a room,” Manwaring said.
According to Manwaring, green and blue soothe and calm people, yellow helps increase concentration, red increases heart rate and breathing and draws attention, white gives an airy feeling to small spaces and helps break up darker rooms, and brown gives a room a neutral and natural feel.
LaPorte said another reason color is so important in interior decorating is because paint is one of the quickest and least expensive ways to change a room’s feel.
“In terms of the impression you’re giving, recognize that clutter and paint colors will be judged. But, you also have to do what you like. Paint is cheap so don’t be afraid. The good news is that with paint it’s an easy fix if you don’t like the color.”
When painting, she said it’s important to use a primer, which allows a truer color and makes it easier to change the color.
“I don’t ever remember a time where people where more interested in their homes, home décor, color and decoration,” LaPorte said. “It’s something everyone can relate to. Rich or poor. Man or woman.”
She believes the economy is playing a role in the peak of home decorating and remodeling projects.
“Because of the economy people are rethinking how they are spending their money. They are choosing their investments carefully and spending it where they may have a return.”
This has spurred a big interest in home projects, especially those that are quick and easy to do. That, said LaPorte, usually involves painting and selecting a color.
