Five tips for styling a joyful home with Micaela Sharp

I am a firm believer in surrounding yourself with as much joy as possible, in the hope we can live well in everything we do. Whether it’s using your favourite handmade ceramic mug for your morning coffee, snuggling under a soft blanket for a movie night or even just the colourful glass you keep your toothbrush in, these items that we use daily play a big part in our lives. Let’s embrace colour, texture and pattern wherever we can to make sure our homes reflect our unique tastes and stories.

Part of living joyfully also involves considering sustainability at the start of the shopping process. How items are made, whether they are built to last and how we use them will help us be the custodians of these items for years to come. Visit OB's Homeware Care & Repair Hub for tips on ways to care for your homeware items.

Here, I share my top tips for bringing more joy into your home and choosing wisely when adding items into your world.

1. Softly does it

As an upholsterer and interior designer, I am always drawn to soft furnishings and love finding new ways to include them in my home and designs. Textiles add much more than soft textures, they are a great place to inject patterns as well. Versatile items like a reversible rug can be moved around from room to room and used on either side. I love this multicoloured patchwork throw that can be used on a bed, sofa or even as a luxury picnic blanket. And don’t forget to add colour and soft textures to the bathroom too. This floral scalloped bathmat is simply divine!

Patchwork Velvet Bedspread

Reversible Wool Rug

Floral Bath Mat

2. Shape and texture

With furniture, it's important to continue to add interesting shapes, textures and colours. The Tress armchair is a great option for a neutral fabric that packs a punch with its chunky boucle texture and bold shape. Its size allows it to work well in a living room, office or bedroom: you can keep moving it around as you need. The Bobbin collection is an easy way to add colour and a subtle, more traditional shape to mirrors, shelving and tables.

Bobbin Blue Mirror

Bobbin Desk & Table Lamp

Tress Boucle Chair

3. Lighting is key

When creating a cosy ambience in the evening, we all know to avoid overhead spots and opt for targeted lighting instead, such as floor lamps or table lamps. The Ottone lamp will add a beautiful gold, metallic element to any space and has a timeless shape. Lighting is also an opportunity to add colour and texture. This Green Glass Lamp has both colour in the shade and pattern in the base, adding to your room in the daytime before it’s needed at night.

4. Mindful homeware

Instead of plastic containers, opt for long-lasting and planet-friendly ceramics and glass. A stylish swirl glass can be used for toothbrushes, makeup brushes or even as a tiny vase. Decanting reusable cotton pads, ear buds or muslin cloths into glass trinket pots can add a luxurious hotel feel to your day that can turn self-care into more of an event and help you to slow down. I find these tiny moments can be a chance for me to focus a little more on my skincare routine and be mindful of the natural products and sustainable materials I’m using.

5. Dive into detail

Why have plain when you can have something with beautiful detailing? Lighting a candle can feel more elevated with a thoughtfully designed candleholder.