Out with the old, and in with the new! Bring good luck into your pad and impress your guests with these new decor items to refresh the look of your home
There’s so much to love about Chinese New Year. There’s the clothes (we’re traditionalists, and love a good cheongsam!), food, catching up with relatives, and of course, an excuse for us to update our homes! Here’s a quick guide to items you can replace to refresh the look of your home, and wow your guests.
Swap frames
Whether you collect bespoke art or traditional Chinese paintings, a great way to refresh your wall art is by swapping their frames. Say you’ve got a basic wooden one lining its edges now, (or no frames at all!). Replacing or adding gold frames lends a touch of luxury to your decor and will have your traditional art looking a tad more modern. Plus gold is always a good idea for Chinese New Year, as it represents wealth.
Buy: IKEA or Bungalow 55
Replace your coffee table
Your coffee table is one of the first things your guests will see, so make it count! Style it to the nines with trays filled with Chinese New Year goodies, or flowers. We’ve got you covered with this guide to side tables; it features everything from geometric tables, to show-stopping stools made of hand-carved bone pieces. Look for round, and not square or rectangular ones, as sharp corners are believed to cut away your wealth.
Buy: Originals Furniture, Fortytwo, Hom Lab
Replace your jars and crockery
With all that money you splash out on Chinese New Year cookies every year, they deserve an enticing jar that guests won’t be able to keep their hands out of. Instead of the plastic red lidded jars they come with, or the multi-compartment ones, pop them in an exquisite ceramic jar (with matching plates) or on a three tier cake stand to incite oohs and aahs from everyone.
Buy: Pip Studio and Palais Royal via TANGS
Add accents of red
If you’re one, not one for traditions and two, fearful of colour and found yourself cringing picturing bright red lanterns and wall decor, you don’t have to go that far. You still can decorate with red, but in subtle accents. Think printed cushions (or with a red pom pom trim), lamps, or a Persian rug with red borders.
Buy: Cushions from Tatty Marsh, Lamps from Lightcraft, Rugs from Departures and Arrivals
Bed linen
Changing your sheets is crucial when it comes to doing your spring cleaning but they also can do wonders in lifting your mood to get you ready for the new year. Whether you like your sheets plain and plush, or tropical printed, this guide to bedsheets have got it all.
Buy: Sojao, Linen House and Woot Woot
Statement chair
If you’re really looking to impress your snobby relatives, bring in the big guns by adding statement pieces to your living space. Make a chair your accent piece – bohemian homes would do well with Peacock or other rattan chairs, while luxe abodes do well with steel ones. Just stay clear of ones with mirrored surfaces to abide by a superstition that reflective surfaces can attract paranormal guests.
Buy: Taylor B, Originals Furniture and Space Furniture
Replace your florals and plants
We have a fondness for silk flowers, especially ones that come in white and large bouquets. But steer clear of this for Chinese New Year if you have a family of traditionalists, as white flowers are typically used at funerals. Instead, think about incorporating pink peonies, peach blossoms, pussy willows and red orchids.
Buy: Silk Flowers Singapore and Far East Flora
Like this story? Here’s more we think you’ll enjoy:
Bring in good luck with these Feng Shui tips
Here’s where to shop cheongsams
You still need a statement chair