Interior Designer Leanne Ford Shares Tips For a Cozy Home

There’s no place like home! It can be difficult to make your home feel warm and inviting. Leanne FordHere are her tips to make your house feel new and cozy without breaking the bank.

Editing is the first step to make a room feel fresh, according to HGTV star. “Look around your space — what can you get rid of? If it’s not serving a purpose or beautiful, ditch it,” Ford exclusively tells Us Weekly noting that it is important to be as “brutal” as possible while tidying. “Getting rid of visual clutter [can make a huge] difference. Everything must go!”

Photo Credit: Sarah Barlow 

The concept of decluttering and tossing things that don’t spark joy was made popular by Japanese organizing consultant and author Marie Kondo. For the items you do not want to say farewell to, Ford suggests corralling the knick-knacks that may contribute to your home’s disorganization.

Interior Designer Leanne Ford Shares Her Tips For Making Your Home Fresh and Cozy

Fords: Home Again
Photo credit: Erin Kelly

“We all have collections of things and stuff. The [secret] is to keep it all together,” the Fords restores itStar reveals. Ford suggests using vintage bowls as an entry table to hold keys and other small items. A spare shelf can be used for collectibles and mementos. “Let it all live closely together for visual effect. Bowls and baskets are your besties!”

If you want to change up your home, the TV personality insists you don’t need a big budget or fancy designer — you can do it all yourself! “Play with what you have,” urges Ford. “Rearrange furniture, move your art, look at your room differently and open your mind. Be open to possibilities. [have fun].”

Interior Designer Leanne Ford Shares Her Tips For Making Your Home Fresh and Cozy
Photo Credit: Sarah Barlow 

Ohio University graduate is released Feel FreeA brand new home and art magazine, ” is now available on newsstands. She explains how color choices can have a powerful impact in the latest issue.

“I show some amazing before and afters. You wouldn’t believe how fresh your space will feel with a new coat of paint,” says the TV host. “I even have a quiz in the magazine for you … to paint or not to paint your brick,” teases Ford. “It’s a polarizing subject, but let’s just say I never met a white brick wall I didn’t love.”

Ford’s advice is to be creative when searching for new decor ideas. The expert decorator advises staying “in neutral and tonal colors” if looking to make something chic.

“We are all creative. If you don’t want to hang your own work on your walls, then do some art with a friend and swap,” Ford suggests. “I use white a lot in my work because, quite frankly, it’s kind of an easy win. It always looks good.”