You’ve put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into creating a beautiful designer-style home interior. Just looking at the results gives you a good feeling, but now that interior decor has to stand up to its greatest test: the rough-and tumble of daily life. Keep it gorgeous for longer with these handy hints and tips. 

1. Take Precautions Against Plumbing Mishaps

Running water is a wonderful thing – but not when it’s running through the ceiling and all over your stunning decor. Burst water pipes and water heater disasters can all-too easily turn your home into a flood zone causing untold damage to furniture, ceiling boards, and paint finishes. All in all, it’s best to avoid the nightmare altogether. In the first place, get expert advice on preventing burst pipes in your home. Even so, accidents can happen. If they do, it’s worth being aware that water damage restoration experts are out there. Call for help and see what can be saved or restored.

2. Protect Upholstery and Carpets From Mishaps

From careless kids to errant pets and those butterfingers moments when that glass of red wine slips through your fingers, it is possible to protect your carpets and upholstery from mishaps, thrills, and spills. Knowing that little accidents can be easily cleaned up will be a big stress-saver. When it comes to stain protection, Scotchguard is the big name that everyone knows and trusts – this is no sales pitch, but it has to be said. If you can find a good alternative, feel free! Either way, being able to relax and laugh off little slips that would otherwise cause costly damage is a plus that will make your and your family’s home life pleasanter.

3. Ensure that Wood Finishes Can’t Get Water Marks

If you feel the need to rush around with coasters before anyone rests a cup or glass on a wood surface, it’s time to think about protecting wood so that it can’t get unsightly water marks even when there’s an unnoticed spill. You don’t need to spoil that warm finish – it’s just a matter of finding the right product to repel moisture so that you and your guests can relax. There are plenty of options on the market. Enquire at your local hardware store, or look online to see what your options are.

4. Protect Walls From Scuffs and Scrapes

Presumably, you’ve taken the precaution of using high-quality wall-coatings that allow you to wash away the occasional grubby fingermark – but scuffs and scrapes are another matter. From bed headboards to doors that bang against walls when carelessly opened, it’s easy to spot the areas that are vulnerable. Protecting your interior wall finishes and maintaining those carefully chosen paint colors could be as easy as installing rubber stoppers in the right places. Look for possible problems areas and prevent damage before it can happen.

5. Invest In Sun Protection

Natural light is glorious, but the direct rays of the sun can fade fabrics and damage artworks faster than you might imagine. Keeping drapes closed spoils the feeling of airiness and freedom you get from having big windows that let the light shine in. Fortunately, there are many more ways to protect interiors against sun damage. These range from film coatings for windows to exterior awnings that let in the light but not the sunshine. While protecting your decor, they will also help to reduce your summer cooling bills. 

Do you need this kind of protection? Pay extra attention to South-facing windows (or, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, North-facing windows) and see whether the sun’s rays pose a risk to the longevity of your interior decor investment.

6. Maintain Leather

Light-colored leather makes a great style statement, but it can stain quite easily. Once again, your answer lies in choosing the right products. Look out for leather furniture waxes and conditioners that help leather to shrug off stains. It’s not just a matter of spills. The dye from denim or the natural oils of skin and hair resting against surfaces can create ugly, dark marks. Choosing darker coloured leather helps, but if you’ve gone for light shades, do keep your preventative maintenance schedule up.

7. Hello Kitty

Most of the time, cats don’t actually damage furniture – but if they take to claw-sharpening on the corner of your expensive couch, the harmony between you and your feline companion will be short-lived. Scratching posts offer an alternative, but cats don’t necessarily feel the need to think the way we do. There are ways to train cats not to scratch furniture, but while you’re working on it, you might want to consider unobtrusive couch corner protectors or thick throws to protect that upholstery.

Nothing Lasts Forever: When it’s Time to Freshen Up your Interior

You’ll know when it’s time to freshen up, but do check out ways to refresh or restore items that are starting to look a little tired. In many instances, it is possible to give good quality furnishings a new lease of life. Consider doing a few simple repairs even if you want a complete change. The resale value of your furniture will be much better if it isn’t looking too tired – and the proceeds can go towards your next decorating project.

SHOP HOME DECOR NEUTRALS….