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Jazz up your living room this new year with simple items like a tray table, cushions and curtains in various colours. Photos: Ikea
With the Ox galloping in soon to welcome the Lunar New Year, it is the norm to spring clean, decorate our homes and lay out our best tableware.
Although the pandemic will likely mean a toned-down celebration this year, there are still ways to maintain a festive mood.
Swedish home furnishing giant Ikea shares five simple, yet refreshing ways to add a prosperous touch to your home for an auspicious start to the new year.
Festive items from the new SOLGLIMTAR collection, which is based on traditional Chinese imagery.
Remove “negative energy”
To welcome good fortune into your life, start by getting rid of “negative energy”. Remove unused or unwanted items and arrange the rest in dedicated places using the right storage and organising solutions.
For example, a wall cabinet is great to tuck away items you do not use on a day-to-day basis, while doubling as an attractive display. Customise your shelving units by adding a selection of doors, baskets and dividers to make more room for your things.
Out with the old, in with the new
When decorating your home, the living room is where you focus the most attention on. Jazz it up this new year with simple items like a tray table, cushions and curtains in the colours of your choice. Decorative vases are also great to add that pop of colour.
Traditional decorations and modern tableware add an air of festivity to the dining experience.
Feasting in style
A highlight of Chinese New Year is the reunion dinner. Ensure a smooth meal preparation process by getting the necessary kitchen utensils and cooking ware. Then, create the perfect dining experience by setting up tableware, from serving bowls to cutlery.
Bonding activities
Decking your house up for the New Year is a fun time for the whole family, and great for bonding. Putting up decorative items, making simple origami out of ang pow packets, hanging up lanterns or drawing your very own couplets all spark happiness and welcome good fortune. Take the time to engage in fun games with your kids to encourage them to learn more about Chinese culture too.
Door decorations from the SOLGLIMTAR collection.
Gift of giving
It’s always better to give than to receive. This year, even if we may not be able to meet all our family members and friends, we can still send them a little love. This can be in the form of traditional mandarin oranges, BBQ chicken dried meat or a variety of cookies. It’s a simple way to send wishes of good health and prosperity in the Year of the Ox.
