We all need to freshen up and update our homes from time to time. The styles and color combinations we once used when we first bought our home were probably very nice for the time. But styles change, things go out of date, and an upgrade is required after a time.
This doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money. Use the key items you own and mix in some different ideas. Before you know it, you will be relaxing in a home that feels like home, only better.
Contents
An Empty Room
Take the furniture out of the room you are updating. Sometimes we become accustomed to the furniture being in a certain position. That is fine, but then we slowly add things to the room until every nook and cranny is filled and the room looks small and cluttered.
By removing everything from the room, you can see how much space you have. Rearrange the room for a better fit, get rid of any dust collectors, move the quiet portable air conditioner, and you are good to go.
Mix Patterns
Mixing patterns used to be a big “no”. This is no longer the case. Adding some striped cushions to a floral sofa is interesting and draws the eye’s attention. Mix in check, paisley, stripes, solids, and bolder flowers. Just remember, these are your accent pieces. Don’t go overboard.
A “Wow!” Portrait
The trend of decorating your home with family photos is back. Hall groupings and portraits in lovely brass frames are very popular. To give your home an old yet new style, consider having a portrait of your family painted and hanging it over your fireplace.
The time of sitting for an oil painting is over though. But, you can still get the painting of your dreams. Check out Instapainting. This company can paint a portrait from a photo you email them in oil, watercolors, chalk, or pencil. This makes for the perfect painting for the new look of your home.
Brass is Back!
Brass faucets, drawer pulls, wall groupings for the kitchen and photo frames in polished brass will give every room an exciting new look. Don’t forget to put out some brass items on tables. Think candle holders, trinket dishes, ashtrays, etc.
Have You Ever Visited a Rainforest?
Nothing brings more wonder than entering a room and being amazed by the unexpected. Use plants of various textures, sizes, and shapes to give your home some much needed greenery. Use climbing vines and small trees to bring them all together. Even if you live in a small space, you can add a few plants that will lift the mood. Check out my post on plants that keep flies away.
Mix Old and New
There are always things that we own that mean something special to us. It can be a throw that your grandma made, a coffee table that you made in shop class, or a flower arrangement made from your bridal bouquet. Do not get rid of these old favorites. These are the things memories are made of. Instead, buy new items to accent the items you have. A dated piece will always mean more and thus lift the style more because of the value it brings to the table (pun intended).
Fresh Linens
Instead of remodeling your entire bedroom, give it a new look with fresh linen. Go with teal, coral, or grey and accent with white. If your pillows are not plush, replace them. Overstuffed pillows, and some thick and lush bedding will give your room a new and cozy feeling. Experiment with the bedding, and as you already often swap it out, it is the ideal vehicle for trying out different styles.
Use Every Space
Do you have corners, shelves, ledges in your home that you have trouble filling? Get creative and try to fill every unsuitably empty nook. Have a fold-down chair built in. You can have a fold-down table next to it if there is space. If you have an open area, add a Murphy bed. Disperse books, trinkets and plants where you can.
Mirrors
Every room can be made to look bigger by adding mirrors (check out my post on how to make a small room look bigger). Try to place them directly across from a natural light source. They add a new dimension and the room will look larger. They will also add more light and make it feel more airy and less cramped.
Update Your Kitchen
You can do this the easy way, just to give your kitchen some extra glam. Change your cabinet doors, countertops, and kitchen floors. Swap out the hardware.
These things are not overly expensive, and are also fun to do. You can easily achieve a new look and it will still feel comfortable and homey. Add to your home’s resale value and fall in love with it all over again. There is no better time to get started than right now.
And don’t forget about the exterior. You might want to read my post on the characteristics of architecture as well.
Ashley is an award-winning writer who discovered her passion in providing creative solutions for building brands online. Since her first high school award in Creative Writing, she continues to deliver awesome content through various niches.
