There are literally hundreds of ways to dress up your home no matter your budget. Home is not only where the heart is, it’s also one of the only places where you are when you get the chance to relax and rewind, so make it somewhere you want to be. Customize each space to your needs. Then, once you’re done, take a deep breath and a load off while you appreciate the change.
1. A New Color, A New Room
Tired of the same old white, cream or ecru walls? A touch of color can transform any plain room into a place that you and your family can enjoy. Whether it’s just an accent wall or you decide to paint the whole room, color is better than bland, not to mention easier and often cheaper than brand new furniture.
2. Create a Focal Point
Whether it’s a piece of art on the walls or a super comfy couch, have something in the room stand out. Try adding extra pillows with different designs to that comfy couch or forgoing art altogether for memories by taking your cluttered picture frames that sit on a table, desk or dusty shelf and hanging them together in one space. This will create something to draw the eye in before the person. Remember, interest and comfort are key.
3. Give Your Favorite Chair a Face lift
The first step is to take pictures of the piece you are going to tackle. See how it is put together before you take it apart. Use the old fabric to get measurements for the new cloth you are going to use to upholster the chair. Speaking of cloth, you may naturally gravitate towards the thicker variety in hopes that it will last longer, but more often than not, a medium-density fabric will do the trick and last longer than you thought.
4. Create Openness in a Small Space
Just by rearranging your furniture to occupy the space along the walls of a room as opposed to the middle, using light or light colors can open up any small space in your house and give it a more spacious and home-y feel. Don’t pay a designer to do this for you when all it takes is a little elbow grease and a few hours to find the feel that fits you.
5. Tired of a Cluttered Dresser?
It’s easy to fix with household items that are already around your house. Try taking bowls or even deep candle holders to separate change and jewelry. You can make space and add style to your dresser in an instant. Not to mention, it’ll be easier to find that extra quarter when you need it.
6. Love Isn’t Blinds
Forgo the traditional route for keeping your rooms shaded and private; long curtains create an illusion of height in a room, which in turn makes the room feel like a larger space.
7. Don’t Toss It, Rejuvenate It!
Lots of old things can be made to look brand new and even modern by just a few quick coats of spray paint. To start, be sure the item is clean and sand down any rough edges. Once that’s been done, you can spray paint to your content. Be it one coat or different colors, it will be the new you need with the old you love.
8. Cabinets, Counter Tops and Lighting, Oh My!
Something as simple as new hardware or painting your cabinets can give your kitchen a whole new feel. If you can’t paint the cabinets, try painting the kitchen walls. It’s amazing the difference colorful walls will make instantly to your home.
You don’t always need a design team or an architect to create new wonders in your home, with a little time and creativity, and these do-it-yourself tips, you can do whatever you put your mind to and really make your house a home.
Article by Meagan Murphy
