When life gets busy, we tend to neglect the living space around us. The first step in getting your home back into a shape that you are proud of is to create a plan. Your plan should begin with what some refer to as “the purge stage”; this is where you’ll go through things like clothes, furniture, decor, etc. and get rid of things that no longer bring you joy. After you purge, slowly begin tackling these projects to transform your home into a place that relaxes you and makes you happy to be in.
Replace or Restore Flooring
Get rid of the old carpet you’ve been wishing was gone for years. Your replacement options include investing in quality hardwood flooring or choosing laminate as the cheaper alternative. Laminate floor options are very popular and will give you that hardwood look and feel, without breaking the bank. Other than the significant price difference, laminate floors are highly favored due to the fact that they won’t tarnish from moisture. This makes them a great choice for any room.
Restoring an old hardwood floor is done in three steps: sanding, restaining, and sealing. A lot of older homes can have beautiful hardwood floors that have been hiding underneath carpet for years; with a little TLC, those floors can look good as new, and oftentimes it’s easy enough to do yourself!
Paint Can Make a Huge Difference
Painting is such an easy fix, whether you need to brighten up your space or get rid of those funky colors, you can make that change on your own with the right can of paint. Choosing light/neutral colors for your walls is becoming very popular, and a great tip to keep in mind if you’re planning on selling in the future. Neutral and lighter colors are often favored because they can open up your home and make small rooms feel larger and brighter than before. For those who already have followed this trend, another simple way to elevate any room is to give those baseboards and walls a fresh coat of paint. You may not notice, but over time our walls endure lots of dings and scuffs; a quick swipe of paint can have your home looking bright and new.
Update Fixtures & Appliances
Changing out old light fixtures for something new and modern is a simple update that can go a long way. Choose something that will provide enough light but also fits your design style. When in doubt, a fixture that matches the hardware on your cabinets and doors is a safe bet. Whether that be matt black, gold, or silver, it will tie the space together especially in a room that consumes a lot of traffic.
Your hardware is also a change you can make yourself and it doesn’t cost much. Two popular finishes are matt black and gold, so consider upgrading your kitchen cabinets and even your faucet for a more uniform look. If you want to take it the extra mile, upgrade the door handles on your interior doors to match, giving your home a more “put together” feel.
When it comes to the bathroom, there are two main focal points: your shower/bathtub and your vanity. Sprucing up your shower with new tile or a new glass door can transform the room without much effort. Choose a neutral tile for the walls and floors, then include a pop of color in one area if that’s your style. A larger tile for the walls and a smaller, more intricate one for the floor will really catch the eye, creating a designer look. Next, you can update your vanity a few different ways. Saving money and going with a bold paint color will tie the entire room together. Or, if you’re ready for a more permanent fix, purchase a new bathroom vanity to create a new and improved design in your existing space. Paint can be a quick and easy fix, but buying new will elevate your space entirely and give you the option to increase or decrease the current size and style you have. Either way, your bathroom will get the refresh it needs.
Give Your Furniture a Refresh
Furniture is expensive and intimidating. A good rule to follow is investing in that one or two staple pieces that you will enjoy for years to come and refurbishing or thrifting for the rest. If you’re the crafty-type, you can find some treasures on Facebook Marketplace and even in your local neighborhoods. You will get some great deals and with a fresh coat of stain, paint, or reupholstering, your secondhand finds will be good as new. A sustainable option, if you choose that route, is to thrift. You can often find pieces that are better quality than something that’s brand new! Old pieces tend to be made very well and have a lot of character that they will add to a space and be uniquely yours.
Revamp Your Decor
Decor is the thing that ties everything in a room together and displays the overall style of your home. If you’ve previously replaced old carpet with hardwood or laminate floor, your house can feel less cozy, and also have an echo. Add rugs everywhere: the bedrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room, etc. Play around with different rug shapes; runners are long and narrow rugs and are great for hallways and kitchens. Use a mix of oval, rectangular, and square rugs in the rest of your space to give your home some character. When choosing a rug for your common spaces a good rule to follow is to make sure every piece of furniture has at least it’s front two feet on the rug. If you choose a rug that’s too small it will look out of place, floating in the middle of the room.
Bringing plants into your home is the perfect way to add pops of color and make your space feel warm and welcoming. If you’re someone with a green thumb, you’ve already got a head start, as you probably have plants in the home. For someone who isn’t the most nurturing of plants, faux plants are perfect because they still give you the benefit of having greenery without the chore of making sure each plant gets proper amounts of water and sunlight. If you want to take it one step further, add real dirt to the pots of your faux plants to give them even more of an authentic look.
Add texture to your design with throw pillows, blankets, curtains, and new bedding in every room. Throw pillows and blankets are always an easy way to refresh your space season to season and year to year. Using different colors and textures to keep your design new will keep you from getting bored with any room in your home. As for curtains, hang them as high above the window as possible to elongate your space and utilize new window treatments as both a design feature, and a way for privacy in your home. Black-out curtains are a good investment for your bedroom and especially for your kids rooms, as they keep the room nice and dark while you sleep. Pick out new bedding that is comfortable and stylish. If needed, choose a neutral color; it may last longer due to the freedom of changing your design around it.
Fill your walls with artwork. You can invest in quality pieces, do-it-yourself, and get your kids involved to keep a good mix throughout the home. Artwork is the perfect way to fill empty wall space and even something as simple as framing photographs of your loved ones can be the perfect touch to making your home uniquely yours.
Create a “Homey” Atmosphere
The smell of your home is likely the first thing people will notice when they walk in the door and is something your nose will become blind to. Use things like essential oils, wall plug-ins, and candles to keep your home smelling fresh and inviting. One thing about scent that a lot of people don’t consider is the way it can affect your mood. Various essential oils, in particular, can impact the way you feel in a very natural way. Oils including pine, fir, lemon, and grapefruit can all create a very natural scent and they even go together when mixed. Ones with calming properties include lavender, chamomile, bergamot, and jasmine. Oils that can give you energy include lemon, basil, rosemary, and eucalyptus. If you are new to essential oils it can be overwhelming, so keep it simple and test out just a few and see how they work in your home before investing in others.
Don’t forget to set a plan! This may seem like a lot to tackle at once, and that’s because it is. Set goals for yourself on how many, and which projects you want to complete each month. Then, one-by-one your home will be transformed into a space that is new, fresh, and inviting.
