Are you itching to give your home a fresh new look but dread the thought of messy demolition and major renovations? Fear not! You don’t need to knock down walls or rip out cabinets to breathe new life into your space. With a little creativity and some simple updates, you can transform your home without the hassle of demolition. Here are 10 easy ways to refresh your home and infuse it with personality.
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Update Your Lighting
Did you realize you don’t have to keep your lighting for years and years and years? Even if it is something you picked a few years ago. A great place to start is by updating your lighting fixtures. Swap out outdated fixtures for modern, statement-making pieces that illuminate your space in style. From sleek pendant lights to show stopping chandeliers, lighting can instantly elevate the ambiance of any room. You can add additional can lights or change a can light into a pendant light. I would change all my lighting every couple of years if it wasn’t so expensive and didn’t require an electrician or agreeable spouse. Thankfully I have an agreeable husband but wouldn’t change a light if I didn’t ask or surprise him with new lights.
Changing your lighting gives your room a new look and feel. Don’t be afraid to change lighting you no longer love or doesn’t fit your style. Our styles and likes evolve, don’t feel bad when something you one time loved is no longer doing it for you. I have changed our island pendant lights 3 times in 8 years. I keep reminding myself it’s cheaper than moving.
Here are a the pendants, chandelier, and vanity light that I’ve recently added in our home.
Hardware Makeover
Give your kitchen and bathroom cabinets a facelift by replacing old hardware with trendy knobs and pulls. Change from brushed nickel to brass or black, or go for a different shape and designs to add personality to your space.
I was raised to think things should last forever. Which I believe to be partially true. Yes high ticket items need to last more than a couple years but it is ok to want a change even if it is something you chose a few years ago. Hardware is a fun and fairly inexpensive way to make an update in your home. If you’re wanting a change in your kitchen or bathroom think about changing the hardware.
Purchase pulls with the same hole center so you don’t need to fill in and redrill holes. Making it a quick, easy and effective change. You don’t have to wait for something to wear out before you make a change. Changing the hardware is a simple and effective way to spruce up a room.
Accent Walls
Who says you need to paint the entire room to make a statement? Create a focal point by painting or wallpapering one wall in a bold color or eye-catching pattern. An accent wall adds depth, texture and visual interest to any room without overwhelming the space.
Creating an accent wall with shiplap, board and batten, wall paper, painting techniques or rustic wood. The options are endless. Yes, it requires a little more work than changing out hardware but it is not as expensive or time consuming as knocking down a wall. You will love the new look of a room with an accent wall update. Here are just a few we’ve done in our home. You can see the details here and here.
Change Out Textiles
Swap out old throw pillows for vibrant patterns and textures. Invest in a cozy area rug to anchor your space, or add drapes to your windows.
It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, there are high end options but if you’re anything like me you like change. I’m pretty sure I would get tired of an area rug even if I’d spent thousands of dollars on it. My perfect find is pretty and budget conscious. That way I can make a change, donate or sell something I’m no longer loving without feeling guilty.
Changing you throw pillow covers is a great place to start. Not only is it a quick, easy and inexpensive update you can easily store the covers because they don’t take up much space in your closet. The options are endless. Don’t tell anyone, I may change my pillow covers a couple of times a years. These ones and theses ones are really cute.
Create a Gallery Wall
Showcase your personality and style with a gallery wall filled with art, photographs, and meaningful mementos. Mix and match frames in different sizes and finishes for an eclectic look that tells your unique story. For a modern look use coordinating frames in the same color.
A gallery wall adds personality to your home. Something unique for you and your family. There are a plethora of ways to create a beautiful gallery wall. It can be filled with family pictures or pictures from your travels. Anything that makes you smile. Before hanging cut butcher or wrapping paper in the size of your frames. Tape the paper on the wall, moving it around until you get the design and spacing you love. Make sure your gallery display is large enough for your wall. If you have a large wall use large frames.
Add Some Greenery
Bring the outdoors in with greenery and vibrant plants. Plants add color and texture to your space, but they also purify the air and create a sense of calm and tranquility.
If you don’t have a green thumb like me you can use faux plants. They won’t purify the air but they will add color and texture to your space. A beautiful addition to any room. I’ve been trying to grow a snake plant for a year. After two failed attempts I think it’s time to invest in a faux plant. I am loving this snake plant and this ficus tree.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Maximize natural light and create the illusion of space with strategically placed mirrors. Whether hung above a mantel or leaned against a wall, mirrors can instantly brighten and visually expand any room. Mirrors can be so expensive but they don’t have to be. Take your time, look around until you find something that fits your budget and style.
If you have builder grade mirrors in your bathroom don’t be afraid to change them. If they’re stuck to the wall you might night to sand and repaint before you add new ones but so worth it. Yes it is a little work but way less work than gutting a bathroom. The round mirror hangs in my entryway, I’m loving the floor length mirror and the arched vanity mirrors were a huge update after removing the builder grade mirror.
Statement Furniture
Make a bold statement with furniture pieces that reflect your personal style. Whether it’s a velvet sofa in a rich jewel tone or a sculptural coffee table that doubles as a conversation starter, investing in standout furniture can instantly elevate the look of your home.
Maybe you need to do a furniture makeover. Not every home needs a jewel tone velvet sofa. Maybe it’s a smaller chair or a good quality piece that needs a facelift. If you love DIY furniture projects look around your home and see if there is a piece that could use an update.
If it is something you want to try start small. Your confidence and skills will grow as you do more and more projects. Here are a few of the pieces I’ve done the past few months. Nightstands and dressers can easily be finished over a weekend, the bigger projects like dining sets or a hutch will take more time. When I did mine I carved out a week to ten days per set. I wasn’t working on them all day every day, you have to factor in drying time between coats of paint of stain finishes. When I carve out a week it means I’m home without a lot of other tasks going on so I can have those furniture projects as my main focus. You can use my free project planner, it will help with your shopping list and organize your steps to get the results you’re after. It will guide you through assessing what you have on hand and what supplies you need to pick up.
Organizational Solutions
Declutter and organize your space with stylish storage solutions. Invest in decorative baskets, bins, and boxes to corral clutter and keep your home looking neat and tidy. Did you know organization saves you time and money? There is power in organization, this blog post will tell you how.
My space feels fresh and new after a day of organizing. If you aren’t a natural organizer start small, one space and step at a time. A cleaned out space results in a clear mind. A closet stuffed full of things feels heavy in your mind and body. See what you can declutter in 10 minutes or find 10 items to throw in the trash. Don’t get overwhelmed, do a little. With each step you’ll find the momentum to do a little more plus you’ll feel lighter.
Last night I opened my kitchen junk drawer. Yes has bins for items so it wasn’t a complete disaster but there was a lot of stuff in there. I pulled out 2 cords that I have no clue what they belong to. I put them where they belong, pulled out some garbage and returned a few items to their proper place. All in 5 minutes. Organization is not a one and done but it helps you keep things in order without spending a lot of time.
Finishing Touches
Finally, add the finishing touches that tie your space together. From decorative accessories like candles and vases to unique artwork and sculptural accents, it’s the little details that make a big impact and truly make your house feel like home.
There is magic in the glow of a candle and hand soaps that smell amazing. They can take you to the beach, peach picking in Georgia or memories of Christmas. Add fresh flowers from a loved one or even better from yourself because you deserve them. Beautiful touches that show love for yourself and loved ones.
