Giving your house a fresh new look doesn’t mean that you have to spend an entire week’s work — or paycheck — to get the job done. In fact, there are some very simple things you can do over the course of a day that are smart and economical enough to make your home feel new again.
Sure, you can pay for new siding, or repaint your house for a fresh look, but there are simpler ways to make your home feel like new again. Focus on a few small projects within your home — in the living room, bedrooms and bathrooms — and you will have a cool new look in no time. Here are a few projects to think about when you feel it’s time to give your home a facelift.
New Furnishings
Nothing can change the feel of your living areas and bedrooms as quickly and efficiently as new furniture. You can spend less than a day finding new styles that can really give the interior of your home a great new look.
For your living room, a new set of couches, such as a sectional, can dramatically change the way you and your family relax. You can utilize the space provided from a wall-hugging sectional to open up space, allowing you to perhaps find a new coffee table that you like. A well-chosen entertainment center can also help change the dynamic of the living room so you can showcase one of those new giant-screen televisions.
In the bedroom, you should look for dressers or wardrobes that hold enough belongings to make them useful, but don’t take up too much space so as not to feel cramped. As for the bed, you can switch up the style for a new look. If you have a traditional bed, maybe you should try a four-poster that adds a touch of elegance. Even purchasing a new headboard can make your bedroom feel like new, so shop around and see if you can find something you like.
Window Treatments
In the past, buying new window treatments really meant buying curtains. While bedroom curtains can certainly change the look of a room and are worth trying, there are other treatments that are available today as well.
If you want curtains, look for them in a pattern and color that compliments the paint of the room. There are also many different types of material — from canvas to silk — so there are plenty of options for you.
If curtains aren’t your thing, you can find blinds with different styles and options that are sure to fit your home decor. You can get wooden-slatted blinds made with real hardwoods for a traditional look, or you can opt for something more modern. Blackout screens are a minimalist way to block out excess light and can even be connected to a remote control for automatic raising and lowering.
Rugs
If you want a quick and easy way to spruce up any room, think about buying a new rug. This will give the room an entirely different feel and it will be cheaper than installing new carpet everywhere. A good rug can also provide an added bit of floor protection as well, defending against stains.
Area rugs should fit the size and feel of the room. This means that if you have a small bedroom, avoid buying an overly large rug that will take up most of the floor. Also, choose a color and pattern that doesn’t clash with the rest of the furnishings or paint. A good rug will stand out enough to notice it, but not enough to become a distraction.
New Lighting
Installing new light bulbs and new lighting fixtures is another quick project you can do in a day that will freshen up your decor.
There are a lot of different styles of light bulbs nowadays, from Edison lights to halogen to LED lights that can change colors. It may take some time for you to figure out which style you like, but it certainly shouldn’t take you very long to switch the bulbs out once you figure it out, and it will instantly create a new atmosphere in whichever rooms you choose to do so. There are hundreds of styles of fixtures as well — chandeliers, pendulums, pendants — so look for a type you like and go for it.
Simple tasks like these can save you time and money and give your home a fresh look.
