A new year is always a great time for fresh starts and an opportunity to give your home a refresh without spending a lot of money, time, or effort. Here are some very quick and easy ways to give your home a budget-friendly makeover and help you fall in love with it again!
1. New Bedding & Accent Pillows
Never underestimate the power of new bedding! New bedding and accent pillows can completely transform the look and feel of a bedroom. They can add colour, texture, and pattern to a space, making it feel cozy and inviting. You can instantly refresh the room by swapping out old bedding for new linens in a fresh pattern or colour. Accent pillows can also be used to add a pop of colour or texture to a neutral bedding set and can be easily changed to suit your mood or the season. Overall, new bedding and accent pillows are an easy and affordable way to give your bedroom a quick update and make it a more inviting and comfortable space.
2. Replace (Or Add) A Piece of Artwork
Artwork is one of the best design elements to enhance a room’s potential and give that empty wall the final touch it needs. Replacing or adding new artwork to a space can be an inexpensive way to revitalize the area and make it feel fresh and new. Additionally, swapping out artwork every few months or once or twice a year can provide a fresh new perspective and keep the space looking current without the cost of a full renovation.
Pro Tip: Choose artwork that fits with the overall style of the room and hang it at eye level, about 60” off the floor or between 6-9” over furniture.
3. Re-Arrange & Touch-Up Your Furniture!
Re-arranging your furniture is such a simple and cost-effective way to give your home a makeover. By moving around the furniture, you can change the flow of the space to create a new layout that feels more functional and visually pleasing. By doing this, you can also create different zones within the room, such as a cozy reading nook or a more formal dining area.Overall, re-arranging furniture is a simple yet powerful way to give a room a fresh new look without the need for costly renovations.
Finally, rearranging your furniture is an excellent opportunity to take a closer look at your furniture and give necessary touchups. Wood touch-up markers, for example, are a quick and easy way to do this and can be purchased at any big box store.
Pro Tip: Before starting to re-arrange your furniture, take measurements, and make sure to map out where each item is going so you can make sure that everything will fit before you start the process.
4. Replace an Area Rug
Area rugs are one of the most important design elements in a space, adding warmth, colour, and texture to a room. Area rugs connect furniture together and anchor sitting areas, helping tie together various design elements.
Replacing your area rug can give your room a fresh new update by immediately changing the overall look and feel of a space. This can also change the mood of the room, taking it from sleek and modern to cozy and warm. Overall, a new area rug can be a quick and easy way to refresh the look of a room or change its style without breaking the bank.
Pro Tip: Make sure you get a rug that is big enough for your space. Your furniture should touch the rug on all sides to visually expand the living area. You risk making the room look smaller and less impactful if you go too small.
5. Pick a New Paint Color!
It’s a tried-and-true, budget-friendly way to refresh any space and make a world of difference! Painting the ceilings, interior doors, trim, or outdated furniture can dramatically change the look and feel of a room.
Current trends favour warm whites and neutrals, all of which can be used to make your space look and feel warmer and cozier. That said, don’t be afraid to use dark or moody colours to add depth and drama to your room.
6. Indoor Plants
Adding indoor plants to your home décor is an incredible way to bring life, colour and texture to a room! You can style these plants in different ways to complement a room’s overall style and aesthetic. It’s essential to keep in mind each plant’s needs to place them in a location where they can thrive. Consider the amount of lighting each room can provide and choose a plant accordingly. Tall plants like Fiddle-Leaf Fig, Areca Palm, Ficus Alii and Bird of Paradise are great for highlighting a corner.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a green thumb, consider adding faux plants to your space instead. They add life, texture, and interest to your home without the stress of having to care for them.
7. New Window Treatments
Window Treatments go far beyond being just a privacy element by enhancing the aesthetic of a room and adding colour, pattern, and texture to your windows. Window treatments don’t always have to be monochromatic, so don’t be afraid to add colour or patterns to them. Playing with textures and patterns is a fantastic way to add complexity and character to a room. Roman Shades, Solar Shades, Roller Shades, and Wall-to-Wall Curtains – for example – are design assets that can accomplish different functions like making a ceiling seem higher, creating a focal point or making a room brighter.
Voted Top 75 Most Influential People In Real Estate Staging by the Real Estate Staging Association, Beyond The Stage Homes CEO Shauna Lynn Simon is an award-winning entrepreneur, home staging industry influencer, residential designer, business coach and author.
