Well, not all of us have the desire to undertake a major makeover in our homes, but still, a little change every now and again can give us a chance to thoughtfully improve our surroundings. A change for the better can be refreshing. Let’s look at some easy changes we can make that don’t take a lot of time or dollars.
Art
Artwork in our homes includes more than just the paintings on the walls. Many of us have sculptural pieces such as statues, vases, clocks, and collectibles that have meaning. Knickknacks and small souvenirs we like have value to us and can be displayed with love (decluttering is part of this process as well as we keep only those things that mean something to us).
By changing up how all the items mentioned are displayed is an inexpensive and quick way to refresh your living space. Sometimes just moving artwork to a different wall or room and switching how pieces are grouped can provide that feeling of renewal you might be looking for. And don’t be afraid to rotate items in and out of storage. Not everything has to be on display at once.
This is a high value update if you use what you have without buying anything new.
Furniture
Think about rearranging the chairs, couches, and tables to give a space a different feel. Of course, that may easier said than done. Our entertainment systems tend to be fixed due to all the wires and it can limit changes. However, chairs, end tables along with lamps might be able to be moved around. Having an electrical socket added to the floor or wall in a strategic place in a room may open some options for moving items around.
Adding splashes of color with new couch cushions or throws or even adding small area rugs will change the way your space feels.
Bookcases are another way to upgrade a home. Books can be displayed by size, color, or topic. Whichever way you choose, books add an interesting element to any home. One of the first things many people look at when in a home is the book selection- it tells us a lot about the people who live there! Display your books attractively and thoughtfully.
Window Coverings
Curtains, shades and blinds will give you the ability to control how natural light impacts a space. They also offer a great opportunity to add color and texture to a room. Texture comes from the material used on any of the window coverings you choose. The pleating patterns can add to the design sense of any space.
Light
How we artificially light our homes has a huge effect on the feel of a space.
Replacing fixtures is an easy way to update the look of your home or, if you already have the light fixtures you want, consider changing out the lamp, or light bulbs. Moving from incandescent to LED bulbs can alter the lighting intensity, the lower power usage might even save you a few shekels.
Getting rid of the florescent lighting holdovers might be the next step toward an update. Replacing them with recessed lighting will make your homes gathering places feel warmer and more intimate.
Depending on the scale of project you undertake the return on investment will be worth it. If you are not a skilled electrician, you will want to hire one.
Paint
Paint is all about color. Lighter colors can make a small space feel larger, conversely, darker colors can make a large space feel smaller. Changing the color of a room will certainly transform the feel. Granted, painting a room or several rooms is not as simple as changing a light bulb, but it will make a difference.
A recent trend in painting our homes that may save you time is to add an accent wall. Usually complementary to the main color, an accent wall can be used to highlight artwork, a view, or even designate a different use in a large open room. As an example, a friend of mine has a large great room that has the entertainment center, a sitting and conversation area, and a pool table. The use of a few well thought out placement with different colors really adds a lot to the multi-use space.
Painting can be a DIY project and you don’t even have to paint the whole room. You might choose to include an accent wall and simply paint that. Easy peasey! A DIY article in our data base might help you decide if you want to do it yourself.
There is all manner of creative and simple actions we can take to make easy upgrades to our living spaces. We looked at just a few this week. What we would love to hear about are the simple upgrades you have undertaken!
Drop us a note at info@rosieonthehouse.com and thank you!
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Homeowner Handbook: #5EasyUpdates
PODCAST
December 14th, 2024
Our Weekly To Do on easy fixes to change the look around the home that won’t cost you a bunch of bucks. Rosie gets busted suggesting cutting the emergency release cord on the garage door. Additional homeowner tips on insulation, solar, water filtration and more.
Original Broadcast Archive Page With Expanded Content
Photo Credit:
- Istock
- GE
