1. Get Creative with Framing
Create a collection of framed prints from
photos you already have, or take a few snapshots of your kids, pets, or some
flowers in your garden. Print them at home or order your prints online. Then
have them framed or buy ready-made frames at your favourite crafts store.
Get creative—buy a random assortment of
frames in different shapes and sizes, or all the same frames and mats for a
polished look. Don’t be afraid to add a pop of color with your matting.
2. Bring the
Outdoors In
One of the easiest things you can do to
freshen up your home is to add fresh flowers, branches, and even leaves from
your own yard. It’s inexpensive and fun! Budding branches make for great
decorative pieces. Or try spray-painting branches and assembling them in glass
vases for high impact. You can also frame pressed flowers and leaves for an
organic look.
3. Add Life to Boring Shades
Make plain roller shades more interesting and
beautiful by stenciling a design on them, such as a monogram. You can find
stencils in varying patterns and monograms from Sunny’s Goodtime Paints. Follow our step-by-step
guide to creating a stencilled
window shade.
4. Be Selective
with Paint
Most decorators will say that a fresh coat of
paint is the quickest way to make over your home, but painting an entire room
can take time and seem a bit daunting. Try painting just the doors or even the
moulding for a quick update. Not only does this take less time and money, but
it can also add a focal point to the room if you use an eye-catching colour.
5. Swap out Your Throw Pillows
For instant gratification, switch out your
throw pillows. New shapes, sizes, and colours will automatically make your room
look different and won’t break the bank like reupholstering your furniture can.
6. Furnishings
A quick switch can dramatically alter
the look and feel of a room by changing the flow and the focal point. You don’t
have to move everything around, though. Try swapping a chair from the family
room with one you have in the bedroom or even a mirror from one room with a
piece of art from another. Small changes really can have a big impact.
7. Set Up an
Entry Moment
The first and sometimes only part of
your home guests see is the front entry. If you want to change the welcoming
point of your home, start by adding new potted plants to your porch or buying
nice house numbers. Don’t forget the interior. Adding a bench, hooks for coats,
or even a basket for mail can make your home seem more inviting.
8. Update Your
Furniture
This can include anything from switching out
the knobs and pulls to repainting an old piece to make it seem brand new. To
refinish furniture, start by lightly sanding the piece. For old pieces, sanding
will make the surface smooth, and for newer ones, it will get rid of any gloss
or finish that may prevent the paint from adhering. Instead of brushing on the
paint, you can invest in a paint sprayer, available at most home-improvement
stores. Painting this way will help you avoid brushstrokes and achieve a more
even coat.
9. Display Your Collections
Don’t
scatter your treasured pieces all around the house. Make them the focus of a
room by displaying them together. Vases, frames, china, or silver make great
collections. It creates more visual impact, plus it can be a great talking
point when company arrives.
Something as simple as a seasonal centrepiece
on your dining room table can change the look of your room. For spring, a fresh
bouquet of flowers will brighten the space. In the fall, a boxwood-and-apple
topiary will add the perfect touch.
Reference: http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/easy-decorating-ideas-for-a-home-makeover#home-makeovers-with-seasonal-decor
