5 WAYS TO UPDATE A ROOM

If you are like me, you are always looking for ways to update the look of a room in your home. Do you have a room that looks a little tattered or tired? Or one that just may need a change? You can freshen it up without doing a total makeover

These are practical and doable actions that will actually make a huge difference in how rooms look!  

I use these tips often and they really work to make a big improvement in my decor! Let’s get started loving our homes by incorporating these 5 easy changes!

PAINT SOMETHING

Paint changes everything. Plain and simple.

One of the best ways to change the look of a room is to paint something in it. The walls, floors, furniture, accent pieces.  Tables, chairs, cushions, lampshades, doors, books… you name it and you can paint it! A paintbrush is like a magic wand. USE it! This is the best way to make a room look drastically different!  

Paint is easy to use and the cost is minimal compared to the impact it makes! If one of your rooms needs something to freshen it up… paint it! I think painting is good for the soul and our homes!

Get out the paint and touch up a couple of rooms. We did this over the weekend and I was so surprised how fresh the whole room looked!

We use flat paint on our walls and touch up is so super easy!

I’m in the process of painting the lamp in the picture below. Although I like its aged look I want a change. So I’m painting it! And I’m silver leafing it too!

This will be a big change at a fraction of what it costs to buy a new one!

And did you know you can paint a lampshade too?

EDIT SOMETHING

Sometimes we get decor blind! When we look at the same things in a room for a long time we become oblivious to the need to freshen things up! Have you ever noticed how our rooms seem to collect “things”! They collect too many pillows or books or accent pieces or chairs or chotchkies!  Try purging your room of any auxiliary decor noise!  

Also, try removing one piece of furniture. Many of us don’t give our rooms enough breathing space! If you remove a piece of furniture try a new configuration for the furniture left. It may just be what your room needed!

Big or small, editing things and playing with your decor will give you a fresh more curated look!

ORGANIZE SOMETHING

This is such a simple way to change the look of a room. Put everything in its place and take out ANYTHING that does not belong there. I’d actually start with this tip when I want to make a difference in a room!

I organized magazines and a few books I read in the living room in baskets under the coffee table on the lower shelf. I often have a bad habit of tossing them on the floor by the sofa. Wow, did that one little thing make a big difference!

And I stash extra throws and pillows we love in the big basket above!

BRING ONE NEW THING INTO THE ROOM

I am a huge believer in repurposing furnishings. Give furniture or accessories a second life. Think about bringing decor from one part of your home and putting it in a different room.

Take all those gorgeous platters you own and hang them on the wall. Use an old colander as a planter. Make a vintage milk can in the basement into a great lamp (I’m actually doing this!). Use a bedroom dresser as a cool bar or hang wire baskets in the kitchen to hold your cookbooks.  

I made the pillow above from ribbons I had. And it has shown up in so many rooms in our home. Its striking design adds a lot of punch and pretty a room!

You can see the NO-SEW RIBBON PILLOW DIY HERE.

Thinking outside the decor box will get your creative juices flowing and you too! 

LAYER SOMETHING

Layering decor is a skill every home decorator should acquire. Layering is a great way to add interest and to breathe new life into a tired room. Just give it a try!

Stack books and top the stack off with a potted plant in a cool container. Add an extra throw to a chair and add a pillow. These are easy ideas with lots of panache for a tired room!

What room in your home needs a little love? Could you use one of these tips to make a huge decor difference! Make a plan and begin changing your home today!

Here are other easy ways to update a room…

• swap out some lampshades
• style a mantel with candles
• add a pretty plant or something green
• style a vignette for the room
• add some new art or family photos
• pop a garden stool in a room for extra space to sit a drink or book
• add peel and stick wallpaper to one wall
• hang new lightweight curtains
• add a mirror to a wall
• treat yourself and your room to a bouquet of flowers

OTHER DECORATING POSTS TO ENJOY

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DECOR YOU SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT SPLURGE ON

A GUIDE TO DECORATING ON A BUDGET

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FEEL STUCK WITH YOUR DECOR