Whether you want to freshen up your bedroom or breathe life into your living room, the right design tricks can help you make it happen. Here are some of the home decorating tips interior designers swear by.
Empty space is key when arranging furniture or accents. Packing too many elements into a room can create visual chaos.
1. Paint the Walls
A fresh coat of paint is one of the most affordable and effective ways to transform a room. It can brighten a dark space, soften a harsh room and create a new atmosphere. While painting can be intimidating, there are plenty of tips that can help you get the job done right. So if you’re thinking, “I want to add a splash of color to my daughter’s bedroom,” you’ve come to the right place!
To prep for the project, start by sweeping all surfaces to remove dust and cobwebs. Vacuum the baseboards, too. Next, clear away any furniture and move it to a different area of the room where you can work. If you have to leave it positioned, cover the furniture and outlets with plastic or a drop cloth. This will keep your investment safe from drips and paint splatters until you’re finished.
Before you pick up a paint brush, test out the color in your home. It’s best to get a large swatch of the paint first so you can be sure it’s what you want. Once you’ve narrowed it down, go ahead and paint!
Adding color with throw pillows and rugs is another cheap way to add personality to a room. If your walls are painted a neutral color, choose bright colors for these accessories to pop off the wall and really stand out.
Similarly, if you have a few bare walls above your sofa, consider hanging a gallery wall. This is a great way to showcase your family portraits or favorite artwork in style. Choosing a frame and mat that compliments the color of the wallpaper will make it look like part of the decor. This is a trick that can be used in any room.
2. Install Accent Wallpaper
An accent wall is a great way to add personality and flair to a space without having to deal with the mess of painting. Plus, wallpaper is more affordable than a full room and can be installed yourself (though we recommend hiring an expert to do the job for you)!
The key to a successful wallpaper accent is choosing a color that stands out from the rest of the room. You can play with texture on your accent wall, too, which will further separate the room from its mundanity. Look for fabric-like textures that can mimic materials like stone, wood, and leather.
When deciding on a pattern for the accent, consider the current style of your home and whether it’s appropriate. Larger patterns may overwhelm smaller rooms, while tiny prints might seem too chaotic in larger spaces. Consider the room’s purpose, as well: a floral pattern works for nurseries and playrooms but might not be the best fit in offices or studies.
If you’re tackling wallpaper for the first time, start by washing the wall with a non-abrasive cleaner and letting it dry completely. Once the wall is prepped, use a level to draw a straight plumb line at the point where you want to hang the first strip of wallpaper. This will help keep the rest of the wallpaper evenly hung. If you’re installing a horizontal strip, make sure the top and bottom are equal in height; otherwise, your room will feel lopsided and imbalanced. Also note that if you’re installing a wallpaper with an inside or outside corner, be sure to overlap the paper by 1/8 in. This will minimize the visibility of seams down the road.
3. Reuse Colors
When a room’s color palette gets tired, consider painting something unexpected to give it a new life. For example, try adding a coat of paint to the insides of closet doors, on the back of a bookcase, or on the bottom of stairs. Then, when the room gets a makeover, the re-purposed colors will tie everything together.
Using a similar paint shade on multiple surfaces can also breathe new life into a room. For example, use a neutral hue on walls and trim while letting hotter hues shine through on furniture, curtains, or accessories. This trick allows you to update a room in stages, so the changes are gradual rather than drastic.
A fresh coat of paint is a simple and inexpensive way to revamp any space. But if you’re not up for a DIY project, opt for wallpaper instead. It’s easy to install, looks fantastic, and can be removed when you want to redecorate.
Another simple and inexpensive way to update a room is by reupholstering furniture. Whether the piece is old or simply doesn’t suit your current decor, the cost of new fabric is far less than purchasing an entire set of new chairs.
If you’re looking to spruce up your home without spending much money, try these simple decorating tricks:
Decluttering is an effective way to instantly make a space look better. A cluttered room can quickly feel unorganized and overwhelming. It’s a great idea to sort through and organize books, decorative items, and knick-knacks, but only keep the things that speak to you. Also, clusters of objects tend to look more visually appealing than individual pieces. This applies to artwork, vases, cushions, and other decorative accents.
4. Switch Up the Layout
Home decor projects often require a major budget and plenty of time to execute, but even the most minor changes can make a room feel new and fresh. One of the simplest ways to do this is to swap out furniture and accents, but rearranging them to create a different layout can also have an impact.
Try placing a focal point on a far wall to draw the eye, or hang a mirror directly across from a window to instantly brighten the space. Incorporate more textures into the room by displaying natural elements, such as driftwood branches, twigs or lichen-covered leaves in decorative glass containers. As a general rule, odd-number groupings are more visually interesting than even ones, so opt for placing vases or frames in groups of three or five instead of twos and fours.
Another quick way to change up a room is to change the lighting, which can have a dramatic impact on the overall look of your space. Breining recommends using uplights to light a room—especially in small spaces—to help it feel bigger and more welcoming. He says a simple way to accomplish this is by using canister uplights, which look like a regular ceiling fixture but cast a soft glow that highlights artwork or other decorative pieces.
Another easy way to update a room without spending money is to go shopping in your own home for items that can be used in the space. This could mean replacing a dated flush mount light with a modern style or switching out plastic wall plates for metal fixtures. Adding small details like these can make your entire home feel more intentional, which can make it seem more expensive.
5. Bring in Greenery
The easiest way to instantly freshen up a room is by introducing some greenery. Plants add a pop of natural color, help keep air clean, and can also boost the mood. But if you’re a little short on space or don’t have much of a green thumb, there are plenty of other ways to bring in some greenery.
For example, try adding an eye-catching plant to your coffee table. It’s a free piece of decor that will instantly elevate your living space. Alternatively, you can decorate with birch tree limbs or driftwood branches, or try displaying a few leafy clippings from outside in vases. Or, if you’re up for the challenge, you can attempt to grow your own plants from seed or buy an already-potted version that won’t take up too much space.
Aside from enhancing the look of your home, greenery can also be used as an opportunity to show off your personality. If you’re a nature lover, consider hanging botanical framed prints or illustrations in your space. Or, display a fun greenery-inspired sculpture on your shelf or mantle. This DIY trellis from Mandi and Courtney at Vintage Revivals is a great way to display your love of the outdoors.
Adding some greenery is an easy way to give any space a more polished, put-together feel. However, there are plenty of other tricks that you can use to upgrade your living space and make it more inviting. Just remember that a good rule of thumb is to invest in quality staple items and mix in refurbished thrift finds or DIY projects to create an upscale look on a budget. With a little creativity and time, you can easily turn your house into a home that’s uniquely yours!