There are plenty of ways to improve the look of your home without a big investment of money, time, or effort. Whether you’re looking for ways to put the finishing touches on your room or wanting to refresh your space for guests, here are a few tricks and some well-picked affordable accessories that can go a long way to making your home look like a million bucks.
Paint
Nothing can transform a room as quickly as a great coat of paint. Splashing some color on the walls can bring together all the elements in a room and refresh the look of any space.
Welcome mats and small rugs
What an easy way to dress up the entrance to your home! A new welcome mat or small area rug inside the door can add a nice punch of color and freshness to the room. Add a couple of large potted plants and your doorway will look thoroughly welcoming to all who enter.
Lamps
Liven up your space with light! An evenly lit room is boring – variations in brightness, highlight, and shadow make a room more interesting and livable. The key to a great design is a balance of task, accent, and general lighting that allow you to perform a variety of activities in one room.
Artwork
Displaying your favorite photos, painting or prints on the wall will dress up any room. It only costs a few cents each to print out your own photography on photo-quality paper. Enlarge some of your favorites and make a great focal point on a wall with a collection of framed photos in various sizes. Similarly, it’s easy to find vintage prints, posters and other artwork – gather a few and display them together, and you’ve got a great-looking collection and conversation piece!
Pillows
Accent pillows allow you to change up your decor seasonally and keep your room looking fresh and new throughout the year. Accent pillows enhance your existing home decor by bringing fun colors, patterns, shapes, and textures to your room.
Mirrors
Mirrors can liven up a space by bouncing more light around the room. Whether you buy one large mirror to hang above a fireplace or piece of furniture, or a few small ones in a pattern on the wall, mirrors add interest and depth to any room.
New linens
Whether it’s a new quilt draped over the end of a bed or sofa or some new hand towels for the bathroom, new linens can quickly make a room feel new again. A set of new hand towels, a colorful blanket, or a complete set of fine bed sheets are a quick eye-catching update.
Transform your old furniture
Even if you have older furniture or hand-me-downs that you can’t replace yet, give them new life with a fresh coat of paint, a different wood stain, or new fabric. Similarly, transform your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and dresser drawers with new knobs.
Clean up the clutter
Another inexpensive way to improve your home is simply to get organized. High shelves and mantles are great for dressing up a space and cleaning up clutter from books, magazines and knick knacks that don’t really have a good home. Tidy lower shelves with several matching baskets or boxes for papers, colors, toys, DVDs, and games. Use large baskets or bins in an unused corner to serve as a toy storehouse that is both quick access and easy pick-up.
Sprucing up your home doesn’t have to be pricey or elaborate, and a few small changes can go a long way. With some well-chosen accessories and a little creativity, it’s possible to make simple decorating changes that will help your home look and feel new.