A quick change can make any familiar scene feel like brand new. And after being cooped up over the cold weather, you’re probably sick of staring at the same old stuff. So why not give your place a summer fix-up? Just a few simple ways to transform your space, without reforming your budget:
Make a bold statement. If your walls are already painted a neutral color, choose one wall that is a major focus of the room (like, the one that the TV is in front of, or one that you see when you first step in the door) and paint it with a bright, but matching, color. If you’ve always been scared of radical shades on the wall, think about this: vivid, even whimsical, colors are not just for kids anymore. Using a cool muted blue, or peachy pink looks really sharp against white trim, or other simple white accessories like vases and end tables. That way, the style resembles more of an elegant, metro apartment than a play place.
Make your room one to hang in. It’s easy to overlook a standard ceiling fan, or lighting fixture above a living room. But other hanging accessories can add levels to the room that were never there before. So, if everything around you is about the same height, draw attention upward by hanging a few oversized paper lanterns, or change the casing around the bulb on your ceiling fan to something decorative, or even tinted. Heck, you can even go vintage and try a chandelier with a matte, ivory finish. A little chipping is fine. It will make the piece look dated, in a good way.
Make your space look lived in. People are always trying to hide the things they use. Hair brushes, lotions, cereal boxes—-but why not show what you’ve got? This trick works in almost any room: buy a simple unit of shelves with at least three levels that can fit on an empty countertop, or in a corner. Throw on a few things from around the house. For the kitchen, add a decorative bowl, salt and pepper shakers, a few cookbooks, and some miscellaneous decorative items. For the bathroom, use the shelf as an easy way to access some pretty perfume bottles, your fancier creams and makeup, or soaps. This will also free up some space under the sink and in drawers.