Photo Courtesy of BHG.com
Spring is a great time of year to make a few changes around your home. Here are a few ideas that can yield some instant results and make a major impact, too. Are you pressed for time or on a budget? These are 10 quick, easy, and low cost ideas that can give your home a fresh new look with a minimum of effort.
1. First impressions count. Paint your front door a new and different color! Add a new doorknocker and add a seasonal wreath or other arrangement that says "Welcome!" Add a few pots of flowers or window boxes to your front entry. You can also replace that old doormat with a new one.
2. Inside your home - Clear clutter from surfaces. The easiest way to give a room a fresher look is to clear away anything that clutters up your space. It's time to let your rooms breathe!
3. Pare down on accessories and knickknacks. A few well chosen accessories nicely displayed will make more of an impact than a bunch of knickknacks scattered on every available surface.
4. Ditch those tired and dated dried floral arrangements, wreaths, centerpieces, etc. that are past their prime. If they are more than a couple years old, have lost their color and freshness - it's time to replace them with live healthy plants, fresh flowers, or a single orchid or bamboo plant. A simple and elegant silk arrangement in a beautiful container would also be lovely.
5. Replace a tired and dated bedspread with a fresh new comforter or quilt. Add some new sheets and pillows. (You can donate some of your old bedding to the local animal shelter!) On a budget? Local area discount and department stores often have special sales or have "bed-in-a-bag" ensembles for very reasonable prices. Favorite resources for moderately priced bedding include The Company Store, Linen Source, Pottery Barn, and Country Curtains.
6. Replace those frilly and ruffled curtains and pillows that were so popular a few years back with something more simple and tailored. Replace the ruffled curtains with simple panels or Roman shades for a more tailored and classic look. Favorite resources for ready-made curtains and drapes include Country Curtains, Smith + Noble, Pottery Barn, and JC Penney.
7. Paint is an easy and fairly low-cost way to transform a room or a piece of furniture. Don't have time to do a whole room? Paint one wall as an accent and see how that can become a focal point. My favorite paints? I usually spec out Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams, but there are other good brands available.
8. Have a favorite lamp or light fixture that looks dated? Replace the lampshade for an easy fix or paint the base a different color. There are lots of options to choose from. Local resources for me include The Lighting Place and Lake's Lampshades.
9. An old sofa or chair can be updated quickly with a new slipcover. There are many options available from inexpensive to custom-fitted. Sometimes a slipcover can be a temporary solution until you can afford to buy that new sofa or chair. Or just add some fresh new throw pillows!
10. Replace an old and leaky faucet in your kitchen or bathroom with a newer model. You can also replace your shower heads with newer models. Most will also help you save considerably on water consumption!
These are just a few tips to get you started. For more ideas, there are lots of on-line resources, magazines, and books available -- not to mention all the home improvement shows on TV!
Ceil Petrucelli is an interior designer, decorator, and home organizing consultant based in Bennington, VT and is the owner of Ceil Petrucelli Interiors and The House Therapist. She can be reached at ceilpetrucelli@comcast.net
