Photo By: Maraya Interior Design

While simplicity goes a long way in reducing clutter, being too basic can feel sterile and cold. Fortunately, there are several ways to add warmth to a space that doesn’t require starting your interior design from the beginning. It can be as simple as changing the room color or adding some farmhouse wall decor. The direction you go will not only depend on your personal preference but also the general style of your home. Adding country accents to an ultra-contemporary layout may not be the best effect. No matter what space you have to work in, know that there are cozy touches that can bring needed warmth.

Add Color

White walls give a very clean look but can be very cold if there’s not much else in the room. Adding a coat of paint is an inexpensive way to completely change the overall feel of any room. The possibilities are almost endless but a muted natural color is always a safe bet. Adding color doesn’t need to be limited to just repainting. Furniture, art and other functional elements can all bring warmer shades into the space.

Textiles

While hardwood floors are the modern choice for most rooms, left totally uncovered they can be a vast expanse of echoing coldness. Add a large area rug to the room to cut down on the sound and add a splash of color. An empty couch can be similarly uninviting. Use pillows and throw blankets to bring more coziness to seating areas.

Utilize Lighting

Lighting is obviously functional but can also have a subtle effect on how warm a room feels as well. Intense, bright and blue-hued light can be quite harsh and unappealing. Use incandescent bulbs and wattages that aren’t overpowering. Move beyond the single overhead light that is standard in every room and think of alternative places to add lights. The light fixture itself can also add a touch of warmth. Consider changing a chandelier to one with natural wood, or add wall sconces in the same manner.

Go Farmhouse

Even in modern times, the farmhouse style has stood the test of time and is more popular than ever. There is a good reason for that – it is naturally rustic, warm and inviting. The use of natural colors and exposed wood is simple yet soft and cozy. Another benefit is that you don’t need to redecorate all at one time since true farmhouses evolved slowly over time. Here are a few ways to get started with this style:

• Furniture – Exposed, unfinished wood and a distressed look are all staples of furniture that belongs in a farmhouse. This doesn’t mean everything in your house needs to look old. Accent tables, chairs and vanities all mesh well with modern couches and appliances.
• Decoration – This is probably the most fun part of this style. Finding pieces such as farmhouse kitchen decor can be an exploration in itself. Keep with natural and functional pieces and don’t be afraid to mix in true antiques. But don’t go overboard on the knickknacks or you’ll lose the look of simplicity.
• Redesign – Already planning a major overhaul of your home and want to add some farmhouse elements? Consider an apron style sink or a new cabinet style for the kitchen. In the great room think about adding reclaimed wood beams or more rustic flooring.

Warming up that cold and tired place in your home doesn’t need to be a massive undertaking that breaks the bank. Some simple additions and design cues will have you curling up in your new favorite spot in no time.

Photos By: Lisa Zhu

When you are getting a bit tired of the way that your home looks, it can be tempting to start a full overhaul project of your décor. This can be extremely expensive and time consuming and by the time you’re done, you’ll probably want to start again. The best way to get around this is to choose things to refresh rather than completely redecorate. Here, we are going to take you through some of the ways that you can refresh your home this summer so keep reading to learn more.

Spend Time in Your Garden

You may be prone to investing in new furniture or redecorating your living room, but do you ever think about your garden? Changing up your garden can be a really effective way of refreshing your home without having to do too much work. If you wanted, you could add a new shed, or you could even start growing your own vegetables. Don’t overthink it and get a landscaper in, you just need to think about the small changes that you could make that can totally transform how it looks. Play around with DIY ideas and you’ll have a refreshed garden in no time.

Invest in Some Paint

Just because you can’t afford to redecorate your whole house doesn’t mean that you can’t update the paint. It is likely that your paint in your living room or hallway has started to fade or peel off and it might be time to give it a fresh coat. If you really want to make a difference you could always change the colour of the walls but for a quick fix to refresh how it looks, you just need to paint another coat. This will actually make a huge difference and you’ll be surprised by how much your walls just needed a little attention.

Bin Your Ready-Made Curtains

Curtains are great for adding an extra layer of privacy to your home and if you choose the right ones then you can add a lot to your home. Unfortunately, curtains are often chosen that do not fit the windows properly and the bottoms of them get very dirty because of the length. This is why you should bin your currents and invest in some made to measure curtains. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference curtains that actually fit your windows can make and you’ll love that they won’t be trailing on the floor catching dust. Choose a bright colour of curtains and your home will be refreshed in no time.

Rearrange Your Living Room

Looking to refresh your home without spending too much money? Why not move your furniture about and see if you can come up with a better layout? If you have a big enough space, it is likely that you will be able to really make a difference with this and it might even look like a totally different room. Play about with this until you find the right layout but don’t revert back to the old one if you really want to refresh your home this summer.

Give It A Clean

Of course, you clean your home all the time but if you really want to make it feel really fresh, give it a deep clean. This means cleaning the things that you never even think about like the tops of your door frames, under your bed and the very back of your kitchen cupboards. If you really want to refresh your home, you could even do a clear out and donate a lot of your things to charity. It can become very easy to hoard and you need to try and get rid of the clutter if you want to refresh your home. Get your whole family involved and make this into a project to get the job done faster.

Final Thoughts

Refreshing your home doesn’t need to be difficult as there are so many different ways that you can do this. You don’t need to spend thousands of pounds on new furniture or move your entire family out so that you can renovate. Take yourself to the local DIY shop and grab some paint. You’ll love how you can make your rooms look amazing by simply adding an extra coat of paint to the walls that you haven’t touched in the last five years.

You should also make sure that you give your home a deep clean if you want to make it a lot fresher. You’ll feel a huge relief when you get rid of those things that you have been hoarding and you’ll love how your home looks and feels. Don’t be afraid to replace things like curtains with made-to-measure ones that will really make a difference in the end.