Home Refresh 101: Tips for Injecting New Life into Your Space

Our homes can feel a little lackluster at times. You might have been cooped up inside over the winter months, or your house is starting to succumb to wear and tear and in need of a home refresh.

A drab home can take its toll on your mental well-being, but it’s not typically a costly exercise to fix. You might be able to inject much-needed freshness and update your home by taking small actions.  

A Quick Home Refresh

A quick refresh of your living space plays a crucial role in enhancing mental clarity and comfort, impacting your overall well-being in several significant ways.

A refreshed and well-organized space can reduce mental clutter and distraction and adding a bit of color, having a sort out and even changing your layout can uplift your mood.

Buy House Plants and Flowers

It can be surprising how transformative a few simple plants can be for a quick refresh. A large houseplant in the corner of a room or a fresh bouquet of flowers on a dining table may add much-needed liveliness and freshness.

Don’t forget to research flower care tips to ensure you can keep your beautiful plants and flowers alive for as long as possible. Some of the easiest plants to care for are the spider plant, snake plant, and the Boston fern.

Freshen Up the Paint

Painted walls can succumb to wear and tear over time. They can become marked, dull, and no longer as vibrant as they once were. Don’t underestimate the value of fresh paint to give your home a quick refresh and a new lease of life.

You can add coats of the same colors you already have or go all out with new color schemes. Remember, dark colors can sometimes make a room feel oppressive, so don’t be afraid to opt for something a little lighter to boost your home’s aesthetics.

Selecting colors that reflect your personality and enhance your space is a key aspect of interior design. The right color choices can transform a room, affecting both its appearance and the mood it creates.

Here’s a guide on how to choose colors that resonate with your personality and complement your living space:

• Warm Colors (Reds, Oranges, Yellows): Often evoke feelings of warmth, energy, and positivity. Ideal for social spaces like living rooms.
• Cool Colors (Blues, Greens, Purples): Tend to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, suitable for bedrooms or bathrooms.
• Neutrals (Whites, Grays, Beiges): Provide a backdrop of simplicity and sophistication. They are versatile and can be warmed up or cooled down with accents.

Declutter

Probably one of the best ways to refresh your home without spending money is to have a good declutter. Identifying and removing unnecessary items from your home is a crucial step in decluttering and creating a more organized, peaceful living space.

Homes can sometimes appear dark, dank, and dated when filled with furniture, clutter, and knick-knacks. Let in more natural light and freshness by decluttering and taking a more minimalistic approach to home furnishings.

Move tall furniture away from windows, take ornaments off window sills, and remove obstacles from walking paths in each room. This simple process might make more of an impact than you think.

Focus On Odor

There might be nothing wrong with your furniture, décor, or knick-knacks. Instead, your home might be lacking freshness due to odors. There are many ways you can ensure your home smells as fresh as it looks, such as:

• Cleaning your carpets
• Washing upholstery
• Opening windows for fresh air
• Using diffusers with essential oils
• Lighting candles
• Burning incense
• Simmering aromatic ingredients on a stove
• Using refresher sprays
• Taking care of any plumbing leaks or moisture problems

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Play With Lighting

Traditional homes often have one central light, with the rest of the room plunged into darkness. During winter, in particular, such lighting can result in a house appearing darker than it needs to.

Consider investing in in-ceiling lighting, wall sconces, and freestanding lamps to complement those main lights and give your home a quick refresh. Even hanging or draping string lights on plants or shelves can help brighten up a space and make it feel cozy. A few additional lighting sources in a central living space may have more of an impact than you think.

If you have a small and often dark home, think about utilizing other methods to bring more light into the space. Place mirrors directly across from windows to reflect light into the room and consider using glossy paint, tiles, or finishes on floors and furniture, as they help bounce light around the room.

Make sure you allow as much light through the windows as possible. Use sheer or lightweight curtains that allow light to pass through and install blinds or shades that can be easily adjusted to control the amount of light entering the room.

Purchase New Décor and Furnishings

You might be surprised by how impactful new décor and furnishings can be. A vibrant painting in a kitchen or a new rug and throw pillows in a living room might be enough to transform a space and give it a new lease on life.

Here’s how to make the best choices for a home refresh;

• Define your color scheme: Choose accessories that complement the existing color scheme of your room. They don’t have to match perfectly but should harmonize with the colors of your walls, furniture, and other decor.
• Consider style and theme: Ensure that the style of the accessories aligns with the overall theme of the room. For instance, geometric patterns might suit a modern space, while floral designs could enhance a more traditional setting.
• Proportionate to Furniture: Ensure cushions and rugs are the right scale for your furniture. For instance, a large sectional sofa can handle bigger cushions, while a delicate chair might need smaller ones.
• Rug Sizing: A common rule for rugs is that they should be large enough that at least the front legs of your furniture sit on them.
• Personal Taste: Choose art that speaks to you personally. It doesn’t have to be expensive; it just needs to resonate with your style.
• Wall Size and Placement: Consider the size of the wall when selecting art. A small piece on a large wall can look lost, while a too-large piece can overwhelm the space.
• Seasonal Updates: Swap out accessories like cushions and throws according to the season for an easy and quick refresh.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Easy and affordable DIY projects can make a significant difference in your home, adding personal touches and improving functionality without breaking the bank. Here are some quick and easy ways to update your home;

1. Paint an accent wall
2. Update cabinet hardware with new knobs or pulls
3. Create a gallery wall
4. Change your curtains
5. Refinish or paint furniture
6. Install floating shelves
7. Create a plant corner
8. Upgrade lighting fixtures
9. Organize with DIY storage solutions such as baskets, labels, and shelves.

These DIY projects are not only affordable but also allow you to add a personal touch when you update your home. They can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, depending on your skill level and the time you have available. The key is to choose projects that not only enhance the aesthetics of your home but also improve its functionality and comfort.

These easy ways to update your home can quickly create a house you want to come home to. Injecting freshness into your home doesn’t have to require significant financial investment and a complete renovation overhaul. It can often be as easy as clearing the clutter, buying flowers and houseplants, and freshening up old paint.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a very small commission if you click through and make a purchase. These links help to pay the editorial costs of writing a blog. For more information, please read my full affiliate disclosure here. 

I also use Artificial Intelligence Image generators to create some of my images. These are to show you examples of my ideas and inspiration when I cannot produce the real images myself.

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