Refresh, Revamp, Renew is the way forward this spring for most homeowners. There's no way of avoiding the fact that the credit crunch has put a brake on house prices and moving home just simply isn't on the agenda for most of us. The best thing to do is use the "stay-put fever" that now seems rife amongst us Brits and improve your existing home.
This doesn't mean having to knock down walls. Falling in love with your house again can be easy. Simple improvements to your home can also add value so there's even more incentive to make some changes. Take a long hard look at your home with fresh eyes and try to see where you've not made the best use of space and what pieces are looking tired and old. Move your furniture around, change the position of your sofa, TV, bed etc. Aesthetic changes can give a room a refreshing new look and an instant face-lift.
Get the paint brushes out and you'll be amazed at the change a new coat of paint can make to any room. Stick to neutral tones and use your furniture, soft furnishings and accessories to bring colour and warmth into your room. There are lots of easy to live with space enhancing colour schemes available and for those of you who are in the mood to be creative why not follow the latest trend of using gorgeous patterned or textured wallpaper to create a stunning feature wall and give a room a classy feel.
Changing your lighting can also be another easy and worthwhile improvement. Lighting is essential for lifting or relaxing the mood. You can transform a dark room with the right lighting, create a flattering light in your bedroom and make a cosy ambience in your living room.
New side lamps can dress a bedroom and introduce a soft ambient light. A new statement floor lamp in a lounge is a wonderful alternative to harsh overhead lighting. Positioned correctly, these fashionable lights will make your room look bigger and brighter.
If selecting a modern light fixture to match your décor, it is important to keep in mind the colours, style and textures already used in the room. Soft simple lines and textures will blend seamlessly with other contemporary décor in your home or office. Or choose a striking lamp to contrast and add colour and interest to a room.
Contemporary home accessories add the finishing touches of style and elegance to your home. New soft furnishings such as throws and cushions are the perfect way to uplift a room. They can introduce an array of colours, patterns and textures. A new rug in the hall or living room provides the finishing touches to your home. They add colour, patterns and textures and help to define the mood of the room. Rugs help to soften hard lines and add warmth and comfort to your home. They are ideal for taking the chill off solid wood or tiled floors, particularly in the bedroom or living room. The addition of carefully placed rugs can also help minimise or hide imperfections in flooring, such as stains, chips or holes. They also reduce the wear on the floor, which is useful in heavy traffic areas. In a home with mostly wooden floors, a good selection of rugs will reduce the appearance of dust, and absorb and reduce noise.
Bathroom overhauls are also one of the most popular home improvements and can make a huge difference to the way you feel about your home. These days the bathroom is no longer considered to be merely a utility. Instead it is seen as a space that invigorates you in the morning and helps set the mood for the day ahead. It's also a place of retreat, where after a long hard day at work you can wash away tension and stress. Changing your taps, light fittings and mirror can often be all that is needed to update a tired looking bathroom. Add this to some gorgeous soft fluffy towels and accessories such as candles, plants and scented soaps and you will easily create your own personal spa. (Why not read our article - ‘Create a stylish bathroom' for further inspiration)
But most importantly spring cleaning and decluttering can be the answer if you need more space and a more organised living space. Start in the room you wake up in, as it will make a big difference to how you feel about the day. Invest in spacious beautiful wardrobes, and if you can stretch the budget a new bed can make a wonderful change to your sleeping space especially when dressed with soft luxurious bedding decorated with coloured and patterned cushions. A throw draped along the bottom of your bed can also give those last finishing touches and make a room look more expensive and inviting. (Why not read our article- ‘Clutter busting solutions: -Storage ideas for every room in your home' for great tips and ideas)
Investing in a new bookcase, TV Unit or sideboard will also make your living space feel more organised. This can be a great opportunity to have something bespoke made, a piece to fulfill your exact requirements and made to size. Hand made products are always of high quality and offer a great attention to detail which ensures that the piece will last for years.
Remember your dining room is still an important part of your home though rarely used for dining daily any longer. The dining room still remains the place for intimate dinners and social gatherings. The dining room table is the focal point of the room; easy changes like new chairs can make a huge impact. For an eclectic dining room, mix and match chairs at the table incorporating designs with similar shapes and materials, to seamlessly bring together a coordinated look. Choosing new accessories for your dining table can improve the look of the room and add a sense of chic style. Invest in a new table runner, placemats and a decorative centerpiece such as a candelabra or large platter.
However you choose to improve your home just remember that moving is not always the answer. Sometimes improving what you have and paying attention to the details can be the perfect solution.
