All my life I have been a firm believer that having a house to live in is entirely different from making this house your home. If whenever you enter the house, you don’t feel satisfied with it, then it’s about time you look for ways to refresh your home and revitalize it.
Refreshing your home doesn’t have to be as costly and chaotic as you think it is. If anything, the process can be very smooth and enjoyable, if you find ways that suit you, and a little creativity and resourcefulness. With some minor fixes and home renovation tips, you can turn your house into a home you’re excited to come back to every day. Now, let us get into the how…
How to refresh your home and revitalize it on a budget:
1. Declutter and organize
I like to call this step “The Great Purge”. When you aren’t feeling satisfied with your house, there’s a high chance you don’t need to add more in, but more out. No one enjoys coming home to a messy home, and adding more pieces to an already messy house makes it even worse.
Look at problem areas that have a lot of clutter, and remove any items that you no longer need or use, and find creative storage solutions for the things you want to keep. You can schedule an area to focus on every period so it doesn’t get overwhelming, and when you’re done, you’ll be able to decide whether you need to change things or not. This simple step will help you start your house refresh on the right foot! You’ll open up your space and see clearly what you’d like to add and/or change.
2. Rearrange your furniture
Truth is, choosing the right furniture layout can make or break a house. Without going on a full splurge, consider what you already have and shake things up a bit. Whether it’s the living room or bedroom, move things around a bit and you might be surprised by how different the place feels by just moving around a chair.
Ask questions like, “Are things arranged in the appropriate scales? Are the couches facing the right direction? What about light reflections, are you correctly utilizing them?”
You might even consider switching up rooms. Maybe your dining room might fit better in the living room, or vice versa. The power of moving things around is surprising.
3. When in doubt, paint it out
How can I write an article on how to refresh a home without mentioning repainting? Repainting the house is probably the simplest, yet most effective way to give your house a new feel. I’m not just referring to repainting your walls, you can paint anything that feels shabby – kitchen cabinet, wardrobe, drawers, anything!
Find a piece of furniture that you don’t like… maybe it’s an old cabinet or even your dining table. Whatever it is, try getting some paint and give it a refresh. If you have never tried doing this before, there are tons of tutorials on YouTube that will teach you how, and it’s super easy!
You can choose light, neutral colors if your goal is to make small spaces feel larger. If you’re feeling a bit bold, try giving your furniture a pop of color instead of opting for neutrals to spice up your home and give it some personality.
Pro tip: don’t forget to paint trim and moldings for a polished finish.
4. Switch out a light fixture
I believe that the correct lighting can make a room feel oh-so-designer. When you start looking at room lighting as an essential décor aspect instead of a piece that serves a function, that’s when the game changes. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to find something that’ll check all your boxes.
Take a deep look at your place. What area do you think needs more lighting? Do you have a coffee corner or a dull corner, that needs some brightening up? Consider table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces, etc…
5. Update your window coverings
If your room is a photo, your window coverings are the frame. We all tend to opt for the simplest designs when it comes to window treatments because it’s a safe option for styling. We want a blank canvas to start out with, so we can add on as much as we want later. But how about trying the opposite?
Changing your curtains’ design to something a bit bolder like graphic curtains, exquisite like sheer curtains, or even adding a bit of texture if you don’t feel like going overboard can make a room incredibly unique.
6. Replace your hardware
You’d be surprised by the difference a new set of doorknobs, kitchen accessories, or even matching pulls and faucets can make. They make your house feel polished and clean.
You can choose a standard metal color for all the hardware, mix and match between them, or even add patterned knobs (yes, there are patterned knobs). Replace old drawer pulls, cabinet knows, and outlet covers with stylish new ones for a quick and easy upgrade.
Hardware is the same as accessories; you can choose to dress up or dress down an outfit with accessories. Decide on what look or vibe you want for your house, and accessorize accordingly.
7. Dress up your walls
Having plain old walls is a missed opportunity with all those endless possibilities that will leave your room looking like you hired a top-notch interior designer. And the best thing is that you don’t have to use permanent paint just in case you regret it later.
There is removable wallpaper that comes in all designs and shapes. Bold graphics, trendy patterns, or even galaxies if you’d like. All you have to do is tear it off if you don’t like it, with no residue left on the wall. Another option is to paint one wall a color that complements all others or even add a few molding details. These will add some structure and sophistication to your home.
8. Incorporate textiles
If adding warmth and texture to your home is your goal, then you should add some textiles such as throw pillows, blankets, rugs, and curtains. There are so many affordable options at discount stores, thrift shops, or online marketplaces.
For a more artsy feel, mix and match different patterns and textures and add that visual interest to any room.
9. Add or replace artwork
To add some life to your house, consider adding or replacing artwork. Don’t be scared to remove the ones you’ve had for years and try something new. It’s not uncommon to feel attached to art pieces in your house, but if they no longer fit your aesthetic, or you’ve found better things, you’re better off without them! And if you feel a bit artsy, you can make some art pieces yourself and hang them in your house. It will feel even more special!
10. Bring in plants
Not only will bringing plants indoors help in keeping air fresh, but it’s also an inexpensive way to freshen up your home. And if you’re worried about maintaining them, you can choose low-maintenance plants such as succulents, pothos, or snake plants that thrive in a variety of conditions.
You can place them in decorative pots or baskets to add more life to the house!
11. Shop secondhand
If you’re looking to add some pieces to your house but don’t want to pay a fortune, shopping secondhand is definitely your answer. I personally love to look for antiques in flea markets and have seen some pieces that sell for less than quarter their value!
Take the time to explore thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales, and online marketplaces for unique finds at great prices (or bargain till they’re great). With a little digging, you can find hidden gems to add to your place.
What I love about secondhand shopping is that the piece I add to my house feels like a trophy I won for the effort that went into digging! Makes me love the pieces even more.
If you have any tips to refresh your home that you’ve tried out and would like to share, we’d love to read your comments.