Some of us love clean modern lines and graphic contrast while others prefer more rustic and eclectic designs. No matter your preference, don’t get stuck in a one-look-wonder with the same decor you’ve had for the past decade. You’ve devoted a great deal of time to achieve a home that reflects your aesthetic, so it can be difficult to part with some of those labors of love that brought your rooms to life. Luckily, you don’t have to completely start from scratch when you freshen up your design.
We’re going to ask you to look at your home through new eyes. Don’t just think about the effort that it initially took to find the perfect 22-inch-by-17-inch monochromatic painting of a goat. We also don’t want you to toss out your favorite Motherwell. We do want you to see where you can make minor tweaks and changes to give your living space a fresh touch for spring. Maybe create a bit of space to embrace The Alchemy of Things this spring.
If you want to update your decor, but you do not want to invest the time it takes to start over, try some of these ideas to brighten and update your design.
1. Turn Your Statement Artwork into a Gallery Wall
If the same statement piece has hovered over your sofa for the past decade, it’s time to add excitement to your room by adding more art to your wall. You don’t even need to take down your existing painting.
Hang an assortment of photos and paintings surrounding your anchor painting. You can go for a more eclectic look with a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, or you can keep it more toned-down by choosing paintings with a corresponding color-scheme and similar shapes.
After you update your wall art, you’ll be surprised by how much attention your original focal piece will draw once it becomes a conversation piece. New art can also boost your mood and inspire even more creativity.
2. Get Fresh with Some Fresh Blossoms
If you don’t decorate with floral arrangements already, you need to start! Flowers are an excellent way to add color and vibrancy to a room. You can pick up different arrangements throughout the year and never settle on just one selection. This will give guests a sense of excitement since they’ll want to see what flowers you’ve displayed each time they visit.
Flowers aren’t for everyone. Choose some succulents or hanging house plants to bring the outside in. Succulents don’t require much time, effort, or water, and they come in a wide range of sizes and colors. Most even produce flowers once in a while.
3. Change Your Accent Wall Color
Remember when accents walls were the most exciting trend in design? While they’re still an amazing way to add fun hues to a room, you may want to consider updating yours. An all-white look or a white with cream or tan color scheme can bring a modern flair to your room.
Wallpaper is another way to spice up your design in a fresh and innovative way. You can choose the brightest floral print, a bold geometric design, or a graphic drawing. This can be a great way to have fun and go wild without all the painter’s tape and potential splatter.
4. Try New Drapes
Outdated drapes can really drag down your room’s mood. Not only to heavy window coverings keep dark rooms even dimmer, but they collect dust and odors. Light colored curtains can add lightness and brightness to a room in the spring. Try linen curtains. You can even update the pattern to be a bit more contemporary.
If you have white or light color curtains already, try dying them ombre. This is a great way to repurpose what you have and add a pop of color.
5. Paint a Furniture Piece or Two
It would be a crime to paint certain antiques, but other pieces of furniture could use a coat of color. If you want to spruce up an old piece, try picking up a latex or oil based semi-gloss paint and getting to work. Painting the back surface of your bookshelves to just give a hint of color can breathe new life into an area that doesn’t receive a lot of attention.
You can also get creative with wallpaper. Try facing your dresser drawers with geometric patterned wallpaper. You can update your hardware while you’re at it.
6. Update Your Pillows
Pillows tend to get tired and sag with just a few years worth of wear. They can bring your design down and make guests second guess sitting on your sofa. Don’t let your throw pillows put a damper on your decor by re-covering them or picking up some new additions. You can find throw pillow covers online and most fabric in stores.
For a more hygge design, add some thick woven pillows or a light colored faux fur throw. If you want a more modern look, try some tetrahedral pillows in black and white.
7. Fresh Fruit Adds Color and Contrast
Gone are the days of artificial fruit and flowers. Fresh lemons, oranges, limes, and apples can brighten a room and make your guests’ mouths water. Fruit exemplifies spring and the lightness that it embodies. Just make sure you cycle the fruit before too long. It will give you a reason to make fresh-squeezed lemonade or a key lime pie.
Pick up some tropical drapes with orange blossom patterns if you worry about the risk of fruit flies or wasted fruit.
As you contemplate spring cleaning, consider donating or selling any items you no longer love. There’s a great market for secondhand decor, and there’s no sense in wasting what you once cherished. Just register a domain name, and list your items. You can even develop an online shop with finely curated home decor, eventually.
Open the windows and take in the fresh air. Shine a little light on your room and see if anything pops out as needing a little love and attention.