After all the fanfare of the holidays die down and we are done purging, cleaning and reflecting on 2010, its time to breathe some new life into our homes and give ourselves a well deserved design infusion to rejuvenate and restore our souls for the upcoming year.
Giving your home some TLC doesn’t have to cost a fortune or become a long and arduous process. Here are some very simple and highly effective ways to freshen up your home in this New Year.
1. De-clutter it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy)
We build our lives, save our memories, and document every nuance of our children’s growth. The next thing we know we’re inundated with stuff we’ve accumulated over the years and can’t part with. Living in a home that is cluttered and disorganized will immediately drain your energy – without even realizing it.
To eliminate the mess and get you to a peaceful resolve start by going through every bin, shelf, drawer and cabinet. Gather all the papers, old toys, books and back issues of magazines – and get rid of them! Don’t shuffle the clutter from one side of the room to the other. Purge and remove everything from the space you’re about to redesign. Only once everything is cleared away, you can start your project
2. Re-arrange it! (Degree of Difficulty –easy)
Once you’ve de-cluttered your space start moving things around. Take inventory of the furniture in each room and start experimenting. Maybe your adorable bedroom chair would look even better in the living room, and those pair of table lamps would revitalize your bedroom ambiance. Paint out the entry chandelier in a sleek finish and re-introduce it in the dining room. Don’t be afraid to move your sofa and chairs and swap out the accessories from room to room without spending a dime.
3. Paint it or Paper it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy to moderate)
For a fresh new look introduce splashes of color back into the home. With a huge focus on hearth and home, natural colors will be dominating interiors this year. From earthy browns, buttery yellows to tomatoes, pumpkins and greens or the dreamy glamour of a more pale, frosted and opalescent color palette may be more your style.
Another new trend to freshen up your home is the application of wallpapers.
I’m thrilled to see the resurgence of grasscloth! This natural wall covering that was popular back in the ‘70’s has returned with even more elegance and sophistication than before. The endless selection of hemps, silks, linens and metallics, are striking in both traditional and contemporary interiors – instantly adding texture and character to the space. This material is the epitome of understated Eco-Chic. – Love it!
4. Welcome it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy)
Enhance the front entry of your home by welcoming and exuding a positive energy flow into your home for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Sound good? Start by simply creating a focal point somewhere in your foyer. A simple console table with a favorite piece of art hanging above, highlighted by a sophisticated table lamp – will evoke a positive feeling each time you and your friends walk through your front door. Add a small water element or a mirror on the wall perpendicular to the door will only help in creating a well-balanced, healthy and prosperous life.
5. Flower it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy)
Adding fresh flowers to your home décor is the piece de resistance in any design project and an instant pick-me-up! Next time you’re shopping for groceries or at your local farmer’s market pick up some fresh flowers and create some fun and unique arrangements. You don’t need to spend a fortune, just look for what’s in season, well priced and colorful enough to enhance your mood. Place them in colorful glasses, pitchers or clear bowl and sprinkle these arrangements throughout your home. I do this every week – it makes me happy.
I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report:
“15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”
Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.
1. De-clutter it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy)
We build our lives, save our memories, and document every nuance of our children’s growth. The next thing we know we’re inundated with stuff we’ve accumulated over the years and can’t part with. Living in a home that is cluttered and disorganized will immediately drain your energy – without even realizing it.
To eliminate the mess and get you to a peaceful resolve start by going through every bin, shelf, drawer and cabinet. Gather all the papers, old toys, books and back issues of magazines – and get rid of them! Don’t shuffle the clutter from one side of the room to the other. Purge and remove everything from the space you’re about to redesign. Only once everything is cleared away, you can start your project
2. Re-arrange it! (Degree of Difficulty –easy)
Once you’ve de-cluttered your space start moving things around. Take inventory of the furniture in each room and start experimenting. Maybe your adorable bedroom chair would look even better in the living room, and those pair of table lamps would revitalize your bedroom ambiance. Paint out the entry chandelier in a sleek finish and re-introduce it in the dining room. Don’t be afraid to move your sofa and chairs and swap out the accessories from room to room without spending a dime.
3. Paint it or Paper it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy to moderate)
For a fresh new look introduce splashes of color back into the home. With a huge focus on hearth and home, natural colors will be dominating interiors this year. From earthy browns, buttery yellows to tomatoes, pumpkins and greens or the dreamy glamour of a more pale, frosted and opalescent color palette may be more your style.
Another new trend to freshen up your home is the application of wallpapers.
I’m thrilled to see the resurgence of grasscloth! This natural wall covering that was popular back in the ‘70’s has returned with even more elegance and sophistication than before. The endless selection of hemps, silks, linens and metallics, are striking in both traditional and contemporary interiors – instantly adding texture and character to the space. This material is the epitome of understated Eco-Chic. – Love it!
4. Welcome it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy)
Enhance the front entry of your home by welcoming and exuding a positive energy flow into your home for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Sound good? Start by simply creating a focal point somewhere in your foyer. A simple console table with a favorite piece of art hanging above, highlighted by a sophisticated table lamp – will evoke a positive feeling each time you and your friends walk through your front door. Add a small water element or a mirror on the wall perpendicular to the door will only help in creating a well-balanced, healthy and prosperous life.
5. Flower it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy)
Adding fresh flowers to your home décor is the piece de resistance in any design project and an instant pick-me-up! Next time you’re shopping for groceries or at your local farmer’s market pick up some fresh flowers and create some fun and unique arrangements. You don’t need to spend a fortune, just look for what’s in season, well priced and colorful enough to enhance your mood. Place them in colorful glasses, pitchers or clear bowl and sprinkle these arrangements throughout your home. I do this every week – it makes me happy.
I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”
Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.
I stumbled avross your site whilst looking for ideas to freshen up the house after a dark and miserable winter period. I have read through countless sites and they always advise you to spend spend spend even thought the titles always state the ideas being free or cheap. It really is refreshing to finally come across a site that has both insperational ideas and uses common sense. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Kind Regards Candy
Thanks so much Candy. Simple and easy strategies…….to stay warm, comfortable and stylish this winter.