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You’re reading this because your place feels gross to you in one way or another.
But hey, you’re not alone.
I’m writing this because I feel the exact same way - I constantly want to update my house to make it feel better.
Sometimes, things just get old. Your taste changes.
Or your furniture doesn’t fit the new 80” TV you need to install.
Changing things up is healthy, like anything in life.
Try new things to break up the routine because whether you can feel it or not, you’re changing every single day.
The good news is that it’s summer and there will be many too-hot-to-handle days where you just want to stay in and hide from the sweltering heat.
So, for those of you who need to keep busy this is a great time to give the place a facelift.
I know you’re constantly seeing #homedecorideas on Instagram that feel WAYYY out of your league.
“Down the road” home goals, I call them. But I got tired of waiting until I had enough money to afford $1000 pieces of furniture on a whim.
This is your life NOW, and your funds shouldn’t dictate what you’re capable of having.
Well, it definitely will to an extent - but not when it comes to your home decor.
Here are some simple and cheap ways to refresh your apartment, house, condo, or whatever type of dwelling you’ve set up shop in.
#1: REVAMPING YOUR DECOR WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
I know I know… where to start, right?
I’ll list some things that could maybe uses some upgrades and changes:
#2: REPLACE YOUR APPLIANCES
There’s a huge opportunity here - a massive gamut of things to replace.
From cabinet knobs, dresser handles, kitchen faucets, a staircase railing, a knife block, or a wall shelf, there are a gazillion things for you to scrutinize in your place.
You’ll be surprised at how much a coffee maker or a shelf can completely change a room.
And after you replace it, it will be the one object in the room you’ll keep returning to and happily gazing at it.
You know what I’m talking about.
Here’s the thing with replacing items - you probably can’t afford to do this all the time or whenever you have an itch to do so.
So, replace your old, tired things with unique items you’ll want to have around for a long time.
#3: ADD AN ACCENT WALL
Make something unexpected in your space. Go bold or go home.
Repaint all the walls or just one. From hand-painted polka dots to neon pink, you’ve got options.
Take half an hour to go to Home Depot and pick out a color to match the mood you want in your room.
Walls that are very dark tend to feel smaller, like a black hole in the room.
It’s better to pick a middle tone or something even lighter, especially if it’s a small space.
The bigger the room the more you’ll be likely to get away with a deep navy or burgundy wall.
Otherwise, it may close in on you.
#4: CHANGE UP THE WINDOW AND CURTAINS
Ah, the light sources of any room are super duper important.
The window framing, the curtains, the panels, etc. matter when considering a room’s decor. And granted, you obviously don't have to replace the windows just to get a fresh feeling.
The frame and curtains however are definitely good options to switch up.
With a few basic power tools or even with the help of a Lowes or Home Depot associate, you can custom-cut lamber framing to make new window frames.
Don’t worry, not all lumber is through-the-roof expensive.
While hardwoods like walnut, oak, or cherry will look amazing anywhere, they also cost about $10 per foot. Ouch!
Pine will definitely do in this case. It takes wood stain very well so you can make it look like any of those hardwoods.
So, customizing the color of your window frames will do wonders for a room.
Additionally, let’s talk about curtains.
If you have a pattern on the wall, chances are you SHOULD NOT get patterned curtains.
Patterns on patterns will make you dizzy with claustrophobia and add visual clutter to the room.
So, that’s a DON’T.
Remember that white and black colored fabrics show dust the second it lands.
Middle tones are best for curtains so you’re not dusting till the cows come home every single weekend.
Middle toned curtains also work well because they blend in better to the walls and other home decor accents.
#5: ADD A THROW BLANKET, THROW PILLOW, OR LADDER ORGANIZER
A throw blanket can seriously renovate your couch.
Plus, it isn’t nearly as expensive as a new couch.
This is your chance to pick accent colored pillows that will enhance the room.
Like I said before, if you’ve already got patterns everywhere, then buy solid colored pillows or throws.
A ladder organizer for throw blankets will activate a bland wall that needs some love.
If you’re not into wall art, tons of wall shelving, or even mirrors, then this can compensate for that.
The goal here is to add a complimenting color or texture to the room’s vibe, so keep in mind how it will work with everything else.
Just because you like a color or pattern doesn’t mean it will work well in the space!
#6: DIY STRUCTURES YOU CAN BUILD YOURSELF (for the builders out there)
Ever wanted exposed beams or exposed brick? Yep, we all crave that look.
Here’s a crazy thought for you: YOU CAN ADD YOUR OWN!
What are exposed beams other than crucial support elements needed to keep a roof over your head?
They’re just pieces of wood.
If you own a drill or can borrow one, buy some screws, and purchase some cheap lumber from Home Depot or my personal favorite store, Second Chance located in Baltimore, MD, then you can set up some exposed beams all by yourself.
Granted, you’ll need a ladder too. Doesn’t this sound like a fun Sunday project?!?
Here are some more ideas for you builders out there who want to spice up your pad yourself:
