Spend just a little bit of time on social media and you’ll probably notice how frequently you’re told about the 5 things needed to improve your diet or daily routine. If you love fashion you’ll no doubt be inundated with influencers sharing their 10 closet essentials. Rarely though do I see anyone sharing the items that can make the biggest impact in our rooms. No major renovation required. These are just simple items that can make your room feel refreshed and vibrant.
From flowers to furniture, these are the 10 items and tips I always rely on with clients to help them refresh a tired space. Guaranteed to be designer approved!
1/ A Great Piece of Art
There’s no way to identify what a great piece of art looks like for you because this is extremely personal. Your design style should have an impact on the style you choose but in terms of colours, subject matter and theme, that’s entirely up to you.
And before you scroll, I’m not an art snob and I don’t think that great art has to be original pieces alone. If you’re looking for budget friendly pieces there are loads to be found at great prices on Etsy or in store at Homesense. Be on the lookout for art sales in parks during warmer months or even at your local college or university.
2/ Books
Whenever my clients have shelves that need to be styled I know I’ll always incorporate books. They look great, they add texture and colour but even more importantly, they add height. One of the most common styling mistakes I see is that shelves are filled with small decor items that are all similar in height. The best styling tip is to create multiple elevations laying a few books sideways and adding small items on top.
PRO TIP: If you have books but the colour of the spines don’t work with your room’s design just flip them around so that the spine is faced towards the back of the shelf. I love the look of a stack of books with the pages showing. It’s calm and neutral and does the job without the distraction of too much colour.
3/ Plants or Branches
There’s something so special about bringing a piece of nature into our homes. It creates instant warmth and gives any room an instant refresh. Flowers and plants are the obvious go-to but don’t overlook what’s right outside your front door. If you’re lucky enough to live near nature you can collect interesting branches and maybe a bit of greenery. This brings texture, height, colour and a lot of visual interest into a room.
If you’re an urban dweller you can either purchase branches from your local florist or visit Etsy for some amazing faux branches. There are some lovely and realistic looking magnolia, pussy willow or apple branches that will brighten up any room.
4/ Lamps
Most homes are underlit and lamps can resolve that issue but they offer more than just illuminate. Since there’s an endless variety of options this can be treated like a decor item. Need some shine and sparkle? Go for glass or mercury glass. Want to add some texture to your room? Give a woven lamp a try. And if you love colour you’ll find a lamp in every shade of the rainbow. Want to learn more about the 3 types of lighting that every room should have? Read this post.
5/ Rugs
Nothing creates an impact in a room as much as a rug. If you don’t have one, I would strongly suggest you start here when you’re trying to give your room a refresh. The amount of space they take up is significant and they’ll add a ton of character to your space. A rug also helps to define your style. It’s essentially the glue that holds the entire room together.
A room without a rug is definitely missing some of the warmth and texture that helps create softness. Think of it as the art piece for your floor.
6/ Paint
You’ve probably heard designers saying “it’s just paint” when referring to how easy painting and repainting a room can be. While there’s a decent amount of manual labour involved in painting a room, it can instantly change the look and feel of any room. If you’re really tired of your space and you feel like you’ve done all you can with furniture and decor, paint will be your BFF.
There’s little else we can do that will make such a big impact on your space. If you jumped on the grey trend and are now wanting to embrace something more bold you’ll instantly liven up your space by changing from grey to deep blue, green or burgundy. Even a more subtle change from grey to pale green or light yellow can have a profound effect on how you enjoy the space.
And just like I did in this entry for my clients you can change the look of a space simply by painting a small section of your room or home. Think of how different this entryway would look if the woodwork had been painted in white. The navy gives such a powerful personality to the whole area.
If you need some guidance, you can read these posts where I share my favourite Benjamin Moore paint colours and my favourite Sherwin Williams paint colours.
7/ Statement Decor Items
A common mistake I see in homes is having too many small decor items all that compete with each other. Instead, splurge on a single statement piece that will elevate your room. Something like a large bowl for the centre of your coffee table will instantly change the look from cluttered and busy to sleek and elegant. A single piece gives the impression of understated luxury in a way that you can’t achieve with too many small pieces.
I know decor is very tricky for a non-designer and can create a cycle of buy and return on a seemingly endless loop. I offer decor services for you if that sounds familiar. Check out my Decor to Go service and put an end to the never ending shopping trips to HomeSense.
8/ Replace Dated Furniture
Sometimes when we’re unhappy with our room we want to throw out everything and start from scratch. It’s possible that just a single chair or table is bringing down the aesthetic of an entire room.
Take a look at your space and examine each piece. Does it feel like you? Does it feel current or timeless (this will depend on your design style)? If not, consider replacing it with something that’s more reflective of your current taste. Just a single swap can update a tired looking room.
9/ Add Textured Fabric
This tip is especially important for those of you who have leather furniture. While it looks great and it’s easy to maintain with kids and pets, it can look cold. Make sure you have pillows and throws to break up the leather. You might even consider adding a textured ottoman to go along with a leather chair. The combination will help soften the sharp feel of the leather and give it a more comfortable aesthetic.
Aside from pillows and throws, consider whether your windows need curtains. If you have a large, expansive space you may find that the tall walls and windows, while architecturally beautiful, need to be balanced with some texture. I love the look of beautiful custom curtains but if it’s not in your budget some large home retailers sell great ready-to-hang panels. These will do the trick and bring a much needed warmth to your space.
10/ Rearrange Furniture
While this one isn’t an item to purchase it can make a big difference on how you feel about the space. Maybe you’ve always had your furniture in exactly the same position but have you considered whether there’s a better way to arrange your pieces?
The positive effect could be simply better aesthetics but it might be something bigger. You can have an impact on the traffic flow of your home by rearranging large pieces. Play around and see if one configuration makes you feel more comfortable than the other options.
I hope these tips give you the confidence to go and try a room refresh. If you need more help reach out to me. I’d love to discuss your decorating needs and explain how I can help you.
