Design 102: Easy and Cheap Ways to Update Your Home's Décor – Part 1

The cover of a journal/notebook I have had for years states “The best way to get something done is to begin.” So true – but also so much easier said than done, especially when it involves a task you’re just not real comfortable with. For many people, that happens to be updating their home’s design and décor. I am all about encouraging people to tap into their “inner designer” by just “beginning.” So with that in mind, let’s talk about some easy, quick, cheap ways to elevate and update the visual appeal of your home. By taking any one (or two or three) of these steps, you will have started on what I believe is a fun journey of revitalizing your living space!

Let’s BEGIN!!...

1 - Pick ONE room or space.

As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog, the first step in overcoming the overwhelming task of updating your home’s aesthetic is to START SMALL. In this case, choose ONE room or space that you want to revitalize and update. Focus on that one room/space only, and when you are done and are ready, move on to another one.

2 - Decide how much TIME you are willing to invest.

Setting a time limit is important because it gives your brain a kind of ultimatum to get started, make decisions, and complete the task at hand. The time limit you set will depend on your own schedule, and commitments. Can you carve out 3 to 4 hours on a Saturday morning? Do you have a low-key week where you can work a couple hours each day or evening? Or, at this point in your life, is it maybe just a hour that you can spare? Whatever it is that works for you, coming up with a day, time, and amount of time will help you set started.

3 - Decide how much MONEY you want to spend.

Depending on your budget, the options for home décor updating are endless. The No Cost ideas listed below are a great way to kick-start any home design update, especially if you are strapped for both time and cash. Even if you do have some money to spend, starting with No Cost ideas is a great warm-up for revitalizing your home. After that, you can move on to Low Cost and Moderate Cost ideas (featured in my next blog).

4 - Get started and have fun!

As you make changes in the décor and aesthetic of the room, seeing the results of your efforts will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivate you on to bigger and better home design projects. Allow yourself to enjoy the process and learn things about design that you thought you could never do!

No Cost Home Décor Updates

> Cut down on clutter for an instantly updated look

In a quick glance around the room or space, determine which items (both decorative and utilitarian) are of special importance or purpose to you. These should be items that you use almost daily or that make you smile, reminisce, or have value when you see them. Collect these special items and place them together just outside the room/space.

Next, remove all the items remaining on surfaces and place them in a box (or boxes).

Place the special items back into the room and onto the surfaces. While you may be able to find new spots for some of them, others may need to go back to the spot they were originally. Experiment with placement knowing that finding new spots for existing items is terrific way of revitalizing any space.

Finally, look through your boxed items. Based on their importance or purpose, determine if they should be placed back in the room, stored in a cabinet or closet, or discarded. Your goal should be to not put more than ¼ of those items back in the room. (So ¾ of those items should be stored or discarded).

>Create arrangements on coffee tables, end tables, and table centers using items you already have in your house

Stack books horizontally on a coffee table. Add a small potted plant and candle to complete the look.

Place a lamp, small decorative boxes or vases, and coasters on end tables. Don’t overdo the placement of objects on the tables though.

Center a wooden or glass bowl with fruit (real or artificial), pine cones, or decorative ball spheres on a dining table or countertop. Add placemats for color that coordinates with the bowl arrangement.

>Rearrange furniture pieces to create a new look

Reposition furniture into various arrangements. Don’t be afraid to try a variety of arrangements to see which ones work best in the space. Also, don’t be afraid to REMOVE furniture pieces that do not serve a purpose in the space or take up too much space!

Determine (or create) the focal point of the room/space. The focal point might be a fireplace, TV, large picture window, or even the center of the room. Think about who will be using the room and how they will interact with each other based on the arrangement of the furniture.

>Clean up windows and sills

Let the light shine in!!  Windows have design qualities that naturally enhance interior spaces. Don’t forget to clean the glass and keep clutter on the sills and ledges to a bare minimum.

Take down old, dated, and/or dusty valances and drapes. If you already have blinds in the windows, consider letting them be the only window treatments since they provide privacy as well as shade and light in the room.