Is it just me, or is there something about springtime that makes everyone want to give their home a makeover? If you’ve been feeling that itch to freshen up the look of your home, I’ve got some good news for you: you don’t have to spend a dime to refresh the look of your home!
In this post, I’ll share 7 simple steps you can take to refresh the look and feel of any area in your house. By the end of this post, you’ll see just how easy it can be to freshen up your home decor without buying anything!
How To Refresh The Look Of Your Home Without Spending A Dime
Step 1 – Declutter
No matter what area of your home needs an overhaul, the best place to start is with some good old-fashioned decluttering. Get rid of unnecessary items and things that don’t contribute to the look and feel you’re trying to achieve in that room.
(Don’t have a particular look or feel in mind yet? Never fear! There’s nothing wrong with figuring it out as you go, and the remaining steps in this process will offer plenty of opportunities to experiment with different looks.)
Step 2 – Repair
While you’re decluttering, make note of any items that need maintenance or repairs. Making simple repairs, removing stains, and lubricating squeaks and creaks can go a long way toward improving how you feel about your space and the stuff in it!
Focus on simple repairs you can do with the stuff you already have at home. For instance, if you don’t like the color of some of the frames you have, feel free to paint them if you have paint on hand!
Step 3 – Rearrange
Once you’ve finished making repairs and cleaning things up, try rearranging the major pieces of furniture in your space. Rearranging a room (or even repositioning things) is one of the easiest ways to make your space feel brand new!
There’s no pressure on you to get it exactly right the first time, so try not to sweat this step too much. You can always rearrange it again if the first attempt doesn’t feel quite right, but try to stick with a new arrangement for a few days at least to get a better idea of what you actually dislike, and what simply feels different.
Step 4 – “Shop”
Once you’ve rearranged the major pieces of furniture in the space, it’s time to move on to the larger decorative elements. Take a tour of the rest of your house to “shop” for items that you can display in the space you’re working on.
Look for wall art, framed objects, candlesticks, and other decorative elements that would look nice in your redesigned space. (And don’t forget to look through your storage for great finds you may have forgotten about!)
Step 5 – Style
Next, evaluate “styled” display areas like open shelves, bookcases, coffee tables, etc. If you have decorative knick knacks anywhere that have been displayed in the same spot for years, swapping them out for something else can have a dramatic effect on the space!
If you have a lot of decorative knick knacks that you love and want to display, consider rotating your display items regularly. Find a bin or box to store the majority of your knick-knacks in, and then once a month or so, swap out whatever you have on display with items from the box. It’s an easy way to continue enjoying your favorite knick-knacks while also reducing clutter.
Step 6 – Think Natural
Consider ways you can bring natural elements into the space. This can be as simple as adding a vase of fresh-cut flowers from your garden, or even displaying an interesting branch on a shelf or wall.
Incorporating natural elements into your decor adds texture and a feeling of freshness, and will help make the space more inviting and relaxing.
More Ideas You'll Love
Step 7 – Embrace The Everyday
Finally, look for ways to “embrace the everyday” in your space. It’s easy to get lost in the details when decorating, but refocusing on the purpose of the space can help you create the perfect lived-in look.
For instance, comfort is key in a bedroom, while organization and function are more important in a home office. Keep those functions in mind and draw attention to everyday items as you put the finishing touches on your newly refreshed space! :-)
Which room or area in your home could use a makeover like this?
I have two or three boxes with different decorations in them,more summery items and more wintery items. I also have different holiday items. I rotate them as the seasons change or a holiday is coming. Now it’s Memorial day so I have some red white and blue lights,some berry stems in the same colors etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One of the easiest spaces in my home to change regularly is my dining room table. I have a collection of colorful tablecloths that I rotate along with ceramic baskets and serving bowls that hold lemons, limes, oranges, and even potatoes, shallots, and garlic. Sometimes melons join the mix, sometimes flowers that I place in one of my collection of ceramic pitchers. It always give me a lift to see different colors and patterns and since the dining room table is visible in my very open concept home (think bowling alley here!), from either the front door or the lanai in the back, the simple rotation magically perks up the entire space.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for this – less is more! I started “shopping” my house several years back and have been rotating my decor by the season for several years now, although I have made inexpensive purchases of items that fit my style. I keep several glass apothecary jars out year-round and just change the contents, sometimes with the most “ordinary” things like fall leaves or empty cotton bolls. More recently I’ve been trying to stretch my creative skills to make things myself – like pillow forms using old t-shirts so that I can add zippers to my decorative pillows and simply “unstuff” and store the covers when not in use.
I’m also a huge fan of #7 – elevating everyday, practical items to home-decor by displaying things like dry goods, dog/cat treats, bars of soap, wood cleaning brushes and of course books, out in the open.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Your suggestions are perfect! I’ve done staging for a large real estate office and what you’ve come up with is all good! The first “decorating” thing in my opinion before anything else is – Clean, Clean, Clean. Make everything smell great. The rest is frosting on the cupcake. Thanks for a great post!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I did the rotation of the collectibles a few years ago and forgot where I put them. Happy surprise recently when I came upon them. So don’t forget where you stored the “off” group. And a bonus — I found I could throw some of them out since I had gotten used to their absence. One more step to decluttering.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Really love your thoughts/guidance on this topic. Readers might consider seasonal containers for their beloved items. I have at least 1 clear plastic tub for each season and others as well; such as ‘January’ or ‘Summer’. By the time each season or holiday arrives it feels like a visit with old friends when I set out the items.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You look so extra pretty in the second photo Jillee! I love this!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I agree – she looks great in yellow, too!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you so much, Milli! You made my day. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.