Picking off from where we ended last time, hopefully, you have already found your design identity. Do not worry if it might take some time, as I mentioned. But you still want to continue reading, so you will know what to do with it once you discover it.
It’s time to bring this newfound style into your space and put all of these under one roof. Choose the area of your home that you want to start with first. Like our New Year’s resolutions, we usually do not start everything immediately. We begin with a tiny change. So think small, for now – it can be a corner of a room or simply a wall.
Once you have identified the space, you need to plan what you want to do with it, if you need help implementing it, and how long the simple refresh will take. Are you going to repaint the wall? Stencil patterns? Hang artworks? Spruce it up with decor and plants? The possibilities are endless.
Now you know what to do, list the items you will need. Save it in your phone’s notes for easy access. I like writing these lists in my notebook so I can quickly jot down remarks if adjustments need to be made, and it won’t run out of battery.
RESEARCH ONLINE
Next is research where you can purchase the items you need. As a designer, I already have a collection of suppliers and stores for every item, but it might be a different case for you. If you are pretty unfamiliar with which stores carry the items you need, I suggest the following:
Check product reviews from people – what they like with it, whether there are technical concerns after a specific time, or if it is worth the money. Check the photos and especially the descriptions. You thought you might be buying a cute couch, but when it arrived, it was actually for a cat. You could check the product if you have time, which is my next suggestion.
CHECK STORES NEAR YOU
You will be surprised that there are multiple stores in your area that you have yet to notice. This is an opportunity to inspect it closely and test the actual product. You can ask the store questions about the specifications, and they can also give alternatives. This is a great way to connect with people, support local businesses, and establish a network of suppliers for your future projects.
Now, it is time to purchase or refurbish. Or both. Buying items is exciting but can get overwhelming when faced with many choices. What I do is list the products that meet my criteria and compare them – price, finish options, production time, etc. Sometimes, I have five options for a dining chair, which usually boils down to which store can meet my deadline.
You can ask yourself the following questions when selecting the pieces for your simple refresh:
DO I HAVE SUFFICIENT SPACE?
Measure the area where you plan to put the item. To ensure that the piece you’re buying fits, bring your tape measure into the shop or take a good look at the description of items on the website. The last thing you want is an item that physically won’t fit your space or is out of scale. I want to discuss scale and proportion, but we will save this for another discussion.
IS THIS WITHIN MY BUDGET?
If not, keep looking. You’ll find something similar or better. Trust me, we have done this many times for our projects, and we still end up happy even with the value-engineered (read: cheaper) alternatives. Remember, having a huge impact does not have to be expensive.
IS IT COMPATIBLE WITH THE LOOK OF MY CURRENT SPACE?
It may not be since you’ll refresh a tiny portion of your space, especially if the new style is entirely different. Still, if you love the result of your initial redecoration, you’ll likely continue it to the rest of your house. Consult your Pinterest board if you feel overwhelmed!
DOES THIS PIECE APPEAL TO ME?
Does it make me happy? Is there any other function than purely decorative? You don’t have to worry if it’s just decorative and brings a smile to your face, but you should consider items that can do more than one function. It will be an excellent value for money.
Here are some simple refresh ideas that you might want to consider:
FRAMES AND ARTWORKS
To brighten your walls, hang a series of paintings, frames, and mirrors. Be it in a grid or random layout. You can find a lot of resources on the internet on different arrangements. I suggest adding 3D elements like small sculptures and objects to add depth.
Trade secret: add Blu Tack (a reusable putty-like pressure-sensitive adhesive) to the bottom corners of your frames to keep them in place.
ACCENT FURNITURE
Purchase an accent chair or table and set it up as a focal point of the room. Work around it by selecting other pieces that can fit with that style.
This will eventually trickle down to other elements of your space, and you’ll be surprised that you have completely changed the mood of the whole room.
If your budget wouldn’t allow it, consider custom slipcovers for your armchair and sofa or repaint your table.
WINDOW TREATMENTS
It is also possible to make a huge difference by simply changing the window treatment. Think about combining sheer curtains with heavier fabrics, which provides flexibility in how the room is lit naturally.
Use the sheer in the morning to filter harsh sunlight and the heavier or blackout fabric when you need privacy. Even if you can’t see it, adding a new scent through candles or diffusers can also immediately change the room’s mood.
LIGHTING
Changing your lighting fixture and the bulb temperature is another small change that will have a significant impact. I suggest a table or floor lamp since you might need an electrician to install a wall or ceiling lamp. Suppose you want drama, why not an uplight?
Bulb temperature is equally essential – select warm white to create a relaxing ambiance. Save the cool white and daylight for kitchen and toilet lighting where tasks need to be done.
The whole atmosphere of my all-white living room was transformed when I bought a white ceramic table lamp. I’m barely using my ceiling lights now because the light from the lamp is just enough for me.
The thing you need in your room might be a statement lamp with a lovely linen shade and warm lighting!
PILLOWS AND BLANKETS
Add new pillow covers or throw blankets to enhance your sofa and bedspread. Think boucle, linen, and embroidered cotton. Combine different textures and materials to create drama.
DECORATIVE OBJECTS
On your coffee table, desk, or shelves, layer objects such as vases, sculptural bowls, books, and other decorative items of different scales. Feel free to mix and match old and new pieces.
FUNCTIONAL OBJECTS
The toilet will be a little more complicated because most of the fixtures are fixed. We can focus on smaller objects such as a soap dish, a wall mirror, or even the bath mat.
PLANTS
It’s excellent to add plants too! It can easily add height and lushness. Look for plants that are easy to maintain, particularly if you’re not a green thumb like me. You can play around with the planter shape and color. Plants can provide a feeling of respite after a long day.
These simple refresh ideas are an excellent start if you’d like to update your space. And I hope you’ll be inspired to work on the rest of your home.
How about you? Which part of your house do you want to start redecorating?