Let’s face it, home renovations can be EXPENSIVE. When Matt and I moved to our new home (almost two years ago), we created a laundry list of renovations, additions, etc. While we have to wait on the big things (basement, garage, wainscoting to name a few). I knew there were several items I could add to make our house a home. Some minor installations, some not even installations at all. In this post, I’m going to go room by room and share some inexpensive ways to transform your home!
Living/Family Room
- rugs – a large area rug is a great option for your home transformation. Especially great when you have an open floor plan like we do. It helps separate the space between our living area and kitchen. A rug can add warmth and comfort to hardwood floors.
- flowers or house plants – not only can a house plant enhance your space, but did you know they can also boost your mood, too? I recently just purchased this POTTERY BARN PLANTER. Archie will soon be replaced with a house plant (hopefully one I can keep alive).
- accessorize – don’t underestimate the power of a window treatment (blinds, shutters or shades), a throw blanket or pillow. Adding a throw blanket to your couch can make the room feel more comfy/cozy. Sometime’s even changing the lamp shade atop of that side table can change the room for the better!
- mirror – did you know adding a mirror could make a room look double the size? A full length mirror is a great decor piece for a bare wall. Having a good mirror makes a big difference.
Kitchen
- light fixtures – change your whole space simply by changing your light fixture. Adding more light can improve any room of the home. When you walk into our home, the eye directly goes to the light fixtures above our table and countertop. Our light fixtures establish the flow of our home. Above our table, the light matches the wood of the table. A few feet away, hang chrome pendant lights which match the hardware of our kitchen. This helps distinguish our dinning area from our kitchen.
- faucet – change it not only for the look, but also for the function. They’re usually inexpensive. If you’re saving, why not purchase a faucet with a pull down hose to make dish cleaning a bit easier?
- kitchen cabinet hardware – a really small change that makes a BIG difference. Adding black to kitchen cabinets can really elevate the look in any kitchen.
- update plates, utensils and mugs – you use these items every day. Purchase a complete set to complete the look in your kitchen.
- coffee bar – one of my most favorite areas of my home! Don’t splurge on a large piece of furniture (esp if you’re living in a small space or apartment. Grab a bar cart on wheels and use it as a designated coffee space. Great for displaying your Nespresso maker or coffee mugs, but also great for storage of coffee and tea items too!
Hallway
- carpet stair runner – this was one of the first items we “outsourced” when we moved in. The combination of an open floor plan and the neutral colors of our home, left our stairs looking plain and bare. Not only is carpeting more functional now with a little one, it really added more to this area of the house.
Bedroom
- curtains – Hang your curtains above the window and purchase several inches longer so they hit the floor. Longer curtains instantly make your room look more luxurious (of course luxury wasn’t what we were going for in Archie’s nursery, but this curtain tip works for any room in the house). If you’re not looking to spend on furniture, this is a great save. I purchased these curtains off Amazon for a little over $30 and they made the room come together and look complete.
- switch plates – This may seem minute, but changing out the boring white light switch panels is a small transformation with big results.
- invest in your bedding – After all, you do use it every night! I purchased the Belgian linen duvet cover from Pottery Barn. The quality of this duvet cover gets better after every wash. I saved on the pillows and found them on clearance at home sense. Save on your pillows! Pick up throw pillows and blankets from home sense or home goods.
- add texture – adding texture like: linen, boucle and velvet can help elevate your space as well. I’m leaving some of my favorites below.
- framed prints / canvas – save on the wall art and order a canvas or print to put in a pretty picture frame. Art is usually last on the list when creating a room unless you already have a piece that you love. Since our bedroom is still TBD, I picked up these canvas pictures and placed them in gold frames. The pictures were inexpensive along with the frames.
Bathroom
- match shower curtains to bath mats to vanity accessories – there’s not too much you can do with a bathroom, but matching shower curtains to bath mats can help provide a cohesive look. Matching soap dispensers, soap dishes and toothbrush holders can help as well.
- make your shower curtain your statement piece – It’s typically the largest piece in the room, which makes it the focal point. So, have fun with the shower curtain and work the other pieces of the bathroom around it!
- invest in your towels – just like your bedding, you use your towels often. Purchase a set that will wash well and then display your towels on the wall with a beautiful towel rack or hook! This will also take up space on a blank bathroom wall. Picture your towels and towel hooks like you would an art piece. I know it sounds silly, but think of it as functional decor :).
At the end of the day, you’re the one living in your space. What works for you, may not work for someone else. Make YOUR house YOUR home and have fun with it! I hope you’ve enjoyed these tips and tricks. I’ll see you Friday for the Weekly WrapUp!