Want to transform and revitalize your living spaces? Follow these simple tips.
By Lori Gilder for Divine Caroline
After the fanfare of the holidays dies down, and we are done purging, cleaning, and reflecting on 2010, It’s time to breathe some new life into our homes, and give ourselves a well-deserved design infusion to rejuvenate our souls for the upcoming year.
Giving your home some TLC doesn’t have to cost a fortune, or become a long and arduous process. Here are some very simple and highly effective ways to freshen up your home in the new year.
1. Declutter it! (Degree of difficulty: Easy)
We build our lives, save our memories, and document every nuance of our children’s growth. The next thing we know, we’re inundated with stuff we’ve accumulated over the years—and can’t bear to part with it. Living in a home that is cluttered and disorganized will immediately drain your energy—without you even realizing it.
To eliminate the mess and get you to a peaceful resolve, start by going through every bin, shelf, drawer, and cabinet. Gather all the papers, old toys, books, and back issues of magazines—and get rid of them! Don’t shuffle the clutter from one side of the room to the other. Purge and remove everything from the space you’re about to redesign. Once everything is cleared away, you can start your project.
2. Rearrange it! (Degree of difficulty: Easy)
Once you’ve decluttered your space, start moving things around. Take inventory of the furniture in each room, and start experimenting. Maybe your adorable bedroom chair would look even better in the living room. Maybe that pair of table lamps would revitalize your bedroom ambiance. Paint the entry chandelier in a sleek finish and reintroduce it in the dining room. Don’t be afraid to move your sofa and chairs, and swap out the accessories from room-to-room—all without spending a dime.
3. Paint it or paper it! (Degree of difficulty: Easy to moderate)
For a fresh new look, introduce splashes of color back into the home. With a huge focus on hearth and home, natural colors will be dominating interiors this year. From earthy browns, buttery yellows, tomato reds, pumpkin oranges, or natural greens—there are plenty of options. Or, the dreamy glamour of a more pale, frosted, and opalescent color palette may be more your style.
Another new trend to freshen up your home is the application of wallpaper. I’m thrilled to see the resurgence of grass cloth! This natural wall covering, which was popular back in the ’70s, has returned with even more elegance and sophistication than before. The endless selection of hemps, silks, linens, and metallics, are striking in both traditional and contemporary interiors. These wall coverings add texture and character to the space. This material is the epitome of understated eco-chic, and I love it!
4. Welcome it! (Degree of difficulty: Easy)
Enhance the front entry of your home by welcoming and exuding a positive energy flow for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. Does that sound good? Start by simply creating a focal point somewhere in your foyer. A simple console table, with a favorite piece of art hanging above, highlighted by a sophisticated table lamp—this will evoke a positive feeling each time you and your friends walk through your front door. Add a small water element, or a mirror on the wall perpendicular to the door—this will only help in creating a well-balanced, healthy, and prosperous life.
5. Flower it! (Degree of difficulty: Easy)
Adding fresh flowers to your home décor is the piéce de résistance in any design project, and an instant pick-me-up! Next time you’re shopping for groceries, or you’re at your local farmer’s market, pick up some fresh flowers and create some fun and unique arrangements. You don’t need to spend a fortune—just look for what’s in season, is well priced, and is colorful enough to enhance your mood. Place them in colorful glasses, pitchers, or clear bowls, and sprinkle these arrangements throughout your home. I do this every week—and it makes me happy.