4 Ways to Freshen a Room
with
Anne-Marie Barton
There are simple ways to liven up the look of a room without spending a lot of time or money. Check out these four quick ways to freshen up any room in your home.
Transcript: 4 Ways to Freshen a Room
The number-one question people ask me is, how can I update a room without breaking the bank or enduring a complete remodel? The answer is-you guessed it-in the details.The changes I'm suggesting fall into four main categories:
- Lighting
- Furniture
- Walls
- Accessories
Lighting
There's no doubt that lighting can completely transform a space. In general, you should replace cooler lights with warmer illumination. Add standing lamps, pendants or directional lighting that casts a warm, gentle glow, like this art lamp.And take advantage of taller lighting to draw the eye to high ceilings. Look for dim spots and brighten them with table lamps. See how the red shade picks up the color scheme? Good lighting is like jewelry with an outfit: it makes whatever else you have on look even better.
Furniture
In living rooms and bedrooms, furniture can be rearranged and switched out to maximize space and create cozy sitting or sleeping zones.Change side tables or introduce taller pieces to add interest and scale. Simplify coffee table groupings to facilitate drink-setting and add to the room's clean feel.
For kitchens, consider removing dated cabinetry and installing affordable, contemporary stainless steel open shelving; your dishware will be handy and visible, and function as part of the aesthetic landscape. Try removing cupboard doors beneath the sink and replace them with a curtain.you can also feature neat stacks of plates this way in upper cabinets. Oh, and while you're at it, get that microwave off the counter and into a wall cubby!
Walls
You've probably heard it before, but I'll say it again: Paint changes everything. It's by far the single biggest change you can make without a large expense. Start collecting swatches and images of colors you like. Test some colors in different lights. Experiment. Don't be afraid to explore unique treatments, like texture and special paint applications.Accessories
Paneling, tin squares and decorative tiles are other ways to add visual interest and substance. Accessories are both a blessing and a curse. If you develop a plan and a distinctive style and stick to it, they can elevate a room from plain to truly striking. If you lose focus and clutter your home with tchotchkes, the resulting mess will speak for itself. Kitchens and baths are transformed by new fixtures.Taller sink faucets, for instance, add a contemporary kick to older kitchens. New cupboard knobs and drawer pulls are affordable, easy to install and freshen a room instantly. Living rooms can benefit from comfy throws, candles and pillows. See how these red throw pillows grab color from the area rug and add drama to the room? Before, the drapes matched the sofa and wall color but lacked impact.
Now, contrasting color adds punch-it's that simple. Another change is to introduce an unexpected, more contemporary, device for displaying art. Instead of the usual hanging piece over the mantle, try leaning a work instead. Framed by red candles, and stripped of clutter, the mantle looks clean and dramatic, a real focal point for the room!
As you can see, there are many ways to freshen a room's style without starting from scratch. Remember: an easy first step is simply removing anything from the room that detracts from the look you want.
I'm Anne-Marie Barton, About Home & Garden.