Small Upgrades That Make A HUGE Difference
Our homes are our sanctuary, and it's only natural to want to make them as comfortable and appealing as possible. However, major home renovations can be costly and time-consuming. Luckily, there are plenty of small upgrades that you can do yourself that can make a significant difference in the look and feel of your home. In this blog post, we'll explore some small upgrades that you can make to your home that will have a big impact.
CEILINGS:
The ceiling is sometimes called the fifth wall and is often ignored, unfortunately. Details like paneling, molding, wood beams and wallpaper on the ceiling can be cleverly used to emphasize height, for example, and create visual interest. Decorative and structural elements force the eyes up, creating a sense of more volume. In our Moonlight Makeover project we incorporated classic white tongue and groove paneling in contrast to wood-wrapped structural beams. This bright color combination reflected available natural light to brighten up the space and the repetition of natural wood on the beam worked with the open wood shelves to create wonderful balance and unity in this small space.
PAINT:
The transformative power of paint is well known and the most common change homeowners make. Paint color creates strong emotional responses and sets the overall mood of the space. Recently we made over a laundry room that had vivid, bright paint colors on all the walls and created a jarring, chaotic feeling as you entered this task- oriented space. Naturally inspired moss-green paint, organic wallpaper and textured, herringbone floors resulted in an inviting and serene space. In another bathroom paint changes went a long way to changing a dark space that felt cramped into a bathroom that felt much larger.
WINDOW TREATMENTS:
Window treatments do a lot more than control light and add privacy (although these factors are significant!). Window treatments can soften hard lines, create rich, layered texture and echo design elements used in the space to create harmony.
Like pillows, the fabric used in window treatments is a great way to add color and pattern to create a desired mood. When a window doesn’t have at least 12” of wall space for a curtain to stack, we generally opt for shades. In the master bathroom shown below, a relaxed roman shade’s curve visually connects the curved tops of the sink vanities creating an inviting rhythm that welcomes you in the space. But curtains have plenty of room to breathe in the living room below, and the filtered light softens the distinct lines and edges of the paneled wood and beam ceiling - creating that perfect balance and tension between the design elements.
LIGHT FIXTURES:
An easy way to upgrade a room is to swap out light fixtures. Decorative lighting is an opportunity to make a huge statement as a focal point in the room, or support other design elements. There are plenty of finish options and decorative styles for chandeliers, sconces and pendants, the lights you typically see, in addition to concealed lighting elements embedded in ceilings and walls. In the kitchen photos below, take a look at how switching just the island pendants can make a big difference in the feeling of the space. One is more structured and the gold finish on the pendants steals attention and focus, making it a prominent design element. The other basket-style pendants support the airy and light overall design, and add texture and informality to the space.
Small upgrades can make a big difference in the look and feel of your home. Whether you're looking to add some color or texture, or simply want to update your decor, there are plenty of easy and inexpensive upgrades you can do yourself. By making a few small changes, you can transform your home into a space that feels fresh, inviting, and truly yours.