Home feeling stale? Here’s some ideas to easily refresh your space…
No matter how long we spend curating and decorating the spaces in our homes, there often comes a time when a room starts to feel… well, a little bit stale. And often, it’s before we’re really ready to redecorate or replace the furniture! Whether you’re itching to refresh on a budget, or know your current furniture pieces have plenty of life left in them - here’s a few of our top tips on refreshing your space, without replacing everything in sight.
Give your space a seasonal makeover
So, where’s a good place to start with your refresh? Sure, you could repaint your whole room and pick out bold new furniture to match - but the great news is, you don’t have to go all out (and blow all your savings) to make a statement. Changing up your decor to match the seasons can have many benefits; from making you feel more in touch with nature and the changing weather, to having soft furnishings that better suit different temperatures and times of year. We all love the feel of a home decorated for Christmas cheering up the darkest months - why not recreate that feeling for autumn, spring and summer too?
Seasonal candles, cushions, throws, bedding, serving ware, and themed decorative accessories are all great ways to decorate with the seasons. But if you want to invest in something with a bit more practicality and longevity, there are plenty of options. Treating yourself to a wow-factor armchair or cuddler in a punchy colour or spring pattern; adding a fun footstool; or even just injecting a pop of colour with a bright rug or cushions can transform your space in an instant – no major overhaul required.
Do a deep clean
There’s something about a deep clean that can make a room feel bright and new all over again, even if you don’t actually change anything. So dust off those surfaces, hoover those skirting boards and banish those cobwebs - let’s make your living room shine again! As for tips for cleaning your sofa and furniture - check out our comprehensive care guides, packed with top tips on making your sofa feel fresh as a daisy.
Make a statement
Gone are the days when sofas and armchairs all had to match. Mixing things up with different patterns and shades will give your room bags of personality! Pair a leather sofa with a spring floral patterned chair and pick cushions in similar shades to tie the two together; or if you’re feeling brave, choose a sofa that wows, in a bold colour like sunshine yellow, dramatic teal or warm rusty orange. If you’re adding to an existing sofa suite, it can be difficult to match the colour, fabric or tone exactly - so why not take the opportunity to create contrast instead?
Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise
We’ll let you in on a secret - changing your accessories can make your space feel brand new! Introduce a new set of scatter cushions, a gorgeous new throw, or even style up your coffee table with a vase or candlestick. Take a look around your home, too - you might even already have pieces in other rooms you can relocate! Whatever you choose, it’s a sure-fire way to breathe new life into and elevate the entire space.
Make the most of natural light
Even in the biggest and brightest homes, natural light can often feel like it’s in short supply. Where you do have those brighter spots, bring the outside in by creating a relaxing space that’s just for you. Make the most of natural light by placing a colourful velvet ottoman, armchair or cuddler by a south-facing window or French doors; or clear the clutter from an underused conservatory and turn it into a sun-filled reading spot. Your body and mind will thank you for the extra sunshine!
Cheer up dark corners
Not sure which part of your home to refresh first? Walk around your house and reconsider all the dark nooks, crannies and corners that may have been neglected. An alcove under the stairs could be given a new lease of life with a cheery-hued feature wall, a small light-coloured sideboard and a huge vase of flowers; a seldom-used spare room could take on new life as a craft room, study or mini library thanks to a small sofa bed or armchair in bright summer colours; while an awkward area of your hallway could benefit from an eye-popping (yet useful) armchair!
Level up your lighting
Poor lighting - particularly in the winter months - can really put a dampener on a room’s mood. Investing in some lovely lamps and lighting fixtures can make a long-lasting difference to a room’s ambience, and might just make you fall in love with your space again.
Small space or budget? No problem!
When decorating smaller rooms or trying to refresh a space on a budget, many of us stick to safe grey and beige tones, thinking that it will make the space feel larger or be cheaper to execute. However, colour can help make a big impression in even the smallest of spaces - creating a roomier or more expensive feel without breaking the bank. Choose a compact nest of pale wooden tables rather than one larger coffee table; position a bright two-seater sofa opposite a window and hang a large mirror behind it to bounce light around the room; or add splashes of green with plenty of leafy plants – hang them from the ceiling if you’re short on floor space.
