Refurbishing 101: How to Improve the Look of Your Home
Our homes are important to us, and like our clothing, hair, and makeup, the interior and exterior of our home is an extension of our personality. Therefore, we’re constantly on the prowl, looking for inspiration on how to improve our humble abode into something much more fabulous.
The problem is, improving our house can be both time-consuming and expensive. Refurbing a single room can take an age, so how can we find the time to improve our whole house? The solution to such a question is to consider the finer details and look towards smaller and more manageable refurbishments. The smallest of enhancements can make the biggest of improvements. Here’s how to develop the look of your home in more convenient measures.
The Kitchen: Turn Up the Heat
The kitchen is considered the heart of many homes. This is the room with the most foot traffic, so you’ll want to start your refurb here. Before you change anything, consider certain kitchen themes and colors. Gray is proving popular and embellished and patterned flooring paired with simple units and appliances are also fashionable.
For smaller budgets, changing the cabinet doors, the handles and updating light fixtures can make a whole world of difference. If you have more time on your hands, taking out the cabinets and repainting them can change the ambiance of the room completely. If budget isn’t an issue, consider opening out your kitchen, and creating a joint dining room and kitchen. A breakfast bar is also a smart investment.
The Living Room: Rearrange and Replace
Before you replace all your furniture, rearrange what you already have and see if it works better elsewhere. The power of Feng Shui can be mighty, so you’ll want to consider this as a viable option before spending your money. Declutter, move furniture and improve the lighting and air flow of the room. Repaint the walls and create a more balanced and calming atmosphere.
If you find that the furniture you have is no longer working, then look for replacements. A tired and worn out couch is not only ugly, but it can also be uncomfortable. Make sure you buy furniture that is matching and brings atmosphere to a room. You will also want to marry together style and functionality. For example, if you’re fed up of coming home to your dog having chewed and destroyed their bed, look for the best indestructible dog bed so you can limit mess and reduce stress and clutter.
The perk of refurbishing a living room is that you’re able to completely transform the room by simply changing the details of the room. This ideal for homeowners who are limited on money and time. Bring in flowers, change the rug, hang different paintings or mirrors and replace the pillows. A change in accessory color can be just as effective as replacing the coffee table.
The Bathroom: Keep it Fresh
We come to the bathroom to pamper, preen and refresh. Therefore, the bathroom itself should be kept clean and tidy. A new coat of paint, wiped down mirrors and washed appliances can completely change the room. You can, however, take it one step further.
Consider transforming your bathroom into a much more modern space. If you still use a shower curtain, take it down and have someone replace it with a pane of glass. Shower heads should also be modernized, as well as faucets. If you have a lot of chrome in your bathroom, then replace it with copper or brass. Other improvements include having a tiled countertop, or a tiled backsplash behind the sink.
For smaller bathrooms, keep the color neutral so it makes the room seem bigger. Keep from having too many units, and only keep essentials in the room so the place doesn’t seem overcrowded. For extra space, have a medicine cabinet above the sink.
The Master Bedroom: Make it Yours
The master bedroom should be completely styled to your tastes. After all, it’s a place for you to relax and unwind after a long arduous day at work. Your bedroom should be personalized with your belongings, and it should be the most comfortable place in the whole house.
You can improve the atmosphere of your bedroom easily. For example, you want as much natural light as possible during the day, so open the curtains and welcome in the sun. Even if it’s a little cooler outside, remember to air out the room. Not only will it keep it from becoming stale, but it will also refresh you.
When it comes to refurbishing your bedroom, think about the smaller changes before making any huge commitments and changes. If you’re bored of your headboard, change it with another one. Open up your bedroom with neutral colors, and place pops of color throughout the room with pillows, rugs, blankets, and tapestries. Add your quirks; hang goofy photos and have bedding that makes you smile. Keep plants on the window sill, and keep a fragranced candle that can help soothe you when you want to sleep.
If you have a bigger budget to play with, then look into installing walk-in wardrobes. Not only can this provide you with more space, but it can also create a sleeker and more modern interior.
The Garden: Go Green
You home extends to your garden, so you cannot neglect it any longer. Create a space you’ll want to use throughout the summer, and be sad not to make use of during the winter. If you have time and a healthy budget, put in decking. This will become a great area to entertain friends and family, and it will also be perfect for relaxing during summer. You’ll want to place comfortable furniture that is resistant to the weather conditions.
Attention should also be made towards plants and the lawn. Keep the grass luscious, and tend to flower beds. If you lack a green thumb, then plant flowers and plants that are low maintenance. Plant your flowers in flower pots which are colorful and full of character.