If you’ve ever scrolled through endless photos of curated homes on Pinterest, you know how much difference even simple, low-investment updates can make.
Chicago-based interior designer Carly Pokornowski Moeller has mastered the art of freshening up spaces without breaking the bank. She shared with ESTATENVY her top tips for easy, low-cost home spruce-ups that can instantly transform a room.
1. Paint Your Walls
Whether you’re looking to spruce up your interior design or create an entirely new look, painting your walls can make a big difference. And it doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult!
You can even try different paint effects and techniques to really wow your guests.
One simple way to give your space a unique look is by painting one wall a lighter color and the other walls a darker color. This can instantly draw the eye to one wall, making it the focal point of the room.
Another great idea is to paint the walls a slightly different color from the ceiling, as this will help create the illusion of a taller and wider room.
For best results, it’s important to use a high-quality brand of paint when doing your home improvement project. Choosing lower quality paint can cause problems, such as the paint fading faster or looking washed out. Moreover, it can be more difficult to apply.
2. Add a Rug
If you want to make your apartment feel like home without breaking the bank, adding a rug is a great way to do it. They’re inexpensive, easy to clean and can make a big impact in a room.
A rug can also help create separate areas within a room, such as a reading nook and dining area. You can also layer multiple rugs to add depth and interest to your space.
This is particularly helpful if you have an open floor plan. Choose two contrasting colors or patterns and layer them on top of each other to create a unique focal point in your living room.
Rugs can also help absorb sound, which can be important in rooms where you want to improve acoustics or create a warmer feel. In addition, they’re a great decorative element and can even make bare floors feel more like home.
3. Add a Plant
Adding a plant to your space is a great way to make it feel fresh and natural. Not only does it add a natural aesthetic to your space, but it also improves air quality and helps reduce toxins. This is actually an important element in a Healthcare and Medical Clinic Design & Fitout which Zhoosh health care interior design never forgets to include.
The key to getting a plant to look its best is putting it in a place that will nurture it and make it thrive. This can be difficult if you don’t have a green thumb, but there are many ways to get plants to live in your home.
For starters, keep the plant close to a window so that it receives direct sunlight. Moving a plant away from a window can rob it of much of its light, which is essential for them to thrive.
Similarly, if you have seating areas, surround them with plants to bring in depth and visual interest. A large plant next to or behind a sofa can work well, but you can also play with scale and texture to create an eclectic and beautiful space.
4. Add a Mirror
A mirror is a great way to make your space feel more open. It can amplify natural light, add drama and frame views.
When choosing a mirror, opt for a floor-length one that is proportional to the furniture it’s placed on. This will ensure that the mirror doesn’t overwhelm the room.
If you have a window-less wall in your home, hang a large mirror opposite it to reflect more light into the room and give it a brighter feeling. The mirror will also enlarge the window-less wall and help it look less closed off.
If you don’t want to spend money on a large mirror, opt for a few small ones and place them together on the same wall. This will create the effect of a gallery wall without looking too cluttered.
5. Add a Ceiling Light
Adding a ceiling light to your home may seem daunting, but with the right tools and patience, you can make it happen. Using an energy efficient bulb and a programmable smart lighting controller you can create a system that will light your space while saving you money in the long run. The best part is that you can customize your system to meet your specific lighting needs.
The trick is to choose the right type of bulb, but this can be done with a little trial and error. There are many options on the market and you should always ask questions to ensure you get the best fit for your needs. You will also want to consider your budget and the style of the fixture that you select. The more cost effective option is to opt for an affordable ceiling light that you can swap out with the bulb of your choice when your mood strikes. You will also want to keep in mind that LED lights are becoming more and more popular, particularly in the UK, as they are not only a great way to save on your energy bills, they can be shaped and shaped into almost any form you can imagine.
6. Add a Ceiling Fan
Adding a ceiling fan to your home can make an enormous difference in the overall style and comfort of a room. They’re available in an impressive range of styles, sizes and finishes, so you can find a fan that complements your unique interior design.
For the most efficient use, choose a fan that has blades that are suitable for the size of the room and is designed to circulate air comfortably. The height of the ceiling will also play a role in the blade span, so it’s important to measure this before making your purchase.
Additionally, fans are a smart option for rooms that receive plenty of direct sunlight, such as patios and porches. Besides cooling the air, they produce an invigorating breeze, which can be especially helpful when hosting large events outdoors.
Using a ceiling fan in the winter can also reduce heating costs by pulling heated air out of your furnace and distributing it downward. Set the fan to spin in reverse to take advantage of this natural air flow, saving you money on your energy bills and keeping you comfortable all year round.
7. Add a Bookcase
A bookcase can add an instant dose of elegance to any space. Whether you need extra storage in your living room, a home office or bedroom, a DIY bookcase is an affordable and easy way to boost the overall look of your home.
A free-standing bookcase can also serve as a visual and physical divider in a large space. It can break up an open floor plan or designate a reading nook in a studio apartment.
You can easily build a DIY bookshelf with just a little planning and woodworking skills. It’s a great project for the whole family to do together, and it will be worth it in the long run!
A tree-shaped bookshelf is a fun and unusual way to display your favorite literature. It’s also a beautiful statement piece that’s bound to draw attention.
8. Add a Side Table
One of the best things you can do to spruce up your space is to add a side table. It’s a simple accessory, but it can make a huge difference.
Aside from being functional, a side table can also be a great place to display decorative items or plants. These tables can be paired with a coffee table or other furniture to create a cozy reading corner, or they can be used by themselves.
The key to finding the perfect side table is choosing a shape that’s in harmony with the other pieces in your space. For example, if you have a round coffee table, consider a square side table or something that has a more geometric shape.
Another important consideration when choosing a side table is how much storage it will have. If you have a lot of books or other small objects, a table with drawers or shelves is a good option.
