If your living space is starting to look a little too lived in, consider taking a couple of weekends to breath new life into your space to make it somewhere you want to spend time.
Tidy Up
Whatever season it is, it’s time for a spring cleaning. The first major project will be painting so it’s time to tidy up; clear off your coffee table and pack away the clutter. Decide which pieces of furniture have seen better days and pack away, donate, or trash anything you don’t want.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint can make a dramatic difference. In home improvement, it’s often where you can get the best bang for your buck. Consider choosing light colors like a white or cream. If you want something a little more fun, go with a light, muted shade of your favorite color. Whatever color you pick, keep in mind that it will cover all of your walls–from floor to ceiling–so if the tiny patch you painted on the wall seems a tiny bit too strong now, it may be completely overpowering once you are a couple gallons into your project. After choosing your color, buying your paint, moving your furniture around, taping all your edges, and painting your walls with a coat or two of paint and primer this may be a good place to close out weekend one of renovations.
Deep Clean
With a beautiful new coat of paint now up on the walls and all of your furniture scattered from their usual places, now is as good a time as any to give your space a good clean. Dust off your remaining furniture, vacuum (or even steam clean) the floors, spot clean stains, throw washable fabrics into the laundry, wipe down tables, fish the coins out of your couch, clean grimy fingerprints from your TV–the works. There’s no point in trying to make a space look fresh and new if years of dust and dirt remain hiding in the corners.
Simplify with Storage
Clutter will inevitably accumulate, constantly fighting the second law of thermodynamics is a losing battle. Instead, turn to creative storage solutions to hide this clutter away while keeping the things you need nearby. Consider an ottoman with hidden storage, a shelving unit with simple yet stylish storage boxes, or a TV stand with drawers or concealed storage. The goal here is to hide away the things you need to keep on hand so that they are easily accessible yet out of view. While it’s important that you like the way your space looks and feels, never put form over function. This will help make your space look tidy and well cared for.
House Shop
Now, start reassembling your space with the items you have available from around your house. Arrange your furniture, bring in your art and decor, and take stock of what’s missing. This is where you have to strike a balance between saving and spending. Fill your space with the items that you have and like, budget for the pieces you desperately need, and consider replacing or refurbishing those that are on their last legs with any remaining funds.
Find New Furniture
Now that you know what pieces you’re missing, start searching. If possible, go for quality over quantity. Not only will this be cheaper in the long run, but you’ll enjoy the craftsmanship and sturdiness of these pieces more. Where end tables and lamps are faced with less wear and tear and can be easily refurbished or repaired, sofas must generally be replaced every ten years or so. If you are looking for a new couch, consider starting your search online to find sofas that fit almost any budget. Look at modular sofas–as opposed to sectionals or single pieces–for increased ability to customize shape and size.
Soften the Space
Window treatments, blankets, pillow, rugs, oh my! Here is where you can really start to play with color and texture. Softening up your space is really what will make it feel warm and cozy. While you should surely introduce your own unique style, keep function in mind. Check out this article for more DIY interior design tips including advice on colors, textures, and statement pieces. Make sure that the fabrics you choose are soft and washable. While you don’t want to go too crazy with color, your risk of muddy paws and spilled drinks may mean that brilliant white isn’t the way to go either.
