You don't need an interior designer or a huge budget to freshen up your home's look. Creating a stylish space that also fulfills your daily needs is a project you can tackle over a weekend.
Maybe you're working from home and need better organization, or you're desperate for a new aesthetic but don't know where to begin. Whatever your design goals, you can often add a fresh perspective to your home without buying anything new.
Every room in your home should have a focal point. Whether it's the architectural details of the fireplace or the fantastic view through a picture window, a room's focus can guide your design. Turn your sofa or soft chairs toward this feature and accessorize with objects that draw more attention to these unique details.
Set picture frames along the ledges of wall paneling, hang plants with macrame hangers in front of a bright window, or mount your television over the fireplace mantel.
Design a more personalized space in your foyer using artwork and homeless objects currently stashed in the closet. Look for items like concert tickets, long-forgotten instruments, newspaper clippings—anything that tells your family's story—and display them as an introduction to the household.
Hang your little one's framed artwork next to action figures mounted inside shadow boxes. Display your old sports gear next to your children's skateboards or academic medals to celebrate everyone's interests, and remember family vacations by mounting unique souvenirs.
If you're redesigning a formal space, such as a dining room or a grand living room, arrange your furniture symmetrically. Position couches across from one another, placing the coffee table dead center and flanking the sofas with accent chairs. This formal arrangement gives your space a polished feel, while asymmetrical placements and mismatched pieces offer a more casual ambiance.
Arrange casual seating to suit the room's purpose—like watching TV—and add your favorite side tables and ottoman for a personalized touch.
Are you getting into traffic jams on your way to the kitchen? You don't necessarily need more streamlined furniture. Ease the gridlock by creating more efficient lanes for foot traffic. Keep large pieces away from doorways, and make sure everyone has a place to charge their devices to eliminate hazardous cords.
Reposition tall furnishings or plants that block your line of sight. These details can make a room feel just as crowded as bulky items.
Feel slightly off when your home is in disarray? According to feng shui principles, this is your body's reaction to the negative energy trapped in your rooms. Feng shui is all about creating balance and harmony.
In the bedroom, place a nightstand on either side of the bed; arrange family room seating symmetrically. Use live plants for positive energy flow, and keep knives, electric cords, and trash cans out of sight. Research the ancient practice for tips on how to create good vibes in every room.
Chances are you've forgotten about some of the fascinating and beautiful objects hiding around your space. Why not shop around in your home for items that could use a change of scenery? Gather things you'd like to see more of, like plants, books, or inherited heirlooms, and display them in another room with different lighting.
Group similar items together, like wooden bowls and bookends or vibrant terra cotta pots, for touches of texture and personality.
Natural sunlight is the best way to brighten a room, so keep tall and bulky furniture away from the windows. Instead, use armless chairs, open-backed seats, and slim furnishings to lighten the space. Prop up or hang mirrors opposite windows to reflect natural light throughout the room, or place them behind lamps and fixtures to add a warm glow.
If you've got some LED lights in the garage, mount them behind your television. The halo effect improves your home theater game by adding a dramatic flair to movie nights.
If you need at least one room with tranquil decor and streamlined design, let minimalism be your influence. Minimalism doesn't mean fewer items or a scarce furniture arrangement, but rather, a more intentional space that feels open and relaxing.
Clear out all but the most essential pieces, and split up matching sets to avoid redundancy. Decorate with plants and necessary comforts, like area rugs and pillows, in neutral tones and warm colors. Increase the coziness factor with the texture of a chunky blanket or wooden drink coasters.
Creating the spaces we need doesn't require new furniture or room dividers. Use open metal shelving to close off part of a space for a home office or library. Bring a cafe table and chairs into the family room to serve as the homework station and casual dining area. Position a large, potted plant and your favorite winged armchair against the corner of a room to make a cozy reading nook.
Give old furniture new life by stripping away accessories and bulky add-ons. Remove the mirror from a dresser and move it into your home office as a storage credenza. Hang the mirror in the dining room to make the space seem larger, or in the hallway to reflect light.
If your bed needs a facelift, try detaching the headboard, and shop around your home for artwork or photographs to fill the space.