Image: Clair Strong Interior Design
When you’re in-between decorating projects but feel like your space could do with a spruce, try these three simple tips:
1. Move things around
This is the easiest way to update your space and it won’t cost you a penny. Change is good for the soul, and even something as simple as rearranging the furniture or creating interesting vignettes can make a room feel like new.
You can start small by trying the lamp in a new spot, moving wall art around (try a gallery wall!) or re-organising the bookcase (arranging books by colour can make a real impact). Have fun with the way you display ornaments and family photos too – create little collections and display them under glass domes as if in a museum.
For a more dramatic overhaul, reconsider the room configuration. Many of us quickly arrange the furniture when we first move in and never change it again… but you might not be making the most of the room. Is the sofa in the best possible space? Can you make more of the dining table? Use an online room planner to try new arrangements before committing to all that heavy lifting!
2. Think green
Never underestimate the power of plants to spruce up a space. Even just a bunch of fresh flowers can breathe new life into a room. But to really get the most out of this update, you’ll need to go big.
I like lots of greenery in every room; particularly windowsills full of life. Plants are constantly changing; growing, flowering, wilting and so on, which means a room filled with them will never look the same twice.
There are other benefits to going green too; it improves air quality, boosts your health and helps to reduce fatigue and stress, according to several studies.
3. Strip-back
It’s easy to get into the mindset that we need to add things to a room to make it feel fresh but taking away can be just as powerful. De-cluttering can be a really liberating experience; throwing, donating or storing items that you no longer love can open up your space and create a whole new ambience.
In the design world we call this ‘editing’, it’s about curating your possessions for the most impact. I firmly believe that less is more, not least because it makes tidying much easier! Some people take a little time at the beginning of each month to de-clutter, others do it seasonally; either way it’s a really useful exercise in making your space feel loved again.
