The boxes are unloaded and the movers are gone. What next? This is the perfect time to decorate your new home! Great idea, but you’re next door to broke and too tired to think. Moving is a lot of work. So, here are some quick and easy ways to make a new place feel lived in.
Pick a New Paint Color
You’ll probably want to freshen up the paint, if the previous occupant didn’t. Warm color palettes stimulate the senses, while cool colors, such as blues and greens, are more calming. The best time to paint would be just before you unpack a room, that way most of your things will be protected from paint drips and splatters. You don’t have to wait until the last minute to buy the paint either. Pick up some swatches from your local hardware store and choose colors that work will with the furniture you already have.
If painting an entire room seems like too much of a challenge, try just painting a border around the room near the ceiling. Children love to help with this and a playful stenciled pattern makes their areas feel welcoming and unique. Another creative option is to paint just the lower half of a wall; an especially tempting idea since you won’t need a ladder.
Light Up the Night
New light fixtures can be easy to install and don’t need to break the bank. There are plenty of online stores that offer a wide variety of trendy, inexpensive products. Whether your style is opulent or all-natural, there are hundreds of different styles of light fixtures available.
Be bold, and pick something out of the ordinary, like a sparkly chandelier or Japanese-style paper lanterns. Or opt for a matching set of floor lamps that really work well with your furnishings and room sizes. The right light fixture will add warmth and personality to an otherwise bland interior.
Pillow Fight!
Okay, not really. We’re all too grown up for that. And, as adults, we can rightfully indulge in some oversized and overstuffed throw pillows. Throw pillows instantaneously make an austere couch inviting, and a plain bedroom cozy.
Choose luxurious fabrics, such as velvet and brocades. Or energize solid color upholstery with crisp stripes or patterns. Don’t worry about the cost; even the superstores have a wide range of accent pillows and no one is going to be checking the tags anyway (because you take them off, of course!).
Silk Flowers and Plants
Is there a drab little corner that’s too small for furniture or doesn’t get enough light? An elegant silk palm, or topiary, from the craft store will add a lot color and style without wrecking your budget. Japanese cherry blossoms and silk orchids are very classy, and the modern versions fool all but the most curious guests.
Rugs: They’re Not Just For Rug-Rats Anymore
The right rug can harmonise and bring focus to a room that feels “off.” Sometimes when we move into a new home, the room sizes are much larger or smaller than our previous dwelling and we end up shifting our furniture around. So, if you end up with an awkward space, add a nice area rug to make it more inviting. You can browse through hundreds of different styles, materials and color combinations online.
Frame by Frame
Picture frames are a great conversation starter. Some store sell picture frames as pre-packaged bundles to create a polished look. Fill them with family photographs, photographs of your personal passion, or even images of your bucket list. Try contrasting stark black-and-white photography with silver frames, or a collection of brightly-painted wooden frames.
Re-Use Your Old Sheets and Curtains
Crafty people will love this! Sheets and curtains that have seen better days still have value. Remake them into chair cushions, toss pillows, room dividers, or even new curtains. The designs can be as simple or dressy as you like. You may need a friend with a sewing machine, but if the project is simple, most crafters are happy to help.
Don’t take on too many projects at once; you’ll just feel swamped, and your original plans to decorate your new home will become a cringe-worthy mess. Also, resist the temptation to re-do your entire place after a visit to a visually-stunning online, or in-store, display. Just collect pics of what inspires you, keep them handy, and review them occasionally. It’s easy to fall in love with a professional designer’s “theme,” but make sure the changes you make enhance your own style and home.