4 simple ways to refresh your home, when starting from scratch isn’t an option.
We’ve all been there – wishing our home looked more like our Pinterest board and less like…well, what it actually looks like. Narrowing in on where to start and what to do can be overwhelming and intimidating.
We sat down (virtually) with an expert in the field – Principal Designer and Creative Director, Katie Hodges, of Katie Hodges Design – and asked her what small design adjustments she would recommend to make the biggest impact on the overall look and feel of a space. She broke it down into 4 simple swaps or additions that can give your room a fresh new look.
- Switch up your side chairs — they make a big difference!
Put a sculptural chair in the corner or a pair of chairs next to your main foundation sofa. Accent chairs can really change an entire look. You can take more of a risk and get a little more funky with them, too, since they are easy to change out.
2. Add a plant with a substantial leaf.
Plants make great décor. Go for a fiddle leaf fig, or something that has that shape and structure. A common mistake is to pick something too small and fussy. If you have multiple plants, aim for variety in your leaf sizes.
3. Swap out your lighting.
If you’re keeping your foundation pieces (i.e. your sectional or sofa), lights are a small piece that pack a big punch and add sculptural elements. Change your table lamps, add a floor lamp, or at the very least, try swapping a white lampshade for a black one — it can do wonders!
4. Add a rug(s) to balance your room.
Rugs probably cover more ground than anything else – but picking a color or style can be tough. Try this approach – think of them as a way to either amp up or mellow out a room. Do you want to add pattern and texture to a room with lots of neutral furniture and décor, or do you need to mute a loud room with a calming, neutral rug?
Bonus tip:
Keep your vertical real estate in mind – your walls are a great asset. Try juxtaposing a small space with an oversized piece of art or a large hanging lamp or chandelier for added drama.
