{"id":78456,"date":"2022-09-26T13:49:40","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T20:49:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=78456"},"modified":"2022-10-12T13:36:34","modified_gmt":"2022-10-12T20:36:34","slug":"ideas-to-refresh-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/ideas-to-refresh-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Wake Up Your Sleepy Space With These Home Refresh Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maybe you’ve outgrown your current decor, or you\u2019ve just moved into a new house or apartment and it doesn\u2019t feel quite like home yet. Either way, it might be time to refresh your space. Simple changes like adding new artwork or house plants can be a breath of fresh air for your home, making all the difference in transforming your mood and how you feel in your space. But sometimes, revamping your home is easier said than done.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since we know it can be hard to feel inspired or think of new ways to wake up your sleepy space, we reached out to some of the top interior designers, artists, and lifestyle bloggers for their top recommendations to help make your home feel refreshed and elevated. Read on for their best tips for transforming a bland apartment or house into a home that you\u2019re excited to spend time in.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Bring the outside in to breathe new life into your sleepy space<\/span><\/h2>\n

You can easily refresh your home by mixing in bits of nature throughout your decor. \u201cBy carefully choosing an interior plant and planter, you can instantly update the feel and look of a space,\u201d suggests Brittany Leonardelli, owner of <\/span>Planting Bliss Co<\/span><\/a>. \u201cStart by removing a piece of decor on a shelf or tabletop and replace it with a planter you love. Then, head to your local nursery and find the perfect plant to sit inside your planter (remember to measure your planter). The options aren\u2019t limited to just tabletop surfaces when adding nature to a space either. You can add nature through preserved moss pieces, hanging pieces, as well as larger floor pieces.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to what types of plants to add to a space – Sarah, the founder of <\/span>Hudson and Oak<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> recommends indoor olive trees, monsteras, and snake plants. \u201cPlants instantly add life to any space and depending on the plant, you can find the most beautiful shades of green.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Monstera Plant Resource Center<\/span><\/a> also recommends Monstera deliciosa, or the swiss cheese plant. \u201cThis plant is popular because of its massive, stunningly beautiful leaves and its tolerance for indoor light conditions. The monstera deliciosa is the most common variety of monstera we all know and love, and mostly what you\u2019ll find when you go plant shopping. It has those big, gorgeous holey leaves that are so popular in nurseries and printed home decor right now – you can\u2019t go wrong with this one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Professional framing can give your space much-needed character and life<\/span><\/h2>\n

An easy way to elevate the overall feel of your home is to professionally frame your wall decor. \u201cTalking to a professional framer, showing them your layout, decor colors, and more will do wonders for your place when it comes to hanging art,\u201d recommends Nicholas Bailey, creative and lifestyle blogger of <\/span>Nick Says Go<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThey’ll have material, shape, and layout options that you just can’t get off the shelf at your local retail store. I redid my whole gallery wall with custom frames, which took the room to a new level.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Remember that lighting can completely transform your home decor<\/span><\/h2>\n

Lighting sets the tone for your entire home – so it\u2019s important to pay special attention to it. \u201cAs we head into fall and winter, there has never been a better time to refresh this overlooked element of your home,\u201d says Christine Kobervig Munger, director of merchandising and sourcing for <\/span>Fernish<\/span><\/a>. \u201cFirst, make sure all of your lightbulbs are warm white and switch them out if not. Move away from harsh overhead lighting and add an instant designer feel to any room with a statement floor lamp or a matching pair of table lamps.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Get creative while revamping your lighting<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re looking to refresh your lighting, why not get creative and incorporate one-of-a-kind fixtures? <\/span>\u201cYou can wake up your sleepy space with unique lighting,\u201d says Kristi Smith, Principal Designer of <\/span>K. Smith Interiors<\/span><\/a>. \u201cWe are obsessed with great light fixtures, either hanging or wall mounted, in or under cabinets, and table tops too. Be bold and have fun with it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLight fixtures are like jewelry, and great fixtures make a statement,\u201d Kristi continues. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to be expensive, and not everything has to be prewired – there are great plug-in options. We also see the DIYers doing battery-operated LED accent lights too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Christine Kobervig Munger from Fernish adds: \u201cGet creative and untether yourself from outlets by using battery-powered smart light bulbs. They allow you to put lighting anywhere! You can have that beautiful floor lamp in the middle of the room or hang a statement pendant without a plug or wiring. Just place the lamp\/fixture, screw in the lightbulb, and control the light with the included remote.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Original artwork elevates your space to be truly one-of-a-kind<\/span><\/h2>\n

When it comes to wall art, opting for original paintings can give your space a truly unique touch. <\/span>Gallery Today<\/span><\/a>, a purveyor of original art from all over the world, says, \u201cBuying original art allows the character and personality of residents to grab hold of houseguests, who sometimes view a work of art as an extension of one’s individuality. Original wall art makes a great conversation piece and is a joy that lasts a lifetime \u2013 not to mention the aspect of possessing an investment that continues to grow with age and attachment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Don\u2019t feel confined to one particular home decor style<\/span><\/h2>\n

If there\u2019s one thing <\/span>JW Harrington Fine Art<\/span><\/a> recommends, it\u2019s to not limit yourself to one strict design style. \u201cHome furnishing should explicitly reflect the states of mind you want your home to create for you, your family, and your guests (frankly, in that order). You’re probably not Colonial American, French Provincial, mid-century modern, or Scandinavian in every aspect of your personality. Contemporary, especially abstract, art can fit anywhere because it’s not representing any particular place or people. Everyone in your house can see something different in a piece of non-representational art — and see different things at different times.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Live edge accent pieces will liven up your sleepy space<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hector, owner of <\/span>MORUXO<\/span><\/a>, recommends using live edge accent pieces as a unique way to breathe life into a dull space. “The natural curves, knots, and raw cracks of the wood organically bring the outdoors into your living area in a practical and contemporary manner. For this reason, this furniture style is becoming increasingly popular in spaces such as homes, offices, and restaurants. Common live edge accent pieces include dining\/conference tables, coffee tables, shelves, countertops, benches, and wall decor.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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Refresh your home with wall art, but do so thoughtfully and intentionally<\/span><\/h2>\n

Did you know that wall art can affect the function of a space? The artwork you have in a room can affect your mood, the size of the space, the decor style, and much more. Because of this, it\u2019s important to choose artwork with intention. \u201cTo select the right art for its desired effect, ask yourself a few questions before you invest in art. This way art can elevate your space in an unassuming way, lending it a unique expression and presence,\u201d suggests <\/span>Petra Trimmel<\/span><\/a> of <\/span>Art-Y-Sana<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some questions to ask yourself and things to consider when selecting wall art for your space:<\/span><\/p>\n