Decorating
15 Mini-Makeovers for Your House in 2017
Got a few hours to spare? Try these simple projects to give your home a new lease on life
The start of a new year often comes with good intentions to declutter, reorganise or revamp your home. These goals can be overwhelming and hard to quantify if they are left broad and vague. Instead, try some specific and achievable tasks that will help refresh your home and give you a sense of renewal.
Simple things like organising your pantry or framing some art can have a surprisingly big impact on how you feel in your home. Here are 16 mini-makeovers to try out this month.
Simple things like organising your pantry or framing some art can have a surprisingly big impact on how you feel in your home. Here are 16 mini-makeovers to try out this month.
2. Get new cushion covers
As a cushion fiend myself, I’m always amazed at the impact new cushion covers can have on a space. They don’t need to be matching – contrasting colours and patterns often look great together. If you’re looking for more calm and clarity, go for more subdued tones like pastels and neutrals. If vibrancy is what you’re after, choose brightly patterned covers. If the cushions themselves are getting a bit lumpy or old, you could replace them too.
As a cushion fiend myself, I’m always amazed at the impact new cushion covers can have on a space. They don’t need to be matching – contrasting colours and patterns often look great together. If you’re looking for more calm and clarity, go for more subdued tones like pastels and neutrals. If vibrancy is what you’re after, choose brightly patterned covers. If the cushions themselves are getting a bit lumpy or old, you could replace them too.
3. Hang mirrors on the wall
Mirrors make the most of a room’s natural light, open a small space and add some visual interest to a room. If you already have mirrors up, you could try repositioning them as well as your art. If you don’t, you could source mirrors in different shapes from op-shops and hang them in creative clusters (like on the pictured wall).
Mirrors make the most of a room’s natural light, open a small space and add some visual interest to a room. If you already have mirrors up, you could try repositioning them as well as your art. If you don’t, you could source mirrors in different shapes from op-shops and hang them in creative clusters (like on the pictured wall).
4. Lay down a colourful rug
Make a statement with a colourful rug. Stripes (especially black and white) can give the illusion of a larger room, while other patterns inject new life into a space. Take the room’s function into consideration – if you’ll be walking on it or eating over it then lighter colours may be prone to showing up spills and footprints. In general, I tend to go for a slightly oversized rug over one that’s too small for the space.
Geometric rugs give rooms an edge
Make a statement with a colourful rug. Stripes (especially black and white) can give the illusion of a larger room, while other patterns inject new life into a space. Take the room’s function into consideration – if you’ll be walking on it or eating over it then lighter colours may be prone to showing up spills and footprints. In general, I tend to go for a slightly oversized rug over one that’s too small for the space.
Geometric rugs give rooms an edge
5. String up some indoor plants
Indoor plants help you connect to nature even if you don’t have an outdoor space. They can also be good for your health, and just look damn good. You can buy macrame hangers to keep your pots off the floors, such as the ones pictured from Warp & Weft, or you can even make your own.
DIY macrame plant hanger
Indoor plants help you connect to nature even if you don’t have an outdoor space. They can also be good for your health, and just look damn good. You can buy macrame hangers to keep your pots off the floors, such as the ones pictured from Warp & Weft, or you can even make your own.
DIY macrame plant hanger
6. Change your doona cover/bedlinen
A doona cover is often the first thing the eye is drawn to in a bedroom. If you want the focus of the room to be on the walls, art or furniture, go for a white or neutral doona cover. If the rest of the room is simple, then you can opt for a bright or pattered cover. I also love buying new sheets at the start of the year. Opt for good quality ones – you spend so much time in bed that it’s worth the investment. If possible, feel the sheets before you buy for their softness and texture.
A doona cover is often the first thing the eye is drawn to in a bedroom. If you want the focus of the room to be on the walls, art or furniture, go for a white or neutral doona cover. If the rest of the room is simple, then you can opt for a bright or pattered cover. I also love buying new sheets at the start of the year. Opt for good quality ones – you spend so much time in bed that it’s worth the investment. If possible, feel the sheets before you buy for their softness and texture.
7. Freshen up your front door
Choosing a colour for a new year can feel like a way of setting an intention of what’s to come. Want more energy? Try yellow or red. How about more calm and simplicity? Maybe blue or green. Using our tips, paint your front door in a hue that will be pleasing for the new year. A striking front entrance welcomes guests and is a budget-friendly way to transform your home.
Choosing a colour for a new year can feel like a way of setting an intention of what’s to come. Want more energy? Try yellow or red. How about more calm and simplicity? Maybe blue or green. Using our tips, paint your front door in a hue that will be pleasing for the new year. A striking front entrance welcomes guests and is a budget-friendly way to transform your home.
8. Paint old furniture
Turn a tired chest of drawers, cabinet or desk into a unique treasure with paint. You could use bright colours, chalkboard paint or masking tape to help form patterns. This is much more cost-effective than buying new furniture, and helps you put your stamp on your home.
Revamp old furniture with paint
Turn a tired chest of drawers, cabinet or desk into a unique treasure with paint. You could use bright colours, chalkboard paint or masking tape to help form patterns. This is much more cost-effective than buying new furniture, and helps you put your stamp on your home.
Revamp old furniture with paint
9. Finally frame those prints
Do you have a whole bunch of special photos you haven’t gotten around to printing and framing? When we mostly take photos on our phones, it’s so easy to lose your precious snaps in a sea of selfies. You can print photos relatively cheaply, and then find frames from discount stores if you’re on a tight budget.
Tip: Buy velcro hanging strips to make hanging prints as easy as can be.
Do you have a whole bunch of special photos you haven’t gotten around to printing and framing? When we mostly take photos on our phones, it’s so easy to lose your precious snaps in a sea of selfies. You can print photos relatively cheaply, and then find frames from discount stores if you’re on a tight budget.
Tip: Buy velcro hanging strips to make hanging prints as easy as can be.
10. Get new bedroom or shower curtains
If you’re renting or have just moved into a new place, there’s a good chance that the pre-existing curtains are cheap and unappealing. If you’re after a dark sleeping space, go for curtains with heavier fabric and blackout lining.
Ready-made curtains are ideal if you have a smaller budget; just make sure to measure the windows or shower first and ensure they aren’t too difficult to put up. Oh, and if you’re renting, make sure you check with your landlord first, before adding in a new curtain rod.
If you’re renting or have just moved into a new place, there’s a good chance that the pre-existing curtains are cheap and unappealing. If you’re after a dark sleeping space, go for curtains with heavier fabric and blackout lining.
Ready-made curtains are ideal if you have a smaller budget; just make sure to measure the windows or shower first and ensure they aren’t too difficult to put up. Oh, and if you’re renting, make sure you check with your landlord first, before adding in a new curtain rod.
11. Refresh your bedside table
A well-styled bedside table can set the tone for your bedroom, but it can also be a practical addition for restful nights. Assess your needs – maybe that will include things like ear plugs and/or an eye mask, easy access to painkillers, water and a book. Having everything you need on hand can make your nights and mornings so much easier. Bedside tables also have the tendency to accumulate useless items, so throw out everything you no longer need.
A well-styled bedside table can set the tone for your bedroom, but it can also be a practical addition for restful nights. Assess your needs – maybe that will include things like ear plugs and/or an eye mask, easy access to painkillers, water and a book. Having everything you need on hand can make your nights and mornings so much easier. Bedside tables also have the tendency to accumulate useless items, so throw out everything you no longer need.
12. Organise your pantry
With such regular use, it’s very easy for pantries to become messy and disorganised. Putting dry food (such as cereal, biscuits, flour and sugar) in containers helps it stay fresh for longer. If you choose to display them in clear plastic or glass containers, this will make it very easy to see exactly what you have, and make it more likely that you’ll know when you’re about to run out of something. Check the expiry date on everything to make sure you don’t have anything that’s no longer edible.
With such regular use, it’s very easy for pantries to become messy and disorganised. Putting dry food (such as cereal, biscuits, flour and sugar) in containers helps it stay fresh for longer. If you choose to display them in clear plastic or glass containers, this will make it very easy to see exactly what you have, and make it more likely that you’ll know when you’re about to run out of something. Check the expiry date on everything to make sure you don’t have anything that’s no longer edible.
13. Change the scent
People have signature scents, so why shouldn’t your home have one? You can change the scent you use in your home according to the season or your mood. While candles are a more frequently used option, room sprays can be a wonderful way to reinvigorate a space. Using an eyedropper, mix essential oil (such as lemon or eucalyptus) with alcohol or witch hazel and distilled water in a spray bottle. Spritz in each room for an instant refresh.
DIY natural room sprays
People have signature scents, so why shouldn’t your home have one? You can change the scent you use in your home according to the season or your mood. While candles are a more frequently used option, room sprays can be a wonderful way to reinvigorate a space. Using an eyedropper, mix essential oil (such as lemon or eucalyptus) with alcohol or witch hazel and distilled water in a spray bottle. Spritz in each room for an instant refresh.
DIY natural room sprays
14. Go through your book collection
It’s so easy to accumulate books that are bulky, heavy, and hard to lug around if you have to move house. Pick up each book and be realistic – will you actually read it again? Is it a favourite? Does having it give you pleasure? If not, give it to a friend or donate it. If you want to go one step further, you could then organise your books alphabetically or by colour.
It’s so easy to accumulate books that are bulky, heavy, and hard to lug around if you have to move house. Pick up each book and be realistic – will you actually read it again? Is it a favourite? Does having it give you pleasure? If not, give it to a friend or donate it. If you want to go one step further, you could then organise your books alphabetically or by colour.
15. Declutter your desk
A tidy workspace can make all the difference to how productive you are in that space. Eliminate any non-essential paperwork or ornaments. Give the desk a good wipe down and place an inspiring quote on the wall or some fresh flowers in a vase (you could use clippings from your garden). Consider getting a cable organiser to prevent a tangle of cords.
TELL US
Do you plan on doing any of these mini-home makeovers in 2017? Share your ideas with us in the Comments.
MORE
Read more decorating stories
A tidy workspace can make all the difference to how productive you are in that space. Eliminate any non-essential paperwork or ornaments. Give the desk a good wipe down and place an inspiring quote on the wall or some fresh flowers in a vase (you could use clippings from your garden). Consider getting a cable organiser to prevent a tangle of cords.
TELL US
Do you plan on doing any of these mini-home makeovers in 2017? Share your ideas with us in the Comments.
MORE
Read more decorating stories
When your artworks have been in the same spot for years, you can become blind to their beauty. By repositioning your artworks, you bring them to your attention again. Before you move them, get someone to help hold them up in the desired spot so you can get a feel for how they look. You might be surprised by which artwork combos look good – and which ones don’t.