Decorating
10 Ways Your Tax Refund Can Refresh Your Space
What better way to put your cash injection to good use than by sprucing up your home? We'll show you how to get the most bang for your buck
By now, most of you will have found time to process your tax refund for this year and, if you’re lucky, you may have already received the fruits of your labour in your bank account. At last, you can breathe a sigh of relief. You can finally break out the plethora of decorating and design ideas you have been holding back on – and it’s all thanks to your newly flush bank balance. Whether you’re planning to do a little or a lot, there are plenty of ways you can change the look of your space with just a few smart and savvy tweaks. Here are 10 ideas to get you started.
2. Invest in … wallpaper
For a while there wallpaper felt dated, but now that it’s back, it’s back in a big way. The good news is that wallpaper no longer has to be a ‘forever’ decision. These days, you can buy removable wall decals, which means that even renters can get in on the game. Notice how this wall makes the entire room stand out? If you pick a statement-making pattern, you can (and should) relax when it comes to the rest of your decor – the wall will give the room more than enough interest all on its own.
Check out how to use bold wallpapers in your home
For a while there wallpaper felt dated, but now that it’s back, it’s back in a big way. The good news is that wallpaper no longer has to be a ‘forever’ decision. These days, you can buy removable wall decals, which means that even renters can get in on the game. Notice how this wall makes the entire room stand out? If you pick a statement-making pattern, you can (and should) relax when it comes to the rest of your decor – the wall will give the room more than enough interest all on its own.
Check out how to use bold wallpapers in your home
3. Invest in … statement art
What’s art for if not to make a statement? Think of those occasions you have walked into a room, and your head has immediately swivelled around to the piece of eye-catching art on the wall. See if you can replicate that feeling in your own home. The key to making a statement with wall art is to find a piece that makes people want to talk about it. Maybe it’s controversial, maybe it’s kooky, or maybe it’s just plain old and bold – don’t hold back.
What’s art for if not to make a statement? Think of those occasions you have walked into a room, and your head has immediately swivelled around to the piece of eye-catching art on the wall. See if you can replicate that feeling in your own home. The key to making a statement with wall art is to find a piece that makes people want to talk about it. Maybe it’s controversial, maybe it’s kooky, or maybe it’s just plain old and bold – don’t hold back.
4. Invest in … printed upholstery
Upholstery is hardly new to the decorating world, but in recent years the choices have become, well, bolder. While once we might have only been able to choose between a basic pinstripe and a simple floral, now you can be as loud and proud as you like when you pick your pattern. Once again, though, if you decide to upholster your furniture in printed fabric, you should opt for minimalist touches elsewhere in order to let your bold new furniture stand out.
Step inside this sunny home
Upholstery is hardly new to the decorating world, but in recent years the choices have become, well, bolder. While once we might have only been able to choose between a basic pinstripe and a simple floral, now you can be as loud and proud as you like when you pick your pattern. Once again, though, if you decide to upholster your furniture in printed fabric, you should opt for minimalist touches elsewhere in order to let your bold new furniture stand out.
Step inside this sunny home
5. Invest in … mirrors
Thanks to budget constraints, many of us have to make do with smaller spaces than we’d like. But just because it is small doesn’t mean it has to look small. A mirror is a great way to open up a space and make the room feel bigger and brighter than it actually is. Ideally, look for a large mirror that draws the eye and place it behind your furniture, or if it’s floor-length, just off to the side. If a large mirror isn’t going to work in your space, a grouped selection of smaller mirrors can have the same effect.
Thanks to budget constraints, many of us have to make do with smaller spaces than we’d like. But just because it is small doesn’t mean it has to look small. A mirror is a great way to open up a space and make the room feel bigger and brighter than it actually is. Ideally, look for a large mirror that draws the eye and place it behind your furniture, or if it’s floor-length, just off to the side. If a large mirror isn’t going to work in your space, a grouped selection of smaller mirrors can have the same effect.
6. Invest in … a new palette
One of the quickest and easiest ways to change the feel of a room is by changing the colour palette of your decor – specifically, your cushions, curtains and any other small decorative objects. Here, there is only one rule to follow, and that is to find a “common thread” among all your pieces. So, in this example, the common thread is clearly grey-blue. It is the one constant theme, despite the varying prints, patterns and styles that you can see in the room.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to change the feel of a room is by changing the colour palette of your decor – specifically, your cushions, curtains and any other small decorative objects. Here, there is only one rule to follow, and that is to find a “common thread” among all your pieces. So, in this example, the common thread is clearly grey-blue. It is the one constant theme, despite the varying prints, patterns and styles that you can see in the room.
7. Invest in … a pop of colour
Using colour isn’t for everyone, but if you use it right, you can quickly change the way a room looks and feels. In this example, you’ll notice how the bright green bed frame is the focus of this room despite the fact it is filled with bold prints and unusual decor. This just goes to show that even a small pop of colour can completely change the atmosphere. Though there are exceptions to the rule, it is typically best to balance out the use of bright colour with some neutral hues.
Using colour isn’t for everyone, but if you use it right, you can quickly change the way a room looks and feels. In this example, you’ll notice how the bright green bed frame is the focus of this room despite the fact it is filled with bold prints and unusual decor. This just goes to show that even a small pop of colour can completely change the atmosphere. Though there are exceptions to the rule, it is typically best to balance out the use of bright colour with some neutral hues.
8. Invest in … a feature wall
Although a feature wall may take a while to put together from start to finish, it will be well worth it. However, you need to make sure you are left with something that will stand the test of time, because this is one project you probably won’t want to revisit for a while. In this particular case, the feature wall comes in the form of a dark blue bookshelf. The blue hue works perfectly; it is a classic colour that won’t age. Meanwhile, the books and objects, though artfully arranged, can be reshuffled whenever you get a new burst of inspiration.
Here are some more feature walls to be inspired by
Although a feature wall may take a while to put together from start to finish, it will be well worth it. However, you need to make sure you are left with something that will stand the test of time, because this is one project you probably won’t want to revisit for a while. In this particular case, the feature wall comes in the form of a dark blue bookshelf. The blue hue works perfectly; it is a classic colour that won’t age. Meanwhile, the books and objects, though artfully arranged, can be reshuffled whenever you get a new burst of inspiration.
Here are some more feature walls to be inspired by
9. Invest in … contrast
For most of us, when it comes to decorating we pick a theme and run with it. Some of us prefer eclectic spaces while others prefer classic touches. However, there are plenty of us that don’t fall neatly into any one category – and that is where contrast comes in. Notice here how an otherwise modern and minimalist room has been given a spark of personality thanks to the oversized deco chandelier? Contrasting one style with another is a sure-fire way to draw the eye into the room – and keep it there.
For most of us, when it comes to decorating we pick a theme and run with it. Some of us prefer eclectic spaces while others prefer classic touches. However, there are plenty of us that don’t fall neatly into any one category – and that is where contrast comes in. Notice here how an otherwise modern and minimalist room has been given a spark of personality thanks to the oversized deco chandelier? Contrasting one style with another is a sure-fire way to draw the eye into the room – and keep it there.
10. Invest in … all-out colour
Forget everything you ever thought you knew about using colour. If you want to be bold – really bold – this is how you do it. This might not be the easiest decor makeover to pull off, but it’s certainly one of the best ways to put your tax refund to good use. As mentioned earlier, it’s best to look for a common theme when you are working with colour. The pretty hues used in this space tie the room together nicely.
MORE
How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
From Bedroom to Boutique Hotel-Style Boudoir
10 Ways to Make Your Statement Mirror the Fairest of Them All
TELL US
What will you be spending your tax refund on? Share your ideas in the comments section below – no matter how wild or whacky they may be!
Forget everything you ever thought you knew about using colour. If you want to be bold – really bold – this is how you do it. This might not be the easiest decor makeover to pull off, but it’s certainly one of the best ways to put your tax refund to good use. As mentioned earlier, it’s best to look for a common theme when you are working with colour. The pretty hues used in this space tie the room together nicely.
MORE
How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
From Bedroom to Boutique Hotel-Style Boudoir
10 Ways to Make Your Statement Mirror the Fairest of Them All
TELL US
What will you be spending your tax refund on? Share your ideas in the comments section below – no matter how wild or whacky they may be!
Sure, a fruit bowl, you say. But we’re not just talking about any fruit bowl. We’re talking about a head-turning, larger-than-life fruit bowl, filled to the brim with fresh fruit. Think: installation art, not supermarket stand. To do this, you need to look for fruits that come from the same colour family. Mangoes, pineapples, paw paws and oranges would work well, as would Granny Smiths, limes, avocados and green grapes. Style the fruit in a statement-making bowl and give it pride of place in the kitchen/dining area. And, most importantly, refresh the bowl when the fruit is past its prime.