Sometimes you don’t need an entire redesign, and actually all you need is a little switch up to make a big impact on a room. Here are some tips to help you upgrade your space with minimal effort.

1. Add more lighting

Don’t underestimate the impact that good lighting can have on your home - bedrooms and living rooms especially need more than just one overhead light. Adding accent lighting can transform a room - it can improve the atmosphere, accentuate decor, and create a focal point.

Try adding some lamps at different levels throughout your space (and always with a warm toned bulb), and turning off the overhead light in the evening - it’ll make the space really cosy and warm.

2. Re-hang your art and prints

Having a zhuzh up of your art is a great way to quickly upgrade a room, and the number 1 rule if you really want to make an impact, is to not go too small with your art.

That doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy a new giant piece of art - try grouping together what you already have.

If you’re hanging art above a piece of furniture (e.g. a sideboard, bed or a sofa), an easy rule of thumb is that the art should be at least 2/3rds the width of the furniture - whether that’s one big piece or multiple small ones.

3. Add plants

A great way to breathe some life and freshness into your interior is to add plants. Adding something green and living into a room can instantly refresh it, as well as provide a focal point especially if you go for something large.

Ways you can incorporate plants include large statement plants in pots on the floor or plant stands, hanging plants from hooks or brackets, and adding long plants to shelves.

4. Replace hardware

A DIY handle upgrade is a great way to give a new lease of life to some tired furniture, your doors, or even your kitchen.

You’d be surprised at how much of an impact swapping out the hardware in a kitchen makes, especially if it’s an older kitchen with standard door pulls. Take the example below - the cupboards in the first look pretty bland and dated, but the addition of matte black hardware has created a much more modern and stylish look in the second kitchen.

5. Style your shelves

If you have shelves, then you have the opportunity to make a really appeasing focal point in your room. There’s no need to go out and buy loads of things too, you can often make a really nice display with objects you already own.

Take everything off the shelves, give them a clean, then start adding back. Play with different heights by adding books and magazines, and taller picture frames. Add height by stacking books and putting objects or candles on top.

6. Refresh your rug

Finally - a new rug can have a transformative impact on a space; it can add warmth, add a focal point, change the colour and light of a room, and refresh the style of a space. Check out my blog post about how to choose the perfect rug.

If you’d like my help with your next project, check out my services to see how we can work together. If you’ve enjoyed this blog, don’t forget to subscribe below to receive my new post in your inbox every Sunday.

6 easy upgrades you can make to a room