Home looking a little tired? Our 4 best tips for easy ways to refresh

Ok let’s just put it out there: does anyone else’s home look tired? I always get the itch to refresh in the fall before the winter months, but this year I feel like it is almost necessary to clean or replace some of our most beloved pieces after months and months of so much time indoors at home. Is it just my kids who without fail gravitate toward my most expensive throw pillows to use for forts or doll beds? In that spirit, we’ve put together our top tips for easy ways to refresh, revive, clean or replace some of our most frequently used or seen home decor. 

1) Throw pillows: 

Pillows are one of the fastest ways to totally change the look of a room. For monochromatic rooms, I love to add a splash of color with pillows. A primarily white/cream and black room looks amazing with a few burnt orange pillows. I also like to mix a few different textures and patterns. Another option is to replace your insert! After a few years or six months worth of forts, they can lose their fluff. My best advice is to measure your pillow cover and order an insert that is one inch bigger for overstuffed, expensive-looking pillows. My favorite sources are Etsy for incredible handmade patterns, and CB2 for their classic, yet modern designs. 

2) Paint + wallpaper:

It never ceases to amaze me what a new coat of paint can do for a space. Months of kids handprints and tiny scuffs can really add up and make a room feel stale. A fresh coat of paint can give a room a feeling of freshness and uniformity in a way that nothing else can. While I do always recommend that most of a home be white/neutral, I do think going bold and dark in one room or on one wall can look amazing! Darker walls can create a cozy feeling, and will also really offset any millwork details. It’s also true that wallpaper is back in a big way! I love grasscloth as a more neutral take on wallpaper, but I also think it’s fun to go for a fun pattern! Start with a powder room and see how you feel a few months in before committing to anything bigger. Another fun smaller project could be painting just the wall that is your Zoom background! This is the one you stare at all day, everyday, right? Make it fun!

3) Lighting: 

Do you ever walk into a friend’s home and think, “why does it look so much better than mine?!” Chances are it’s the lighting. It’s such a crucial part of a home’s overall look, but many times forgotten. There are hundreds of different light bulbs out there so it can be very overwhelming picking the right fit for your space. This is a great resource. Also, for those with recessed lighting, don’t forget to include a lamp or two at eye level. It really helps to warm up a space!

4) Art: 

Art is like throw pillows: switching it up can change the whole vibe of a space! If you are sick of looking at the same pieces, take a trip to your favorite home store online or in person to get ideas. I then love to shop on Etsy, where you will find a huge variety in price and artists. 

If I’m feeling really bored with a room, I also love to rearrange my furniture! It can be really enlightening to try a few different configurations and land on one that really does make a space feel infinitely bigger and more open. Plus, this tip is free!