El Residente
36 Design Wise by Shelagh Duncan
Ten Simple Ways to Update Your Home Without Breaking the Bank
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ou might be quite happy with your current interior decor, but like any solid, long-term relationship, it can get a bit stale. With us spending so much more time in our homes these days, why not try a few simple ideas to reinvigorate your space and make it look fresh and new – so you can fall in love with your home all over again! You don’t need to buy a bunch of new stuff to give your home a fresh look. Just take what you’ve already got and mix it up! That’s what interior designers do. First we look through what clients already own, because treasures may be hidden in a cupboard or closet or sitting on a shelf that no one ever notices. Have a look around your home, open the drawers, clear some shelves and countertops and start fresh. Swap out mirrors, table lamps, throw blankets and pillows. Rotate artwork into different positions, rearrange the books and try out new objects on the coffee and dining table. Here are some more ideas to get you going.
1. ADD SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO YOUR ENTRYWAY Change the wall art to a mirror – or vice-versa, change up a lamp or the table. Painting a wall in the entrance will give a completely new first impression of your home. Just making a small change can make a big difference.
2. CREATE A NEW CENTERPIECE FOR THE COFFEE OR DINING TABLE If you’ve got a few tablecloths sitting in the drawer, get them out and use them. Arrange one like a table runner. Head outside for a large plant leaf or two, add some fruit, candles, or a vase of your favorite tropical blooms, or use three identical vases in a row with one Monstera or Philodendron leaf in each. Remember that a centerpiece needn’t be alive. A favorite large
