The world of home decor can be as exciting and fast-paced as the real estate market itself. The only downside is that it can be expensive and time-consuming to redesign your home from top to bottom. That’s why we put together this guide to help give your decor a brand new look with just a few minor details and without spending a fortune. Best of all, everything you need is around the corner at your local hardware store.
Here are a few ideas to test out just in time for summer!
New Paint
Few things can brighten up your home like white paint. Why white? It may not sound glamorous, but white throughout makes even a tiny room look more spacious. It can also make a gloomy space instantly brighter and more cheery.
Want another reason to love it? Evidence from the Better Sleep Council suggests that a white bedroom adds a calming effect and can actually improve your quality of rest.
A fresh coat of paint is one of the least expensive ways to give your home a makeover. Doing it yourself makes it even more so. Of course, you can be creative and choose whatever colour you want, but white has a lot of benefits. Professional tip: If you are planning to sell your house, we always recommend white paint. The online photos are more appealing, and the canvas helps your home decor stand out.
Speaking of selling your home, here are some other tips to help you make the most of your sale:
- Tips To Make Your Home Appeal to Younger Buyers
- 6 Tips To Preparing Your House For The Spring Market
- 5 Reasons To Consider Listing Your Home Exclusively
Curated Shelves
It may sound hard to believe, but there are countless ways to decorate and add atmosphere to your home by using shelves. Floating shelves, corner shelves, bookcases and corner cabinets can all add a touch of class while helping you get organized and eliminate clutter.
Best of all, you can pick up some stylish shelves from your local store for less than $200.
Techniques for decorating with shelves:
- Vary between horizontal and vertical placements to add visual interest
- Tie it all together with a single, underlying theme. Decide whether you want a post-modern, Hollywood glam, or elegant country look and choose your pieces accordingly.
- Decide what to display on your shelves. Their purpose is to look organized and stylish, not to be catch-holders for everything you own. Books, plants, sculptures, candle holders and vases are just a few decor items that make your shelves look beautiful.
- Add a splash of colour. Paint the background of your shelves to add variety and visual interest.
Do you have more room in your budget and want more in-depth ways to redesign your home? These other posts will give you something to think about:
- Top 5 Luxury Design Features in Modern Toronto Homes
- 5 Kitchen Trends to Try In Your Luxury Home
- 6 Old Design Trends That Are Making a Comeback
Wall Art
You may not think of a hardware store as the place to buy art, but you’ll be surprised at how many hidden gems you can find at stores like Home Hardware and HomeSense. You can often find paintings, light catchers and other ornaments just in time for the new season.
You’ll be glad if you followed our earlier advice to paint your walls white because now your artwork will really pop!
For the best results, decide on an overall theme for the home at large, but give every room an individual approach. Of course, bedrooms should be decorated wholly to the taste of the family member that lives there!
Professional design experts advise you to choose your decor carefully and not overdo it. One central piece complemented by several smaller design items provides a thoughtful, curated aesthetic.
How Much is Too Much?
Your home shouldn’t just look beautiful to you. It should feel right. For some people, a house that is decorated too ornately can make you feel unsettled or even uncomfortable. For others, a maximalist theme creates a feeling of excitement and interest. Individual tastes vary, and the right amount of art is the amount that makes you fall in love with your home every time you open the door.
Decorative Lighting
What else should you put on your list for your trip to your favourite hardware store? No discussion of home decor would be complete without lighting. Decorative lamps and light fixtures don’t just help you see where you’re going. Strategically placed, they add a sense of beauty and character to your home. Here are a few types of lighting you will need:
- Ambient overhead lighting to cast a relaxing glow throughout the room.
- Task lighting for reading nooks or anywhere you need additional light.
- Torch lamps to brighten corners and showcase potted plants, indoor trees, or other decorative pieces.
You can find chandeliers and decorative lamps of all kinds at any hardware or decor store. For a very inexpensive way to brighten your home, try hanging string lights along the fireplace. You can change them out for the season. Skeleton lights add a touch of spookiness and personality for Halloween. You can also hang snowflake lights to brighten the winter season!
Outside Curb Appeal
Summer is coming! With it, the chance to turn the outside of your house into an outdoor paradise. And once again, your local hardware store will come through for you. If you’re on a shoestring budget, you can’t fail with potted plants or flowers. You can buy colourful clay pots to place around your front porch for a few dollars. Or try some inexpensive shepherd hooks to hang a selection of potted plants.
An outdoor fountain is a beautiful way to welcome visitors and family members that they’ll be talking about for months!
Once you’ve finished your outdoor design, you’ll want to highlight it with solar lighting. You’ll find hanging lights, stone lights, path markers and more that can light up your porch and driveway. Outdoor lighting looks beautiful and can help keep visitors safe after the sun goes down.
For added effect, a few string lights around your porch, bushes, or windows can illuminate your home all year long!
Thinking of selling your home? We are the staging experts! Find out more about our process here.