How to Give Your Home a Refresh During the Pandemic
Written by Megan Cooper
Photo from Pixabay
How to Give Your Home a Refresh During the Pandemic
A year spent inside your home has given you plenty of time to notice those rooms in need of a refresh to an updated style or a more useful function. Now it’s time to use some of the following tips presented by Family Tree Realty NY to give your home the refresh it deserves.
Cut the Clutter
Decluttering is the first step in your refresh project, as spending a year stuck at home drew your attention to clothes, accessories, furniture and small appliances that you are not using. Getting those items out of your home and putting them to good use will leave you looking at items you love and use and give you space to bring in new things you are excited about. Donate anything you haven’t used in a year and throw away things that are past their prime.
Paper Those Walls
Wallpaper is making a design comeback and is an easy way to change the look of any size room instantly. Today’s options are durable and offer various attractive designs to fit in with your overall style, whether that’s eclectic, elegant, cozy or whimsical. You can even create your own pattern and have it printed on demand whenever you need it, eliminating the fear of the paper being out of stock before you finish the job. The latest trend is peel-and-stick wallpaper with an adhesive backing that makes it a breeze to apply or remove and reposition any sections that look crooked.
Update the Window Treatments
If you’re tired of the draperies you have had for several years, update them with new window treatments, such as curtains, blinds, shades or shutters. Combine function with design by choosing energy-saving draperies or cellular shades, or go for convenience with motorized blinds you can easily control with your voice on your smart home device. For a more elegant look, consider interior shutters in a light or dark color.
Change the Light Fixtures
Brighten up a room by changing out a dated light fixture to a fresh new design. Then, equip it with a light bulb that makes its own statement, such as the bright bare filament Edison bulb or the diffused look of milky glass. You can install smart bulbs and control them with an app on your smartphone. Adding dimmers lets you instantly change the room’s look from bright to cozy, depending on your mood.
Install Wood Flooring
If the carpeting in the family room has seen better days, give it an upgrade to beautiful hardwood flooring. Real estate agents agree that homes featuring wood floors sell faster and for up to 10% more than an identical home without them. Additionally, these types of upgrades can easily improve the appraisal value of your property. The vintage look is still popular with scratches, dents and scuffs adding texture and visual interest to the wood while colors trend in the neutral shades of blonde, white, gray and light brown.
Add New Artwork
Bringing in a few new pieces of art will give a fresh new look to any room. Choose something that defines your personality and fits the available space. For example, consider a wall of photos for your home office or a soothing landscape for the bedroom. Small colorful prints can also brighten up the kitchen or a bathroom.
Making one or more of these decor changes to your home will give you the fresh new look you’ve been dreaming about during the long days of the pandemic.
Are you a first-time homebuyer who’s just beginning the process of hunting for a house? If so, get in touch with Family Tree Realty NY. Call 516-642-6283 today