Ah, home sweet home. We’ve all realised how important home is after being stuck inside for so long this year. I feel lucky to have such a lovely roof over our heads. It really is our safe space.
However as much as we love our homes, it seems that lockdown has ignited an array of amazing home décor and renovation projects across the country. My social media feed is absolutely full to bursting of unbelievable DIY transformations of houses and gardens. It really is amazing what can be achieved when we have the gift of time.
But, let’s face it, we’re not all super handy with enormous power tools and pieces of wood. Some of us (me included) need to look at slightly simpler ways to update and improve our homes.
Here are a few things you could consider doing that will really transform your space.
Paint your walls
DIY is really not my thing but if there’s one thing I could possibly give a go, it would be painting. And painting your walls with carefully chosen colours will alter the whole vibe of the room.
Feature walls are still very much a thing, adding interest without being overpowering.
Geometric patterns are everywhere, especially in colours like rose gold.
Choose a good quality paint – Farrow & Ball is obviously lovely if you an afford it – and make sure it’s scrubbable and or/mould-resistant in places where you need it, like kitchens and bathrooms.
Freshen up your floors
Possibly not a DIY job but a brilliant investment nonetheless. Your floors really do make your house.
If you haven’t updated your flooring since you moved in, consider whether it still works for you. Perhaps you now have a family and/or pets, and those plush, fluffy carpets just aren’t practical anymore. Something like engineered wood flooring is a good shout as it’s easier to maintain than solid wood but still looks and feels beautiful.
When considering the type of flooring you’d like, make sure it is sympathetic with your style of house. Parquet is super popular at the moment and looks stunning in most homes, particularly older style houses.
Dress your windows
I think windows can often be overlooked but how you dress them really affects the feel of a room.
Venetian blinds are a popular choice. Shutters can look stunning but are best suited to larger windows as the frame is quite chunky so can be too darkening on smaller windows. Shutters are quite a bit pricier than Venetian but they do look lovely.
In our new house, we chose curtains for the French doors in our lounge. We’ve never bought curtains before but they frame the doors perfectly and are a lovely finishing touch.
There are so many gorgeous fabrics to choose from for curtains and it can be overwhelming. Think about things such as how much light you want to let in and whether you can wash them. The length of the curtain is also important.
We bought ready-made dusky pink velvet curtains and chose a rose gold rail, and I absolutely love them.
Add artwork
We moved into a new home so our walls are genuinely a blank canvas and artwork is something we are just starting to think about (one year on, lol!).
Artwork and wall décor can truly transform a space. If you need inspiration, head to Instagram or Pinterest where there are loads of creative ideas to add interest to your walls.
We will probably have a mix of modern and retro – I’ll share them here once we’ve made some decisions!
If you’re nervous about banging nails into walls, don’t worry. You don’t even really need to hang pictures now. Simply rest them on shelves, ledges or mantelpieces for a contemporary look. It also means it’s easier to switch them up when you fancy a change.
Scatter soft furnishings
I didn’t want to mention it but the current weather seems to suggest autumn may be on its way…but it’s okay, because you can transform your home into a cosy haven with throws and cushions galore.
Think about your colour palette and play around with mixing up different textures.
Soft furnishings like throws and cushions can add a gorgeous pop of colour if you have neutral walls, and completely change the look and feel of a room.
Share your thoughts
What are your favourite ways to update your home? Have you got any big projects on the go? Please share in the comments.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Flooring365. All words and opinions are my own.