By Jorge de Villasante
At-home time during the pandemic gave many people cabin fever. The result was a sudden desire to make home a place people WANTED to be. Refurbishing, redecorating and renewing living spaces took off, spurring new decorating ideas and trends. If you’ve been re-envisioning the look and feel of your living space but don’t want to break the bank, here are some ways to spice up your home without spending a lot of money.
Turn Your Home Green
According to scientists, adding plants to your house makes the atmosphere psychologically therapeutic. Plants enhance mood and productivity and filter the air, not to mention, improve a home’s aesthetic. A golden pothos hanging basket, found at most local greenhouses, is an easy one to add to any home.
Not only is it inexpensive, it’s also very easy to care for, and it purifies the air at home. Once the vines grow, cut a few off. Make sure there are approximately 3 inches on the vine with no leaves and place them in an empty container with a narrow top such as a wine bottle, a jar or a tall, thin glass. Add some water, and you now have a hydroponic plant! Try placing small stones or colorful aquarium gravel in the container to spruce it up a bit.
Shop Vintage
If you’re looking to replace expensive items like furniture, try your local Goodwill. Or check out pre-owned items at thrift shops run by the Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity. Couches, recliners, coffee tables, chairs and bedroom furniture can be found in good condition at many thrift stores at a fraction of the price of retail stores. You may also find a hidden treasure at a secondhand store that you wouldn’t have thought
about otherwise. Don’t forget to scope out yard sales and even Craig’slist. In addition to snagging expensive furniture for much less, you can also find countless home décor items.
Paint and Rearrange Furniture
Adding a fresh coat of paint to furniture can breathe new life into it. For a few dollars, try painting furniture you own or buy at a vintage goods store. You can also paint walls without investing too much. Choose a matching color you love and refresh the whole area. Pastels like lavender, powder blue, vanilla and many more pale shades are in fashion, as they reflect peace, nature and relaxation.
If you decide to rearrange furniture or knick-knacks, place them symmetrically to enhance balance and harmony. For example, on a TV stand, place three decorations on the right of the TV and three more on the left. Be sure they are similar in size and style.
Add Cozy Candles
Candles are a great way to add a fresh look and feel to your home. Adding candles to your living room coffee table, for example, can make your space cozy and warm. You’ll find candles and holders to match any style and look you’re going for. And lighting candles on long, dark winter evenings is sure to boost the ambiance and make your home more inviting.
Spruce up the Bathroom
Give the bathroom a refresh by replacing your old shower curtain with a new, vibrant one. Shower curtains are easy and quick to hang and typically affordable. While you’re at it, replace the area rugs. You can incorporate a new bathroom rug or even a hallway runner in the latest patterns or colors. Area rugs, like candles, don’t cost a lot, and replacing and or rotating a few at home can renew your enjoyment of some of the most-used areas of the house.
Are you ready for change? Reworking your home interior might be the perfect way to close out winter. You can incorporate the personal touch and the latest trends without making a huge investment. Start envisioning the way your home could look, and enjoy giving it the facelift you’ve been imagining.
Jorge de Villasante is a multilingual writer and translator who enjoys traveling as much as he enjoys his home and caring for his two cats.
