Community and Commercial Builder
Community and Commercial Builder
12 Easy Ways to Transform Any Space
By WEST INDIES HOME CONTRACTORS
The desire to refresh your living space may emerge, ever so often, especially when your space feels dated or dysfunctional. Some people may get deflated assuming that making a change requires too much time, effort and money. However, that’s simply not true. A few well placed adjustments and design touches can transform any space into a place you can easily fall in love with!
1. Give it Character with Patterns
If one of the problems you have with your space is that it feels drab or underwhelming. One way to add a bit of vivacity is with a few well placed bold patterns. Mixing patterns especially in your cushions, your throws and rugs is a great place to start. A few patterns will amplify the room, so no need to buy tons of cushions and rugs. One well placed, modestly sized rug and a few cushions will give you all the patterns you need to jazz up your space.
https://wihcon.com/blog/12-easy-ways-to-transform-any-space/
Quick tip: Be deliberate in your fabric choices especially if you are sewing your cushions yourself or having them custom made. Go for fabrics that feel great and patterns that will wow!
2.Create a Focal Point
Some rooms naturally have an area of interest that most people will gravitate towards. This is usually the biggest feature like a bookcase, a king size canopy bed or a large bay window. Creating a focal point is doable in any room. One of the easiest ways to create a focal point is with the use of something slightly oversized and colourful. A beautiful painting placed strategically in the centre of a wall that you can see on entry or a large sumptuous vase filled with an impressive floral arrangement or even open shelving with fascinating collectibles can all serve as a focal point especially if they are placed in areas where they get the greatest level of visibility.
Quick tip: Whatever you choose as the focal point should be highlighted by the wall closest to it, not washed out or weighed down. That means if your focal point is a beautiful dark armoire, it will be best complemented by a soothing off white, neutral ash grey or any other toned down shade.
3.Introduce an Accent Wall
An accent wall is a great way to enliven any space and bring much needed colour into a room that is uninspired. An accent wall can be created by using a contrasting or bolder paint shade on one wall in the space or using wall paper with print that accentuates and complements the rest of the room.
Quick Tip: If going very bold in a bedroom ensure your accent wall does not directly face your bed. Very bright colours may be less conducive to restful sleep.
4.Create a Feature Wall
Create an area on your wall to highlight those things which are most sentimental. Consider using frames of different sizes and experiment with their layout to create even more visual interest.
Quick Tip: To make pieces stand out more, consider padding each framed object with additional white space.
5.Change your Throw Pillows
Your throw pillows or cushions are some of the hardest working accessories in your home. They get sat on… thrown and even stepped on especially in homes with young children. While these hardy items can stand up to a lot, they can become worn and less attractive as time marches onward. Thus one of the quickest decoration fixes you can apply is replacing your throw pillows when doing a room refresher.
Quick tip: Consider a maximalist approach and go for bolder hues and patterns.
6.Declutter
One of the biggest impediments to revealing the true potential of any space is how much extraneous and unnecessary items currently occupy the space. Take a good look at your room and identify pieces that simply DO NOT belong or that need to be concealed with some urgency. Once you are able to identify those things that don’t belong you will then be able to determine what stays and what goes.
Quick Tip: If you are finding it difficult to part ways with some items consider using a space saving option like a revamped trunk that can act as a multi purpose decorative item/storage solution.
7.Rearrange the Furniture
Nothing makes a space feel more refreshed than a change in how you place your furniture. Even a simple change like the direction of a longer table within a confined space can give the room more flare.
Quick Tip: Always plan ahead by measuring each piece of furniture before rearranging multiple items. You do not want to end up in a situation where you have begun to move furniture only to realise that everything doesn’t fit.
8.Include a floral arrangement
A floral arrangement is a great way to bring warmth and nature into a given space. Choose floral options that you are able to easily maintain or go for a great artificial bouquet that looks natural enough to pass muster.
Quick Tip: Place special importance on the vase you are using especially if your floral arrangement will be placed on a high surface.
9.Add a Unique Lamp
A unique lamp will add a bit of whimsy to any space. Consider a lamp with an ultra modern style in a place where it will give adequate illumination and stand out visually.
Quick Tip: You can add even more colour to your space by going for a lamp shade that has a complementary colour palette and unique patterns.
10.Optimize Lighting
Lighting is an often overlooked feature that can make or break a space. The type of lighting that predominates a room can make it look more inviting or make it feel off-putting to occupy. How your lighting is positioned and the type of lighting will have a huge impact on your space. Consider switching to lighting that is softer in areas like the bedroom where the aim is relaxation. Additionally update lighting fixtures to better reflect your personal style.
Quick Tip: When updating your lighting fixtures always consider the wattage factor. If your space doesn’t require particularly bright light, opt for a 400 Lumen (5 Watt) LED bulb.
11. Express yourself with new Window Treatments
It’s amazing how window treatments have the potential to update a space and how cost effective these can be. One of the quickest and easiest ways to add colour to a room is with a new and well placed curtain, shade, blinds, valances or drapes.
Quick Tip: Always assess the natural light in your room before applying a new window treatment. This will better identify the type of window treatment that will work best within your space.
12.Bring a Mirror into the Mix
A mirror, especially a well designed and well placed one will open up your space and make a smaller room appear much larger. A wider mirror is always a plus bringing even more light into your room and adding more dimension.
Quick Tip: Consider a round mirror which will infuse your room with even more visual interest and soften other harsh lines within your space.
Resources
Isaac, J. (2018). 5 Reasons You Should Add a Round Mirror to Your Space. Retrieved from https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/round-mirror-design-ideas-262876
MHM Professional Staging. (2018). 5 Ways to Use Color to Transform a Space. Retrieved from https://professionalstaging.com/design/5-ways-to-use-color-to-transform-a-space/
Nafie, C. (2019). Find a Focal Point in a Room. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/find-a-focal-point-in-a-room-1976541
Searle, L. (2022). Mixing patterns and prints in interior design. Retrieved from https://www.homesandgardens.com/advice/how-to-mix-patterns-in-a-room
Trista. (2019). 50 Steps to Transforming Space at Home. Retrieved from https://homeaddict.io/50-steps-to-transforming-space-at-home/38/
YLighting. (n.d.). Guide to Buying LED Lighting. Retrieved from https://www.ylighting.com/blog/guide-to-buying-led-lighting/
