Spring is a time of new beginnings. Many of us are yearning for a new look—be it a new hair style, outfit, or living room. Regarding the latter, a simple arrangement of furniture or fresh coat of paint could do the trick, and cost less than a haircut. But how can you ensure the change will really be an improvement? What are some truly effective ways to revive a living room, kitchen, or whole house without spending a ton of money?
The first step is to know thyself: it’s essential that the redesign reflects your own sense of style, rather than looking perfect. “Design is subjective. You need to identify your needs and find out what’s making you not happy about a room,” said Maria Mendoza, an interior designer and proprietor of home furnishings store Marigold Home, located on Route 28 next to Hickory Barbecue.
“If everything’s matchy matchy, it’s boring and dead,” added Allan Skriloff, an interior designer based in Mount Tremper and New York City. Forget matching a pillow or wall color to the teal blue of the lake depicted in a painting on your wall; instead, try to create a mixture of textures and colors. “The more individual and different the design, the more it’s to your taste,” he said. “You don’t want things to look done.”
That said, there are some basic tricks of the trade that can go a long way toward successfully remaking a room at little cost and effort. Here’s some tips from the experts.
Make changes keyed to the seasons
In the old days, people replaced their heavy drapes and carpets with something lighter and brighter in the summer, said Skriloff. Perking up a sofa with a bright , colorful pillow in a lighter fabric or throwing a patterned throw rug over a beige carpet can bring a bit of spring into our rooms. Mix fabrics and textures—for example, a pale silk pillow looks great on a chenille sofa, a combination Mendoza showcases in her store.
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