Sitting and watching another “Fixer Upper” while scrolling through Instagram where my feed has become mostly made up of accounts of interior decorators that I love, I look up and see…my less than picturesque house.
I actively start tallying up all the projects I needed to get too to get me the Instagram worthy house I so desire. But, alas, there is no budget for new cabinets or backsplashes or hardwoods so…am I ever going to fully love what I already have?
There are many things you can do today, including a few that cost little to zero dollars that can instantly transform your home and attitude on the days where everything just seems blah but will refresh your vision on your home quick!
- Do the dishes!
Seriously, this sounds less than awesome and really quite boring. But get the dishes done; give your sink a good scrubbing and then move on to the countertops. Put things where they belong and move unnecessary things off your counter that you don’t absolutely have to have on them. Light a candle and shut the light off. Fresh and clean with no junk piles clouding your view.
- Add flowers to your table
Bringing fresh cut flowers inside makes a room come alive. If you don’t have a garden out front or the season is wrong, go get a nice arrangement from the grocery store and make them a pretty centerpiece on your dining room table.
- Print off new photos
For the picture frames around your home go gather them and make note of their sizes. Then take some time printing off some updated photos to put in them. Season compatible photos are an awesome touch that helps a room look like it’s decorated for the season even if it’s not.
- Take down all decorations
This is time-consuming and sort of crazy for a little bit but taking everything down, dusting it off and deciding if you really love it any more or not is imperative for being in a home you are proud of. I used to put whatever I “sort of”like on the walls because I didn’t want the walls to be bare and I didn’t have a budget to go blow at hobby lobby. However, now I only put things up that I love or that means something special to my family and I. Buying something on a trip or finding a good antique while out with your girlfriend means a lot more than just throwing something on the wall just because.
- Update your throw pillows
Throw pillows can be ungodly expensive especially for pillows you don’t actually sleep on, but keeping the ones you have and buying new covers for them is a quick update that cost half the money. Amazon has some great options or, if you can sew or are crafty I’ve heard it’s easy to make your own covers for cheap!
- Buy a new shower curtain
For the bathroom that might feel neglected and ugly, buying a new shower curtain can transform the whole room. If you have the budget for a little more add a cute rug and some shelves above the toilet to add some cute décor too. It doesn’t have to be pricey but the bathroom is an important room to like because your guests will most likely visit it at least once during their stay, let’s make it a welcoming room.
- Open your windows
If it is warm literally open them, let the fresh air and light in. If it’s too cold open the blinds. Pull the curtains back and get accustomed to the views outside your window. Let the outside in, even if it’s through a paned glass.
- Buy matching frames
If candid photos are your thing and you love to have them displayed, buying all the same style frame keeps the room looking uniform without all of the business of different frames everywhere. Simple sleek black or gold frames are classic and timeless, the perfect thing to use to display your precious memories.
- Invite company over
Our homes are an opportunity to have and cultivate relationships. Having friends or family over for a night of games or a birthday party is a quick way to fall in love with your home. Seeing everyone leave after an evening of laughing and good conversation puts all décor choices to shame.
- Keep the clutter picked up
This isn’t profound, but keeping the clutter out of sight and focusing on the parts that make you feel at peace and at ease is exactly what you should do in your home. Shut the door to the messy bedroom; don’t open the closet that needs to be cleaned. Work on that stuff a different day. Today, focus on what you can do and let that be enough.
What are some areas in your home you’ve come to love through simple updates or inexpensive changes?! Leave a comment below!
