5 Eye-Catching Ways to Update Your Home
Your home is a reflection of you, and your decor should match your
tastes. With some simple home upgrades, you can create the perfect space for you
and your family, even if your design preferences change over time.
"When we're designing our ideal home, too often we may only think about what we
want others to see and enjoy when they visit," said Jack Goldman, president and
CEO of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA). "The reality is visitors
account for less than 1% of your in-home time."
Consider these ideas to get started:
Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
One of the easiest home improvement projects, a fresh coat of paint can change
the entire look of a room. Whether you choose to paint the entire space one new
color, opt for an accent wall in a vibrant shade or simply freshen up the trim,
paint can go a long way toward adding visual appeal and reflecting your
personality. Patterned wallpaper, board and batten, stone and tile can also be
added to create textured accents.
Bring Warmth and Ambience with a Fireplace
"A fireplace is for you and your family, a personal addition that serves you and
your household in more ways than you may realize," Goldman said. "October is
National Fireplace Month, a time to celebrate the warmth, comfort and ambiance a
fireplace or stove can bring to a home."
More than 3 in 5 homeowners have a fireplace or other hearth product in their
homes, according to the HPBA, and including a fireplace in your construction or
renovation plans is a gift of warmth, comfort and ambiance you can give
yourself. Whether it's a centerpiece for your living room or family room, or an
accent to your bedroom, bathroom or study, a fireplace can provide an artful
design element for your home and a safe, reliable heat source in the event of
unexpected weather.
Update Lighting Fixtures
Proper lighting can bring rooms to life and make spaces look larger and more
welcoming. You can brighten up your home in a variety of ways, from
strategically placing table and floor lamps that fit your design style to
replacing older ceiling and wall-mounted fixtures with more modern styles.
Give Cabinetry a Fresh Look
There are numerous easy ways to update your kitchen and bathroom cabinets to
create a more updated look. One of the easiest is swapping out older cabinet
pulls and knobs for more modern options. With a variety of finishes - stainless,
bronze, brushed nickel, black, copper and more - and styles available, you can
match your cabinets to nearly any design style in a matter of minutes. Adding a
coat of stain or paint is also a relatively quick and easy way to update some of
the most-used spaces in your home without completely replacing the cabinets.
Upcycle Furniture
You can breathe new life into your current furniture by making simple changes.
The easiest would be simply rearranging your pieces and moving some to different
rooms to create an updated look. You can also add decorative covers to sofas,
chairs, throw pillows and more, or take your upcycling a step further and
refinish a bookshelf, table or other wooden furniture with a fresh coat of paint
or stain, or give it a more weathered look with some sandpaper.
Find more ideas for upgrading your home at HPBA.org/house-warming.