Four Cost Effective Ways to Transform Your Space
Over the past five years of marriage we have lived in two apartments and two homes (soon to be three) and as a serial mover, here are the most cost effective and design effective ways to transform your home.
Paint. This one is obvious and has been said a million times but it is so important it is worth saying again. A fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference in a room. It's one of the most cost-effective ways to update the look of a space. I love when people go for it with color. Some of my favorite interior designers use color beautifully. But there is something to be said about brightening up your space with a fresh coat of white paint. There are so many solid options, but any color is going to drastically change in every room. It is important to test out all your options in each room you plan to paint. I recommend looking at the swatches in the morning, afternoon, and evening to get an idea of how it changes throughout the day. Then, just choose your favorite. Choosing paint color is like choosing your perfume, it is personal and everyone is going to prefer something different. If you are wanting to choose a different paint color for every room, I would recommend creating a color story so that all of your rooms tell a similar story. Many paint website will actually give recommendations for colors based on your preferences.
Hardware. I know many people want to go in and paint or rip out their cabinets, but if you are not ready to invest into new cabinets or the effort to paint yet, I highly recommend updating your hardware. I love checking out places like Lowe’s, Home Depot, or even Amazon to look for cabinet knobs at a great price. I have found excellent quality at all of these places and actually ended up ordering the same hardware from our first home in our townhouse. You can find hardware at a variety of price points, so even if you're on a tight budget, you should be able to find something that works for you.
Door Knobs. There are so many spec homes, early 2000’s homes, and apartments that were built with cheap looking door knobs and honestly it is a dead giveaway that your home is dated. This is another element I updated in both of our homes. They're inexpensive and so easy to install. If you know the overall style you are trying to achieve in your home or if you chose one metal to go throughout the house there are a wide variety of options, so you're sure to find something that you like. Personally, I love high contrast right now and gravitate towards a matte black finish.
Light Fixtures. Light fixtures can show off the design style of any room even if it has zero furniture, and updating them can be very affordable. If you are flipping a 70’s style home, look no further than some funky mid-century options. Purchasing a modern farmhouse? A simple matte black fixture may be the perfect fit. I love when the inside of the home tells the story of the time it was built. If you love the style of your lights but not the metal, spray painting them is always an option.
I hope you try some of these small changes for your home and you experience their impact. Keep in mind that these are only a few of the many ways to update your space. There are many other cost-effective elements that can be done to your home, so don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box.
