Quick Updates to Transform Any Home
It’s nearly the end of October which means the holidays will be here in the blink of an eye. In just a few short weeks, the family will be knocking on the door with pies, presents and Christmas bread. A few weeks after that it will be the dead of winter, a time when we are all likely to hibernate in the comforts of our abodes. So this time of year, we recommend an annual home check-in. Is our home ready to delight both guests and family over the next few months? Or more importantly, are we ready to hunker down in here? We rely on a few tricks of our trade to make quick and affordable updates this time of year. A few fresh changes can go a long way to hit the mark for guests and the full-time residents, us!
Change a Space Through Color
One of the fastest ways to transform a space is to look to the walls. Walls are notably the largest canvas, which can be intimidating, but that’s just why they can make so much difference. This example from Sincerely, Marie Designs demonstrates how paint can dramatically change any room. White is timeless but requires more decor. Primary colors are on their way out, but blended colors in jewel tones are hot, hot, hot. We’re inspired by this year’s millennial pink trend, but watch for midnight blue to be the winner this winter and a rich red for 2018. Exciting wallpaper has also made a comeback. Maybe it’s the spirit of the season, but we’ve been eyeing metallics in wallpaper. Draw some further inspiration by sifting through this wallpaper trends post at Freshome.
Exciting New Hardware
We tell nearly every client, from our first-time home buyers to our long-term returning partners, to think about the little things like hardware in their home. Installing new and exciting cabinet handles and lighting fixtures is a great way to elevate a room. Better yet, this is one of the most affordable ways to add elegance. In lighting trends, we expect to see fixtures with flair. Yep, for 2018 it’s the bigger the better, glowing with gold and chandeliers with character. We are drooling over the lighting ideas at Lumens this season. We also frequently find budget-friendly options at Lighting Direct.
Cabinet hardware trends are a bit more personal to fit the look of each unique kitchen space. That said, we advise clients to think about both design and functionality when they source new hardware for their cabinets and drawers. A resource we keep coming back to is over at Cliffside. In this article, they have laid out kitchen cabinet trends by room size and style.
Curtains to Round Out a Look
This year, winter curtain trends are both practical and chic. Designers are going for textured and thick curtain fabrics that will add luxury and warmth. The return of velvet to fashion has carried over to curtains and other home decor. West Elm is a great place to shop this trend with dozens of velvet curtains in different colors and styles.
Quick Wins with Organization
An annual regroup on home organization helps us keep it together, literally. We find our problem area is the common space in the living room where the family unwinds and relaxes. This season we are swapping out a few of our central shelving units, side tables, and even our dual leather ottomans for upgraded options that can increase our in-home real estate. We’ve adopted these storage ottomans from Improvements with no looking back. The full wall shelving trend is back, so we tore a page out of that book and added wall-to-wall shelving with steel pipes. This look is everywhere from the UK to the local Target, but we’re not above it. For homes with a more rustic look, we like this piece from Coleman Furniture. As a family, we are still settling on a new coffee table because there are so many excellent options currently. Click the link to view a dozen or more ideas we like on Pinterest.
We love these quick updates homeowners can rely on to quickly prep their home for the season because we should all adore our homes year-round. Hopefully, our guests will too! Need more help, contact us for a free consultation, or come say hi at the store!