Cheap and easy ways to refresh your space

By SHIRLEY BROUN

WHEN the rising costs of daily living prevent you from major renovation work on your home there is a simple solution for refreshing your space and giving it a new look.

Furniture pieces can often be interchanged to provide a new look to a room.

Ironically many home-owners believe the only answer to giving the home a facelift is by painting, buying new furniture or renovating but if you are on a budget, these options may be out of your reach.

However, there is an alternative. Have you ever considered the much simpler and more economical idea of updating your home by adding colour, refreshing or redecorating items already a part of the interior design or replacing accessories with other items that currently stand dormant and unloved in a cupboard or stored out of view.

Refresh to impress

Refreshing a room could be as easy as placing slipcovers over a worn or dated sofa or lounge, adding colour with matching cushions and finishing it off with a soft under-foot rug.

The inclusion of plants and greenery can add life and a refreshing atmosphere to a room. It is your choice as far as using fake or the real thing but both can update and freshen the look significantly.

Lampshades matched with your décor can also lift the ambience of an area. If the budget doesn’t allow for a new purchase, then why not consider just swapping the tired-looking shade for a vibrant new one that adds a splash of colour and sets a theme.

Introducing a large rug into the theme of the room is also a great way to change the feel of the area. They add a nice focal point and have a warming affect. Rugs come in traditional and contemporary designs and can be used in lounge rooms, bedrooms and even hallways.

The placement of the rug, particularly in the lounge room, is a matter of individual taste. Some like to have furniture such as sofas sitting their front legs on the rug while others prefer to have the entire lounge on the rug. Perhaps try it both ways and then make a decision on which looks the best.

Mirrors add a new dimension

Mirrors add a new dimension to a home, especially in small or darker areas. This popular feature tends to reflect light in the room so can easily boost the lighting factor. Mirrors also make a wonderful feature in hallways, entrances and other areas as they can give the illusion of added space.

Artwork too can make a great focal point for any room, particularly if it is colourful and large with the intent to make a statement. The use of artwork – in its many and varied mediums – can transform a room, adding colour, technique and a focal point of interest for visitors.

Freshening up or changing window dressings most certainly has a major effect on any room but often the budget may not allow for an immediate upgrade. However, this is something worth saving up for as it can dramatically change the atmosphere and appeal of an area, transforming it from dark and drab to bright and alive. Consider whether you seek more privacy or just wish to add style to the room when selecting a design. Insulated drapes can also assist in energy bill savings.

Feature walls dress a room

Have you ever thought about using some of you prized crockery as a feature to dress up a room? Like the popular 70s idea of three ducks flying in formation across the wall, you can have the same type of affect – although much trendier – by creating a wall display of your exquisite dishes or plates. It could be a great talking point for guests too.

Swapping furniture around is another key to a `new look’ area. You may have an oblong-shaped coffee table in the middle of the room right now and a set of stack tables in the corner. Why not swap places and put the previous coffee table along the wall and use it, instead, to display some books or your prized DVD collection and place the stack tables in front of the lounge for use by guests?

Versatile furniture pieces

One of my most versatile furniture pieces is a dresser with five deep drawers. I bought it to use in my bedroom but have since found it works in any room of the house. In the bedroom it is ideal to house my smaller items of clothing. Meanwhile, in the lounge it provides great storage for my dvd and cd collections and in the dining room is perfect to store tablecloths, tea towels and other items of linen while displaying my favourite family photographs on top. It just takes a little thought and imagination – and costs nothing for a great new look.

It is a common belief that because a piece of furniture was bought for a particular purpose, it should only fulfil that one use for eternity. If you take a look around your home and use a little imagination, the multitude of alternative uses will become evident and encourage you to try them out, particularly if you seek to update and renew your home’s appeal and atmosphere.

Also, remember if you are adding items to a room be careful to avoid clutter as this can detract from all your hard work in achieving a `new look’.