Simple Steps Can Brighten Any Room

Simple Steps Can Brighten Any Room

You completed a long-planned total room makeover in your home: New furniture, window treatments, fresh paint or wall coverings. Your planning and hard work paid off. Congratulations! But like many proud homeowners, as much as you relish the all-new decor in the room you made over, you may encounter a bit of, well, sibling rivalry. Yup, your all-new room is now a paragon of beauty. But other rooms may now seem a bit dull in comparison. Take heart, there are solutions here – and ones that won’t break the bank.

For most of us, replacing all of our furniture room by room in one family fiscal year isn’t feasible. That doesn’t mean you can’t make simple, easy and often inexpensive changes to other rooms in your home so each will compare well to your all-new room. This little secret is one interior designers have long known: A home is a work in process. That bedroom your daughter loved when she was five years old won’t carry her through her teen years. And furniture styles and your own tastes will change. That’s why many homeowners tackle big updates on a room-by-room basis, while simply freshening other rooms.

15 Quick and Easy Ways to Spruce Up a Room

1. Give your windows something new to wear. Ready-to-hang window treatments are easy to install and yield dramatic results, transforming a ho-hum dining room or living room. Or start smaller. Maybe all it takes for a fresh look is a new curtain rod.
2. Experiment with greenery. Place flowers with a flourish for an instant breath of fresh air in any room. Or, if you prefer, potted ferns, wreaths, and potpourri can also make a statement. The focal point of the display doesn’t have to be only the greenery—give thought to the vase, as well.
3. Refresh with a rug. A simple area rug can dramatically change the feel of a room. Dress up with an Oriental rug, or lighten up a dark room with a white or cream-colored rug.
4. Warm up with a fireplace. Don’t live in a cold weather climate? No problem. A faux fireplace will work just as well, adding ambiance or romance to unexpected places. You can buy a complete “fireplace unit” from specialized retailers and build your own mantle with an eye-catching array of candlesticks.
5. Brighten up with new lighting. If you’ve had your eye on an antique lamp or fun lampshade, why resist the urge any longer? A new lamp will make you feel you’re in a brand-new room. Consider strip lighting above cabinets or redirecting existing lighting to highlight room features.
6. One word: Paint. Don’t feel bound to one shade—get creative with borders, vines, or even faux rugs on walls and floors.
7. Install decorative display shelves. Solve storage and decorating issues while showcasing collections like shells, matchbooks, or family photos. Give each item space to shine and refresh your room’s vibe.
8. Fabricate a new look. Refresh tablecloths, runners, pillows, or upholstery with fabrics you love. Mixing colors and textures can unite a room and elevate its style.
9. Organize around a theme. Turn a bathroom into a tropical escape or a child’s room into a castle. Themes work best in playful spaces like kids’ rooms and bathrooms.
10. Deck the walls. Frame photos, hang artwork, or add decorative screens. The style of the frame or screen (wood, paper, bamboo) can add as much character as the art itself.
11. Add an accent piece. A Japanese-inspired folding screen adds versatility and a touch of Zen to any environment.
12. Update hardware. Stylish new door knobs, drawer pulls, or cabinet handles can instantly refresh a room’s feel.
13. Top it off with trim. Add wainscoting or crown molding to elevate a room’s elegance—you’ll wonder how you lived without it.
14. Open up with a mirror. Hang a large mirror to create the illusion of space in a small room.
15. Focus on small details. Change light switch plates or move furniture between rooms. These subtle tweaks can have dramatic results.

Once you start freshening rooms, you may not stop. Making subtle updates is fun, creative, and a satisfying form of self-expression. Your guests and family will enjoy the changes, too. Involving children in room updates—like transforming a “big-girl room”—can be a memorable and entertaining experience for everyone.

Not every room needs a total makeover. These simple, fun, and often inexpensive updates can make a big difference in your home. Enjoy!