Small Changes, Big Impact: New Ways to Refresh a Room
Whether you’re ready for a major makeover or just want to tweak a few details, the right decor ideas can breathe new life into your space. From bold updates to subtle touches, here are stylish ways to reimagine your home—no matter your aesthetic.
Create a Focal Corner
The natural instinct is to place a sofa parallel to a wall, whether directly again it or not. Instead, how about positioning it in the corner, like this elegantly tapered one? The area around the sofa has been decorated to keep the eye directed into the corner, from the mirrored panels to the art grouping and the placement of the accent cabinet.
Pick a Not-So-Basic Table Base
Paying more attention to the base of the table, however, can really pay off in terms of design impact. This is particularly true in an open or very spacious floor plan where people have a good view of the entire table. This particular dining table has a beautiful rectangular marble top with rounded sides, but the real star of the show is the base.
Add Drama With Art
Pick a sculpture or pick a painting, but select something that makes change in the overall space. This is one case when size really does matter because the wow factor is what you’re after. This very large artwork is visually in step with the overall color palette of the room, but its subject matter really draws the eye despite the muted tones used.
Add A Funky Shape to the Room
This console shows how a piece can be a little funky but still be elegant and sophisticated. The traditional top is paired with a unique base that could be considered an abstract design or two birds kissing; whatever you prefer to see. In any case, it’s out of the ordinary and makes a great accent piece for this seating area.
Display in a Linear Way
The photos above this bed all have the same shape and are matted and framed in an identical way. Instead of hanging them across the wall at a level that is a couple of feet above the horizontal cabinet, they are hung mere inches above it. This creates a very linear look and visually connects the frames with the shelving unit.
Create a Dedicated Work Space
Whether you’re working from home all the time now or if you just need a spot for off-hours use, a space dedicated to work can help you be more productive while keeping your environment tidy. This desk is attached to the wall and is more convenient than a plain shelf because it’s wider and angles out at the right end, making the space very user friendly, especially with the addition of a laptop or computer.
Ditch Dated Light Fixtures
It’s easy to overlook a fixture that’s been hanging in your home for years, even if it has become dated. Replacing an older, existing fixture with a new design that has a contemporary shape or is made from unexpected materials quickly revives the look and creates interest.
Nix Attached Mirrors
We’ve all seen one — or even owned one: A dresser with a mirror attached to the middle of it. Most often found in mass-market bedroom sets, these are older designs that need to go away. If you still have one of these, keep the dresser and dump the mirror. Instead, hang a collection of smaller, individual mirrors. This still gives you a functional mirror but adds more dimension.
Incorporate Greenery
This shelving unit is a great example because without the large vase full of branches and the smaller side table arrangement, the room would look nice, but a little blah. By adding the arrangement of copious tall branches on the low cabinet, it fills the space, focuses the eye and adds life to the space.
Make Your Shelving Artful
Instead of a utilitarian bookshelf, opt for a design that combines closed storage with open sections to make it more versatile as well as more interesting to look at. The mix of materials and door sizes in this example elevates the wall unit to another level when it comes to style.