TACKLE THAT TO-DO LIST OF JOBS OR TRY OUR EASY ROOM-REFRESH IDEAS, GIVING YOUR HOME THE LOVE AND ATTENTION IT DESERVES
Sometimes all it takes is a small change, like a coat of paint, a restyle of something you stare at every day or a rejig of furniture to make us fall in love with our homes all over again. And while you might not be the most DIY-minded or confident, there are plenty of quick and easy things you can do yourself.
Start with a moodboard, collecting swatches and things that inspire you – either digitally or using pieces from around your home. Revisit your home board frequently as you start to formulate your ideas, adding in a little less (or more) colour or pattern, playing with different textures and moving hero pieces around. Using this time to make plans and try new things – whether big or small – will help revitalise your home, and in turn, you.
CHANGE YOUR ACCENT
Give a tired room a new look by swapping your accent colour. Choose something uplifting, such as orange, ochre or green. Try a coat of paint and a few accessories – either new, or simply moved from another space.
HANG A WALL MURAL
Create a soothing scene with a wallpaper inspired by nature. Use it to provide a tranquil backdrop to a favourite chair. New to wallpapering? Try a paste-the-wall design – you’ll need less kit, it’s easier to work with and it can be less messy.
ARRANGE A GALLERY WALL
Turn a blank wall into a gallery display. Lay out prints and photos on the floor until you're happy with your arrangement. Then transfer on to the wall with masking tape, before using screws or adhesive strips to hold the frames in place.
CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK
Update your windows by layering ready-made curtains over lightweight sheers. The voiles give a softer light and privacy for those at-home yoga sessions and moments of calm. Hang from net-curtain wire or swap your pole for a tension wire.
REFINE THE HOME OFFICE
With many of our home offices set up in a hurry to be up-and-running as soon as possible, now’s the time to reassess yours. Small changes could include zoning with a rug, moving your desk to make the most of natural light and decluttering daily.
STYLE A #SHELFIE
Rearrange shelves for an instant style fix. Swap pieces from another room, introduce contrast – like a tall white vase against a wooden background – and add plants. Create a scene with feel-good memories, such as a postcard or a photo.
MAKE DINNER AN EVENT
Repurpose your dining table for… eating, turning mealtimes into family or self-indulgent moments in the day. Be inspired by those boutique hotels or restaurants you love, with smart dining chairs, beautiful tableware, music and candles at dinner.
SET UP A HOME BAR
Make Friday night cocktail night and turn an unloved corner of your living room into a home bar. Start with a cabinet – or even just a shelf – then set the scene with a striking mirror or lamp, elegant glassware and favourite cocktail ingredients.
HANG A MIRROR
Bring more light into a dull corner with a mirror. Try something different, like a lozenge-shape with soft curves, and hang where it can reflect a natural light source. Make sure you have suitable fixings for drilling into a masonary wall or plasterboard.
GIVE WALLS A PAINT-OVER
With blush firmly established as the new neutral, why not refresh your bedroom with a soft putty-cream shade? Choose a paint finish – like Little Greene’s Intelligent Matt Emulsion – which is designed for walls, woodwork and even metal, making the job easy.
