There is a phenomenon in interior design and that is that people generally want to keep things forever! Design trends come and go and there are definitely some things that just don’t work anymore. We no longer use matching furniture sets or accent walls and I’ve listed a few more things to consider ridding yourself of that will almost immediately update your home if you take advantage.
TAKE DOWN ANY WINDOW TREATMENTS THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO GET NATURAL LIGHT
Natural light will brighten the room, make it look larger and show off any finishes that catch the light. Window treatments should frame a space but they don’t have to be heavy. There are many options available like new translucent metallic fabrics or sheers which will create some coverage without the weight. If you want to block the sun or need privacy, you can layer the treatments or add blackout lining for better sleep.
CONSIDER SWAPPING OUT PILLOWS THAT MATCH YOUR SOFA
Play with texture, color and patterns to accent the main fabric on your sofa. These fabrics add interest and help to pull the room together. A rug can do the same thing and also serves to ground the furniture in the room
FOR A COZIER SPACE, TOSS HARSH WHITE LIGHTBULBS
and opt for a warm white bulb. This will add warmth to your room just like light from a candle or a cozy fire.
CONSIDER GETTING RID OF CHAIR RAIL WHEREVER IT MAY BE
Chair rail really doesn’t do much except awkwardly split your room in half. It is not substantive and it doesn’t make much of a statement like an actual wainscot would. You can opt for plain, textured walls as well.
YOU MIGHT SWITCH OUT SOME WOODEN FURNITURE PIECES (CASEGOODS) IF THEY ARE ALL A VERSION OF STAINED WOOD
Don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit using different wood species and stain colors but take it a step further and bring in some painted pieces and some non-wood pieces. I.e. metals, glass, etc.
RUGS THAT ARE TOO SMALL CAN MAKE YOUR ROOM LOOK AWKWARD
If a rug is too small for the room, it doesn’t matter how nice it is or how expensive. “Having a rug off-scale in a room makes a room look cheap and off kilter a rug under a dining table looks great, unless it’s so small that the dining chairs don’t fit on the rug or only fit when the chairs are pushed in.
PLANTS, WHETHER REAL OR FAUX, THAT HAVEN’T BEEN PROPERLY CARED FOR DON’T HAVE A PLACE IN MOST SPACES.
Adding a pop of floral or greenery in your home design can definitely make a statement and is a way to bring the outdoors in but faux plants are dust magnets so they must be maintained. Personally, I never recommend fake plants because you have to spend a good bit for them to look good and they can cheapen the overall look of your home. Real plants can be less expensive but still need to be cared for. Dead or dying plants are never attractive and will not enhance the look of your space.
One Comment
Love these recommendations. We just switched to warmer bulbs and added more natural light in our home — it makes the entire space feel warmer and more full!