A Great Way to Make a Dramatic Change in Your House

More than a building, a house is a haven.

10:26 18 October 2019

It’s a place where we seek solace, entertain friends, celebrate life and stash our most precious belongings. Each room contains artifacts that trace the evolution of our lives. As we grow and change, we want our houses to shift and adapt to the new us. Keeping the same style and decor season after season can be monotonous. Why not make a dramatic change? A new splash of color here or an upgrade there can take your house from dated to modern and chic. A makeover can refine the atmosphere to represent your unique personality or moods. Beyond that, renovations may also contribute to health, wellness and safety by improving peace of mind, air quality, exposure to sunlight, security, and an overall sense of harmony and beauty.

Before you dismiss renovations as time-consuming and costly, consider that not all changes have to be grand and expensive to make a dramatic impact. Here are some suggestions for elevating your interior and exterior, without emptying your wallet.

LANDSCAPING

Set a good first impression by cultivating the right flora and fauna for your home. A thriving garden and landscape can create the feel of a retreat. Take the time to plant some flowers; whether they are red roses or bright yellow marigolds, the colorful blossoms will create a warm, earthy and inviting feel for your visitors. Have a mix of annual and perennial flowers in a rainbow of hues, such as pink begonias, lavender angelonias as well as hearty, long-lasting, orange daylilies. The nandina is also a good and easy choice since it can flourish in all seasons, making sure your curb appeal lasts all year long.

Manicure the bushes or topiaries. Add climbing vines. Seed and sod the lawn so that it will grow nice and full. This green space is the first thing neighbors see and the first thing you notice when you come and go. Plants offer you shade, cleaner air, and beauty as well as a place to sit and enjoy nature as it brims with butterflies, birds and other life.

In addition to plants, beautify your outdoor space with these other decorative items:

• Rocks: If you’ve ever been tempted to collect stones at the beach or park, you know they come in an array of attractive shapes, textures and colors that make you want to touch and gaze at them. So, add some aged rocks and stones around your trees, under your windows or on the edge of your garden. Let their rustic touch balance the delicate blooms in your yard. Get them from a quarry or a home improvement store. You can find river rocks, rainforest stones and even lava rock from a volcano.
  
  
• Water: Water features, such as a waterfall, fountain or bird bath, can offer a sense of tranquility. A koi pond, stream or even a trough are other options. Also, take note of where there is too much water in your yard. For example, if you have improper drainage or faucets that leak and create puddles, these situations can not only be unsightly, but can attract disease-carrying mosquitoes that can spoil your outdoor time.
  
  
• Pots: Not all plants have to sprout from the ground. Arrange and rearrange potted plants to allow variety or a special look for a certain occasion. Blend big and small containers in terra cotta, metal, stone or concrete for your pot display. You can even be creative and turn old discarded items into pots. For example, an empty basket, bucket or barrel can make nice flower homes. Potted plants are a great solution in places where there is no dirt, such as a porch, deck or the edge of the driveway. You can also suspend them from posts or hooks on outside walls.
  
  
• Mulch: Whether synthetic or natural, mulch can create visual interest in your yard and garden. Maple wood chips, cedar chips, cocoa chips, pine bark, straw and rubber are just some of the mulch styles available. While mulch looks great, it’s also adding nutrients to your soil and will stop your soil from eroding. Improving your yard with mulch is a cheap, one-person job that can be done in a few hours.
  
  

LIGHTING

Don’t let all the decorative touches of your home be shrouded in darkness. Light up the exterior and interior with new light fixtures. Replacing basic lighting in the kitchen, bedroom, dining room or foyer with a chandelier, pendant light, or lantern can send the message that you have style and class.

Not only are lamps useful, but they create ambiance. So, shop for lights that can add the right touch of glass, brass, gold or bronze to a porch, curb, wall or ceiling. Many people don’t notice when light fixtures are rusted or broken, but visitors will. So, walk around the perimeter of your home as well as every room inside, assessing what outdated or faulty lights need to be revamped.

Here are some fixtures to consider:

• Solar: Outside solar lights can brighten the yard and porch at night without driving up your energy bill since they rely on a renewable form of energy. They are easy to install and don’t require electrical wiring. Choose from hanging solar lanterns, a solar lamp on a post, or several rows of solar lights planted in the ground to outline a pathway or garden ridge.
  
  
• Chandeliers: Are you fancy? A chandelier can take a mundane space and elevate it to something elegant and luxurious. These can spruce up a grand hall, a foyer, a dining room, or kitchen. Chandeliers don’t take up space because they hang from the ceiling. They add an extreme amount of light because they use as many as six or more bulbs; yet their glow is warm, not harsh. They also can become a focal point in a simple room because they are so extravagant, made with multiple, uniquely-shaped arms and accents like blown glass or crystal.
  
  
• Lanterns: In folklore, lanterns serve as a literal and metaphorical guiding light for walks, spirituality and an elevated mind. In modern life, they add charm to an abode. Many people enjoy antique lanterns, Chinese lanterns, candle lanterns, or floating lanterns that you can put in a garden pond. These come in handy when you are entertaining outside at night.
  
  

NEW DOORS

Before you can say “Hello,” the front entry door will already be providing a welcoming or unwelcoming feel to your guests. Think beyond utility and security. Create a memorable entrance by having a door in an accent color that stands out from your neighbors’ doors and makes a style statement. A turquoise, seafoam green or pale yellow door can be just the right pop of pigment needed to brighten up the front of your house. Paint is one of the easiest ways to makeover a basic door. Other easy fixes include adding new and large address numbers, replacing the hardware, hanging a wreath of seasonal flowers or adhering a sign with a slogan or your surname on it. Pretty doormats and vases are also popular for the entranceway.

Sometimes, these superficial changes are not enough. You may need to opt for a new door: one with carved design or patterned glass. You can even sit down with a door maker and create a custom look just for you. Don’t forget side doors, garage doors, patio doors and interior doors. Switch out sliding doors for French doors or vice versa. Add louvered doors to a bathroom or barn doors to a dining room. Replace a single door with a double door. These changes can make your home memorable and unique.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Provider of sunlight, natural views, and ventilation, a window is one of the most important features of a home. As such, windows should be adorned with quality and fashionable materials that allow easy access to fresh air and sights. Don’t just consider typical treatments like curtains and blinds. These can collect dust and fade over time. Think about something more permanent and eclectic like shutters, which can easily be wiped off so they don’t harbor dust mites that trigger allergies and reduce air quality.

Attached by hinges, shutters can be placed on the outside or inside of the home. They work in any room, including bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms. They come in different, durable materials ranging from wood to steel to aluminum. You can open the shutters completely to enjoy wide, clear views of flowers, mountains or street activity. Alternately, you can keep the shutters closed and open just the louvers, letting in a little light or wind. You may also choose to slide open windows, but close shutters, letting in fresh air but blocking bugs and birds. It’s up to you; shutters are versatile.

In use since the 18th century, shutters add classic style and panache to your home. If you invest in ones that are well-made, the mere presence of them can decorate your surroundings. With a variety of options, Shuttercraft shutters can appease your desire for café-style, bay window style or tier-on-tier style treatments. They come in custom colors to coordinate with the siding, doors or furnishings. Consider vertical, horizontal or rolling. Depending on which ones you get, shutters can brace your windows against storm damage, provide extra security against break-ins, and give you privacy. They can also save you money because they reduce the amount of air escaping your home through the window, preventing your air conditioner and heater from working so hard.

WALL COLOR

Sometimes changing the look of one wall in a room can make a big impact on the overall aesthetics. Turn to paint or wallpaper to makeover an accent wall or all four walls. Sometimes, a make-under can serve you best. So, if you think a room is too busy with old-fashioned wallpaper, paneling or cartoons you painted for your children who have all grown up, go back to a conservative, simple color.

NEW CABINETS

Cabinets in the kitchen can date a home fast. Yet, since they are a tad expensive, many people just live with whatever they have. You don’t have to. Go to a hardware store and buy new, decorative handles to create a modern look. Consider replacing the doors, painting the cabinets, or covering them with decorative paneling.

NEW FLOORS

Turn dingy floors from cringe-worthy to wow-worthy. It’s never been easier to upgrade your flooring. Professionals can rebuff wood floors to get rid of scars and discoloration. They can rip up your old linoleum or worn carpet and replace them with new tiles in a day. Also, discount flooring centers cater to the do-it-yourself crowd so you can save cash by finding deals on porcelain, ceramic, hardwood or vinyl planks that look like hardwood. Then, take a weekend, and replace the floor yourself or with friends.

OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

Have you always wanted a fire pit, fence, or a new patio but never got around to it? Are you ashamed to invite folks over to your barbecue? Commit to establishing an outdoor lounging space that makes you proud. It’s great to have the front yard looking nice, but don’t neglect your backyard. Put new pavers down to define a cookout area. Pour concrete to create a patio or space for a gazebo. Install gas lines for a new gas grill. Build a deck that can host your extended family for reunions. If these things are out of your budget, just spend a little money to buy outdoor furniture, such as a patio table and chair set, a swing, a couple of benches, or a picnic table set.

 

Take the time to browse magazines and stores to see what home décor trends you’d like to add to your place. Take pictures and collect your ideas for a few months before making your renovation decisions. Spend time in thrift shops, resale shops and garage sales to see if you can salvage antique pieces that might add new life to your home. You never know when you’ll happen upon the right accessory for a room. Lastly, start a savings fund in a special jar or a separate bank account so that you can be inspired to reach your renovation budget goals and make your makeover dreams come true.