How to Refresh a Home That's Out of Date

Is your home feeling a bit lacklustre? Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve updated your décor or perhaps you’ve bought a fixer upper that needs a quick face lift to tide you over until the big reno. Either way, refreshing your home is good for the soul and will give you a more contemporary, functional space to live in. What better way to kick off the New Year than with a lighter, fresher, updated home!

Let’s look at ten creative ways to update your home without moving walls or breaking the budget.

Clean and Declutter

Every home regularly needs a good clean and declutter. Look around with fresh eyes and think objectively about what you need, and what is gathering dust. You may be able to get rid of some items whilst others can be put in storage for another time. Also, think about removing any furniture that causes bottlenecks or blockages and aim to create open space in your home. Once the declutter is complete, consider a deep clean, including cupboards and windows.

2 Fresh Coat of Paint

When updating a tired home this is a must. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to breathe new life into an old home. You will never go wrong keeping it neutral, and fresh whites will instantly transform a tired space. There are now hundreds of styles of removable wallpaper, murals and wall decals to choose from so consider adding a feature wall to create a point of interest.

Replace Window Treatments

Get rid of any old, heavy curtains or dusty blinds and replace with contemporary window treatments such as plantation shutters or inexpensive curtains that can be bought pre-made. Replace old window frames if possible or at the very least give them a fresh coat of paint. Think crisp white for frames and neutral, natural fibres for curtains.

Let There be Light

Bunnings and IKEA have some fantastic choices for light fittings so replace all old ones. You can also place some table or floor lamps around for mood lighting. Using decorative mirrors is another great way to bring in light and create the illusion of more space.

Update Your Floors

If budget allows replacing old carpet and updating flooring will give your home an instant lift. There are some great styles to choose from in both laminate and vinyl that are both contemporary and cost effective. Or be good to the planet and choose from the latest bamboo styles.

Pick a Style & Be Consistent

Before embarking on any changes, you should decide what style you like and stick with it. Tear pages from your favourite magazine or create a mood board on Pinterest and you will see your style begin to emerge. Whether your preference is Hamptons, Scandi, Traditional or Contemporary, being consistent with your choices will bring your project together.

Update Your Soft Furnishings, Including Bed Linen

One of the quickest and easiest way to refresh your space is to update your soft furnishings. Draw inspiration from a treasured piece of art or choose some new pieces from the huge range of affordable art on the market, and select your colour palette from there. Co-ordinate cushions and throws in similar hues for a cohesive look. Buying new bed linen can sometimes be as good as a holiday! Go for classic white with accent cushions and throws or get some updated seasonal looks.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms can be a tell tale sign of an out of date home. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune updating these rooms. Resurfacing, re-painting and updating drawer pulls and handles can create a whole new look. Check out Bunnings for some budget friendly and contemporary options.

Update Your Accessories

Once you have decluttered and removed any dust gathering objects you may want a few pieces to go with your new look. There are now so many affordable options on the market, the choice has never been greater. Check out Kmart for on trend options in styles such as Urban, Classic, Natural and Modern Classic.

Bring the Outside In

Indoor plants are currently all the rage which is great news. As well as looking fresh and fabulous, indoor plants are good for our health as they improve air quality. Go for plants that thrive inside, such as rubber plants and figs and place them in a variety of pots and baskets. Download the new app ‘Plant Life Balance’ to get help with what type of plants will suit your space and where to place them.

Finally, if your budget can’t stretch to include everything above, or looking at the list fills you with overwhelm, just stick with steps 1 and 2. If in doubt just paint and clean. Refreshing your out of date home can be as simple as that.

Amanda xx