QUICK FIXES TO REINVIGORATE & REFRESH YOUR HOME THIS NEW YEAR

Lara Sargent, Houzz Contributor

Article first published on Houzz

Lead image: Buckinghamshire Residence by LLI Design – Alex Maguire

With Christmas done and dusted for another year, January is the perfect month to cast a fresh eye over every room in your home. Maybe parts of your abode are looking a little jaded, or perhaps some features would simply welcome an injection of bold colour or pattern? Follow these easy updates and I guarantee your home will be filled with a renewed sense of verve and vigour you never knew it had!

Photo by Juliette Byrne

– Look for eclectic home design pictures

Reboot your bedroom
Why not give your bedroom a very simple refresh with a brand new set of bed linen? After all, there’s nothing nicer than climbing into a bed made up with freshly laundered sheets. Stick to crisp whites and soft neutrals – and treat yourself to flowers by the bed for an uplifting hint of spring.

Get some ideas by browsing these bedroom photos

Photo by Alex Maguire Photography

– Search contemporary living room design ideas

Revamp your cushions
If your sofa is a tiny bit tired, pep it up with new cushions – they’re such a simple way to lift a room without much outlay. Or consider tracking down fabric offcuts and simply re-cover your existing cushions for a cost-effective update. If you can stretch to it, a new rug will add fresh energy to your living room, especially one with a bright design like this.

Photo by Sweet William

– Search shabby-chic style home design pictures

Hang up your art
I’m guilty of this one. Whether it’s old photos that need framing or beautiful ceramic plaques that would look far better on the wall than shoved in a cupboard, many of us have images, prints and artwork that desperately need hanging up.

If you’re struggling to find the right place for each piece, you can’t go wrong if you simply group them en masse to create an ever-evolving art gallery that will freshen a space and draw the eye.

Read tips on how to choose and display art

Photo by Gabriel Holland Interior Design

– More country dining room photos

Do a paint job
It’s such an easy fix, but so very effective. Channel your inner colour guru and paint one wall in that dramatic shade you’ve been hankering after. This deep grey-blue adds a new dimension to this room, or try a panel of a zingy bright or fresh pastel.

As you’re only covering one area, you can get away with a very small pot of paint, so it’s not only a quick and simple fix, it’s cost-effective, too.

Photo by Chris A Dorsey Photography

– Browse contemporary home design ideas

Display your treasures
It’s one of my big interiors bugbears, and, hands up, I’m guilty of this one, too. If you have a stash of pretty china, vintage paperweights, old ornaments – or any collection of treasures you adore – hidden away behind cupboard doors, then dust them off and put them on display. They will add interest to the room and give you a lift every time you walk in.

These glass bell jars are a stylish way to show off your most prized possessions and the arrangement can be swapped and changed as you please.

Photo by Julie Holloway

– Discover eclectic entrance design ideas

Make a good first impression
The hall is the first and last room you see, so make sure yours is fresh, functional and free from clutter. Be inspired by this pared-back entrance and make sure you have plenty of hooks so everything can be lifted off the floor. This bench is attractive, but if you have a busy household, consider a design that includes storage. Finally, hang a big mirror – it will visually widen a narrow space and boost light levels in one.

Photo by Paul Craig Photography

– Discover shabby-chic style bathroom design ideas

Beautify your bathroom
If you’ve gradually let the shampoo bottles and tubs of body cream take over your bathroom surfaces, stashing away all of your lotions and potions will instantly freshen up the space.

For a quick fix, track down a vintage-style cupboard like this one and use it to stack towels and keep products organised but on display. Try second-hand shops to find a piece that can be painted and repurposed to add a splash of character to your daily ablutions.

Photo by Brian O’Tuama Architects

– More eclectic kitchen photos

Stretch to a new splashback
OK, it’s a slightly bigger project than adding a few cushions, but fitting a new splashback will pep up your kitchen no end. A strip of bold colour will lift a neutral scheme, or try a slab of a luxurious material, such as marble, for a kitchen that will feel like new.

See more splashbacks that will transform your kitchen

Clean up your act
Finally, once all the Christmas gifts have found a new home and the last decoration has been stashed away for another year, why not give the house a deep clean? It’s a sure-fire way to add fresh sparkle to your home. After all the festive cooking and entertaining that’s gone on, it’s a great idea to get scrubbing so you can start 2017 with a fresh slate.