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  4. Affordable Ways to Refresh Any Room in Your Home

Affordable Ways to Refresh Any Room in Your Home

By Megan Boettcher February 20, 2020
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white living room with leather chairs and blue accents
Credit: Molly Winters Culver

Want to update your space on a budget? It's entirely possible—no major renovation required.

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white living room with leather chairs and blue accents
Credit: Molly Winters Culver

We all want to live in a beautiful space that reflects our personality, and even if we love exactly how our home looks right now, we can all agree that it's fun to change things up every now and then. Good news: There's no need to remodel to achieve that updated look you're striving for. "You can make small investments in décor for a big impact," says Rebecca Zoet of This New Old House. "Think refresh! Use items from around your home, or in storage, to give a room a new look. Shop flea markets and garage sales for inexpensive finds. Updating with paint and DIY projects pack a big punch for a small price."

Changing trends and seasons also inspire us to renew the look of our homes. "I like to start with neutral pieces that I can easily update with a few new pieces here and there," Zoet says. "A great way to build a seasonal décor collection is to shop deep discounts after the holiday and save them for next year." Stock up on neutral table runners, metal lanterns, and white ceramic pieces, all of which are easily paired with wintery holiday motifs or fresh springy colors.

Another great way to change up the vibe of your home is to move things from one room to another. "I love to shop my own home first," Zoet explains. "A basket in the dining room may work well on the coffee table in the living room. Moving things around brings attention to items that have been overlooked elsewhere. And it saves you a bundle from having to buy all new décor."

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Paint the Walls

living room full view
Credit: Haris Kenjar

For the price of a gallon (or two) of paint, you can transform the feel of any room. "I love Sherwin Williams' 'Collonade Gray' because it is a warm gray with no undertones," Zoet says. "It looks great in virtually any space!" For a modern farmhouse vibe, Zoet suggests Sherwin Williams 'Agreeable Gray,' since it allows you to go light without going white.

  • See How Paint Dramatically Transforms This Living Room

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Paint Cabinets

full view of powder blue kitchen
Credit: Rebecca McAlpin

With a little elbow grease, you can DIY your way to an updated kitchen or bath. Painting cabinetry takes some time and effort, but the payoff is huge, Zoet notes.

  • How to Pick Kitchen Paint Colors

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Add Pillows and Throw Blankets

Bedroom with textured wallpaper and blue and white bed
Credit: John Merkl

Pump up the color palette in your living room or bedroom with new decorative throw pillows and blankets. "You instantly update your room and add a cozy layer and texture when you add pillows and throw blankets to furniture," Zoet says. "Keep a unified color palette to pull a great room together. Mix and match patterns, solids, and fabrics to add character."

  • Living Room Decorating Ideas Every Homeowner Should Know

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Replace the Rug

layering rugs and blue couch
Credit: Rennai Hoefer for The Glitter Guide

"Adding or changing out your rug in the living room can be an easy way to update the space—and there are so many affordable options," Zoet says. "I like to shop for rugs on Wayfair. It's an easy way to update the room without spending much."

  • The Right Way to Style Your Area Rug

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Bring in a Lamp

Colorful art hangs over a nightstand
Credit: Sharon Radisch

You can change the entire atmosphere of a room with new lighting, so go ahead and update your supplemental sources, like floor or table lamps. In a kitchen, you can easily swap out pendant lights or install an LED strip under the cabinets.

  • Why You Should Layer Your Home's Lighting—and How to Do It

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Use Decorative Trays

light hued color scheme large coffee table between couches
Credit: Lauren Pressey Photography

Another easy and inexpensive addition to any living room space? Catch-all trays. "Decorate the tray with a pop of greenery, an object of interest, or even a small basket for remotes," Zoet says. "It adds one more layer of style—and it's functional!"

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Set the Table

dining room table art and statement lighting
Credit: Haris Kenjar

"The dining room tablescape is one of my favorite areas to update with the change of seasons and holidays—and it does not need to be expensive," Zoet explains. Start with a base layer, like a neutral runner, that remains constant throughout the year; change out your accent items with the seasons.

Lanterns are another great item to keep on the table, since you can easily adorn them with timely motifs. Add neutral placemats and chargers to each place setting for balance. "Chargers are my favorite inexpensive way to make your table look fancy, even on an ordinary day," Zoet notes.

  • How to Update Your Dining Room Decor for Less than $500

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Update Bathroom Shelves

white bathroom with black accents
Credit: Athena Calderone

Combine the pretty and the practical in the bathroom. "Even in a small powder room, you can add personality with some greenery or a decorative piece," Zoet says. "Then add pretty baskets or glass jars to corral cosmetic items."

  • Bathroom Organization Tips That Will Give You More Space

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Refresh the Bedroom

red, green and neutral toned master bedroom
Credit: William Abranowicz

Updating your bedroom is as simple as creating a focal point above the bed. "It doesn't have to be an expensive work of art," Zoet says. Add interest with a variety of decorative pillows. A new lamp on the nightstand is another quick switch that will easily brighten the space.

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Revive the Stairway

southern california house stairway and blue bench
Credit: Lauren Pressey

Decorating your stairwell "adds big impact to an area that is often ignored," adds Zoet. "Decorate the stairway with large vintage pieces for a refreshed look that won't cost a fortune." Shop antique shops or flea markets for unique objects, vintage windows, or baskets—all will add visual intrigue to the space.

  • Here's How to Upgrade Your Staircase with a Stair Runner

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    1 of 11
    2 of 11 Paint the Walls
    3 of 11 Paint Cabinets
    4 of 11 Add Pillows and Throw Blankets
    5 of 11 Replace the Rug
    6 of 11 Bring in a Lamp
    7 of 11 Use Decorative Trays
    8 of 11 Set the Table
    9 of 11 Update Bathroom Shelves
    10 of 11 Refresh the Bedroom
    11 of 11 Revive the Stairway

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