The new year is a chance for a fresh start, an opportunity for new beginnings and a fantastic excuse to slough off the old and embrace change for the better. Your living space is no exception. Time to clear the cobwebs (figuratively and possibly literally, if you’re like me) and start new. You don’t have to toss out everything for a fresh start; here are seven budget-friendly ways to give your space a whole new look with minimal effort and expense!
1. Start with a deep cleaning and decluttering spree. This will mentally prepare you for change, and your living space will thank you! Edit out the junk — nothing brings you down like clutter. Follow this basic rule: if you don’t need it, use it or love it, let it go. Now you have a clean, blank slate to fill with freshness!
2. Scent is a powerful sense, and incorporating it into your home can invigorate your space. Candles are often not allowed in rentals because they’re a fire hazard (and chemical air fresheners can trigger breathing issues for some people), so try these all-natural solutions:
- A diffuser with water and essential oils in a citrusy scent is perfect for natural air freshening.
- Make your own room or linen spray with essential oils, water and some witch hazel.
- Add new soaps to your home — we love Mrs. Meyer’s Lavender Hand Soap.
- Lemons in a bowl are both decorative and useful, and putting a few of their rinds in the garbage disposal makes your sink smell divine.
Scents can trigger emotions like nothing else, so make them comforting, happy and fresh!
3. Want big impact on a dime? Here are my go-to items for instant makeovers:
- Throw pillows
- Blankets
- Duvet covers
- Outdoor rugs (inexpensive, durable and usable inside!)
These items don’t cost much and give you a BIG bang for your buck. They’re a great way to incorporate a trend without a huge investment, such as this large outdoor rug I put in my kitchen that transformed the room with very little effort.
4. Another item that’s easy to change is your window treatment. Adding a new pair of curtain panels can do wonders for a room’s appearance. And don’t stop there; head right to the bathroom and replace that shower curtain too! It makes a world of difference — a quick makeover in minutes.
5. Plants can literally freshen your home — they filter out bad air and VOCs, plus they’re pretty to look at too. Aloe, pothos and ficus are three plants known for their air cleaning qualities and are easy to care for as well. Place a few new plants in sunny spots around your home for maximum impact and you’ll have living décor that does its job!
6. What’s on your walls? Give bare walls an instant makeover with a few well-placed pieces. Think outside the box when it comes to art — scout out thrift stores for inexpensive art or mirrors with frames that you can transform simply by repainting, framing with fabric or a memory, painting a blank canvas on, stenciling a sign (especially on scrap wood) or enlarging a favorite photo for an inexpensive yet meaningful statement on your walls.
7. Last but not least, here’s a FREE trick for instant freshness: rearrange what you already have. Try out a new seating arrangement or pull the furniture out from the wall. Move a bed and a dresser, or place an occasional table in a spot that needs an extra punch of color. Tight on space? Try these four furniture layout ideas for your small living room. Do the same for bookcases and open shelves as well; I like to take everything off, mix it up and then start from scratch. Shop your home for items, and don’t be afraid to try new arrangements. Who knew “free” could feel so fresh?
