When moving into newer homes, a lot of homeowners are afraid to change certain aspects of the home toward something in their own style. This is sometimes because the existing finishes are new or still in decent shape. It doesn’t really make sense financially to replace a light fixture or paint brand new cabinets. It does make sense to want to live in a house that you are in love with and feels like home.
There are some easy and inexpensive changes you can incorporate into your home that will make it feel like your own:
1. Change the lighting. Replacing a standard flush mount light in a small space such as a hallway or closet can make a standard room that much more dramatic. Large-sized pendants over an island add a wow factor to any kitchen. Who wouldn’t want to look at a chandelier in their closet or from the bath tub? Switching out lights can be inexpensive if you change them in stages. Look for pieces that you love, not necessarily from a collection that matches the rest of the house.
2. Cabinet hardware. The little details in cabinet hardware are the ‘jewelry’ to your home that can add a lot of interest. You can shop for vintage finds online and historic replicas from stores such as Anthropologie or the Art of Hardware in Calgary. If you are timid, try replacing the bathroom hardware first. There are a lot less doors, making it a less expensive trial space. You can also step outside the box by mixing and matching hardware styles.
3. Trim work. Whether you like the look of board and batten, bead board, cottage style paneling or any other type of additional trim work, this is a great way to incorporate visual texture and layers into your home. Board and batten paneling is a popular trend in cottage-style interiors. It is commonly installed fairly high on the wall, between two-thirds and one-half the entire wall height.
Increasing the height of baseboards can be a great way to make your home look more upgraded and expensive. A simple trim can be added a few inches above your existing baseboards. When you paint the drywall to match the trim color, your baseboards look more impressive. If you are at all handy, this is a simple project to start for a DIY.
4. Add an accent wall. An accent wall not only adds a personal touch, it can make a room look larger. Gone are the days of the really dark colored painted walls, and the new trend is pattern, pattern and more pattern. Bold chevron, stripes, floral patterns or geometric wallpapers are all starting to make their appearances. This is a great way to have some fun with your space. Wallpaper, accent paint or wall stencils are great ways to achieve this look.
5. Unique furniture or accessories. In every well-designed room, there is an element of surprise. Whether it is a salvaged architectural corbel or an antique chest of drawers, this item is what grounds the space. I like using pieces from nature, such as branches, a piece of coral, a nice and fresh floral arrangement or a distinctive piece of stone.
Whether you decide to add a few minor lighting changes or incorporate a larger Do-It-Yourself project, creating a home that makes you feel happy and relaxed is the most important change that you can make. If you are worried about personalizing your home due to resale, I say still go for it. If it’s something that makes you happy, then you will enjoy looking at it every day. Chances are, if you sell your home, the future owners will love the changes you made just as much as you do. Personality and style can set your home apart from the others, ensuring that they will remember it – in a good way. If all else fails, the new owners can repaint to add their own personality to the space.
Brooke is an interior designer and mom to three boys. She thinks she can do it all, if she could only find the time. For more information, visit www.brooklynberrydesigns.com.
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