Decor & Renovation
6 easy ways to refresh your home for 2019
Photography: Maxime Desbiens | Story: An Old Montreal Home Gets a Clean-Lined, Open Design Update
Decor & Renovation
6 easy ways to refresh your home for 2019
These are the upgrades to make, colours to add and pieces to invest in to make your space even better.
If you're setting your list of New Year's Resolutions for 2019, why not make adding a little T.L.C to your home a priority? While a full-blown renovation can be costly and time-consuming, there are few easy things that can be done that can go a long way in upgrading your space.
We spoke to Sophia Reay, the principal interior designer at LemonTree + Co. Interiors to find out simple tips and tricks to refresh your home for 2019. She shares what upgrades to make, colours to add and pieces to invest in to take your space to the next level.
1. Declutter and edit.
Photography: Stacey Brandford | Story: Style at Home—The Clutter-Free, Kid-Friendly Home You Never Thought Was Possible
Don't wait until spring to purge items you no longer use. "January is a great month to edit our decor and tackle the clutter that may have accumulated over the past year," shares Reay. "Clear the canvas, so to speak. Sometimes taking away from a space is all the freshening up it needs." By eliminating the items that you no longer love, you create room for ones that you do.
2. Touch up paint.
Photography: Janis Nicolay | Story: Style at Home—A West Coast Family Home Decorated With East Coast-Inspired Accents
A fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference in a room, especially on the trim. "We tend to overlook areas in our own homes such as baseboard and casing," says Reay. And while you might not want to spend your precious vacation days painting, the holidays are a great time to tackle this type of chore. If you're stumped on what colour to choose, Reay's favourite is Snow White by Benjamin Moore.
3. Add a splash of jewel-toned velvet.
Photography: Stephani Buchman | Story: Style at Home—A Cozy and Modern Family Home Punctuated With Earth-Tone Accents
Bring some warmth and colour into your room by adding a statement-making item that's velvet and jewel toned. While something like a sapphire blue sofa is an effective way of getting the look, adding smaller hits of the trend can be just as powerful. Reay suggests a pillow or drapery panel if a bigger piece of furniture is a little too daunting.
4. Bring in some life.
Photography: Maxime Desbiens | Story: An Old Montreal Home Gets a Clean-Lined, Open Design Update
"Plants, cut branches or a bowl of collected stones adds comfort and warmth to a space," shares Raey. "The organic shapes of nature add a touch of authenticity to a space." Not only are these natural elements appealing to the eye, certain houseplants, like rubber plants, palm trees and Boston ferns, can help improve the air quality in your home.
5. Embrace wabi-sabi.
Photography: Stacey Brandford | Story: Style at Home—A Watery Palette and Cheery Prints Give a Toronto Home a Beachy Look
"Handmade, one-of-a-kind items are far more interesting than mass-produced pieces," says Reay. "One or two unique items have a much greater impact than a shelf full of common ones." Hit up a craft market, scope Instagram for local artisans or check out the makers on Etsy for pieces that will surely make a statement in your space.
6. Break the rules.
Photography: Janis Nicolay | Story: Style at Home—An Airy Vancouver Home With Confection-Coloured Accents
Sure, trends are a great starting point when it comes to what to look out for, but there's no need to always follow them. Reay explains, "Our homes should be places that make us feel happy and comfortable. Try less to follow design rules and trends, and more to follow your heart. Our spaces should be a reflection of ourselves — and only we can define what or who that is."
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