Trick or Treat Yourself to a Home Refresh
Halloween means different things to different people. For some, it’s one day out of the year where Halloween gives people the freedom to express aspects of themselves, free from social norms and judgment that they have been afraid to show. It’s the one day some people feel like it’s OK to be different when in reality, it has always been OK to be different and to be your true authentic self in a world that’s in my opinion, unusual, unique, and crazy anyways. For others, it’s a time to honor, shed, and release all that we have all experienced throughout the year. It is a time to make peace with all the things we have needed to let go of and to celebrate and welcome a new cycle as we travel along the journey of life.
For me, I think of Halloween as a day where it allows all of us to be kids once again where creativity flows, and life is just fun, curious, and playful like it should be all the time. Remember what it was like to be a kid? What did that feel like? And, how does that relate to your home? Well, how you feel inside translates outward to your physical space. Since Halloween is one day out of the year when people feel empowered to be anyone they want to be and welcome something new, why not take that confidence and trick or treat yourself to a home refresh? Here are 5 tips for updating your home on a small or large scale this Halloween.
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1. Paint
Paint is a simple yet instant transformation that makes a huge impact. For a modern twist to Halloween’s orange and black, consider earth tones such as ochre, chocolate brown, sienna, or forest green. They are beautiful rich earthy colors that are accentuated when paired with other materials such as wood, marble, or metal. On a small scale, you can paint a side table, the inside back of a bookcase, or picture frames. Or, on a larger scale, change the color of your lower cabinets, paint an accent wall, or add a splash of color to the ceiling as a nice feature to bring the eye upward if you have low ceilings. Paint adds personality and dimension to any space.
2. Natural Textiles
Natural textiles such as cotton, linen, hemp, jute, wool, silk, and cashmere to name a few are a great way to bring texture and depth to your home. Swap out your pillow covers with natural textile in patterns or solids, drape a cashmere throw over your sofa, replace your bed sheets with organic cotton bedding, add a second layer of linen drapes to your windows, or swap out your rug with a wool rug. Natural fibers feel good to the touch and are healthy for your home. Incorporating natural textiles connects you with nature, creating a warm and cozy home.
3. Plants and Flowers
Plants and flowers are one of the best ways you can bring the outdoors in. It helps keep your home fresh, natural, and restful. Place potted plants, succulents, cacti, or a bouquet of flowers on your living room coffee table, kitchen shelves, fireplace mantel, or on your bedside table. They add a pop of color and charm to any room plus they provide mental and health benefits by purifying the air helping a room feel calm and relaxed. They are living organisms that can remove pollutants from the air by absorbing gases such as carbon dioxide through their leaves and roots.
4. Colorful Appliances
Colorful appliances have been a trend and quite popular for some time now. If you are planning a kitchen remodel and want your appliances to be the focal point or the feature of your kitchen, a colorful range, dishwasher, or refrigerator will do the trick. It definitely adds a pop of color, personality, warmth, and fun to any kitchen. If you are tired of stainless steel and want something different for your kitchen, GE, Ilve, SMEG, La Cornue, and BlueStar are some brands that offer appliances in various colors, but at a higher price tag. I recommend keeping the rest of the materials such as countertops, backsplash, and cabinetry simple and fairly neutral so that the appliance is the star and the feature in the space. You’ll have a beautiful kitchen that will be THE conversation piece when entertaining family and friends.
5. Hardware
Hardware is like “jewelry” for your home. It’s a beautiful design detail that can help define your lights, furniture, and accessories while adding that finishing touch to any space. The key is to find the right balance of finishes. I recommend mixing no more than 2-3 different finishes in one room. If you have a predominately white kitchen, for example, black pulls and knobs help create visual contrast against white cabinets while a brass faucet and brass lights add warmth, making the kitchen pop with personality and character. Hardware can easily be added or swapped out. It’s a great way to give your home a refresh while making a bold statement.
Remember, trends come and go. It’s more important to figure out your budget first, then work on what you can realistically do to spruce up your home that fits within your budget. You can take your time in small steps. Plus, it’s important to fill your home with things you love that represent who you are rather than what’s trendy and popular right now. If you need a designer’s help and touch to transform your space, please schedule a 30-minute discovery call here.