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Fall in Love with your Home Again

Do you remember when you first laid eyes on your home? The excitement! Just like a first crush, you can't stop thinking about it. Well if things have gotten a bit... stale, it is time to make some changes to spice up your home again. Sometimes it only takes a few simple tweaks in each room for you to view your home in a fresh, new light.

Fall back in love with your home

Here are some simple changes you can make to your home that will help you start to love it once again.

Curb Appeal

Often the attraction to our home starts with a look from the street. The front entryway is the first feature that draws you in. Focus on these three things to boost your home's curb appeal.

  • Paint the Front Door: Color options are endless so let your imagination run wild. Whether you are searching for a bold statement or a subtle hue, the cost and time commitment here is minimal. And can be changed frequently! Collect lots of paint samples and stick them to the door so you can see how they look at all times of the day.
  • Door Decor: Are you crafty? If so, this could be a great place to put your personal stamp on your home and let your style shine. If crafting isn't your thing, there is no shortage of decorative items out there to adorn your entryway. Many people opt to collect wreaths for their front door that provide a seasonal rotation throughout the year.
Curb Appeal at Home
  • Flower Boxes: If your home seems to be lacking style, but you have already spruced up the entryway, maybe your windows are calling out for attention. Try installing flower boxes under some of your windows to add some color or greenery. If you lack a green thumb, there are lots of artificial plant options that will look still look amazing from the street.

Don't stop at your front door! Here are some ideas to upgrade the inside of your home.

Foyer & Entryway

  • Baskets: The beauty of placing baskets in the foyer of your home is that they provide style and functionality. They can be used as a catch-all, or specifically for shoes, umbrellas, or even your work bag.
  • Lamps: The lighting in the foyer of your home can set the mood for what is to come as you move throughout the house. If the only existing lighting option is overhead, adding a table lamp or floor lamp here will quickly add ambiance to this space.
  • Rugs: Most homes have some type of rug placed at (or near) the front door. Entryway rugs are necessary to collect wet or muddy shoes, but it might be time for a new one. Consider a darker color or heavy pattern, which will camouflage any dirt or stains that inevitably collect here.
  • Coat Rack or Wall Hooks: Not all foyers have a coat closet. If you are constantly picking up coats, scarves and hats, try installing a row of hooks or a coat rack. Be mindful of how they look both with and without things hanging on them!
Entryway Decor
  • Fun Chair: If space allows, the foyer is the perfect area to place a beautiful chair or bench. Not only will guests and family appreciate the convenience of having a spot to sit and put on shoes, but it is one of the best ways to add color, pattern, and overall style to an often-overlooked space in your house.

Living/Family Room

  • Throw Blankets: Nothing says it's time to get comfortable like a throw blanket. This is a simple way to signal to family and guests that you want them to relax and enjoy the space. Choose a variety of colors, textures and styles and store them close by to be switched out often.
  • Artwork and Travel Photos: The artwork and photography in your main living areas should be a direct reflection of who you are. Print, frame and display your vacation photos. Collect paintings and photography from local street artists during your travels and hang them in this space to invoke happy memories. Let your personality shine through your art. They will add interest and beauty to your rooms, and they are GREAT conversation starters as well.
  • Greenery and Houseplants: One of the first things many people notice when they enter a room is plants. What a simple and eyecatching way to add life and color to the public spaces in your home. Find the area that has the best natural light and create a display of light-loving greenery that will thrive. If your room is a bit dark, choose plants that don't require much light. A snake plant is a great choice for light-challenged rooms, and they give off LOTS of oxygen as well. If you have pets, be sure to avoid this list of harmful plants to keep them safe. And for those of you without a green thumb, here are 26 houseplants that are (almost) impossible to kill.

Kitchen

  • Under-Cabinet Lighting: If you have ever entered a kitchen at night that has under-cabinet lighting, you will probably agree that it amplifies the style as well as the light in the room. There are many inexpensive and easy-to-install options - there are even stick-on light strips that can be beautiful and also feature a variety of colors and intensities of light. If you don't feel comfortable, or don't have the skills to install under-cabinet lighting yourself, give your electrician a call.
  • Backsplash: Installing a backsplash in your kitchen is one of the most impactful ways to upgrade your kitchen for a reasonable cost. Options like ceramic tile, beadboard, metal panels, stone and an endless variety of other materials, make it easy to choose a design that fits well with your space. If your current backsplash is becoming outdated, damaged, stained, or you are simply in the mood for a color change, it might be time to remove the old and install a brand new backsplash. With under-cabinet lighting illuminating your new backsplash, you may not want to leave this room!
Kitchen decor refresh
  • Rugs and Comfort Mats: A simple way to make a big change in your kitchen is by adding a new rug. Be sure to narrow your search for rugs to ones that are washable. There are brands that feature an outer layer velcroed to a pad below, which allows you to toss it in the wash when it is dirty. If you opt for thin, washable throw rugs, make sure they have rubber backs or can be taped down to avoid slipping. Comfort mats are available if you're looking for a little cushion to save your back.
  • Appliance Upgrades: Are your kitchen appliances tired and worn out? If budget allows, you may want to opt for replacing these workhorses. There are lots of fun features too... Do you want a computer screen on your refrigerator, a small section of your oven designed solely for baking cookies or pizza, or maybe even a dishwasher that runs so quietly that you need a laser light projected onto the floor to indicate that it is in use? It is a good idea to make a list of the features you desire, in order of importance, when making a selection.

Bathroom

  • Textiles: Bathrooms are filled with cold, hard surfaces that accommodate heavy water use. To make it cozier, add some soft textures. Replace any old towels, rugs and shower curtains (if there is one) with interesting textures and colors that beckon you in when you walk by. You won't regret it!
Bathroom refresh textures
  • Faucet: Bathroom faucets are often overlooked - they can be more than just functional! Changing it out is an easy and inexpensive way to upgrade your bathroom to match your style. Coordinate the style with the textiles you choose as well as the existing shower and tub fixtures.
  • Shelves: If your bathroom or powder room is on the smaller side, wall shelves are a great solution to add storage space. If you live in an apartment and can't install anything on the wall, try an over-the-toilet shelf. If you own your home, you make the rules! Try floating shelves to store your fluffy towels, beautiful baskets or even a wireless speaker (if you are the type to sing in the shower 😉).

Laundry/Utility Room

  • Remove clutter: It seems like we are all guilty of using our laundry rooms as a dumping ground. Start your work in the laundry room, or utility room, by removing all the clutter. Ready to tackle the entire house? Check out our One Month Declutter Challenge to help you organize and declutter your entire house in 30 days.
  • Hang a Drying Rack: If you find that you regularly use your dining chairs or even closet doors to air dry some of your more delicate items, you may need a drying rack. How about installing a fold-down or swing-out rack to keep the air-drying limited to one area of your home. You'll be able to relax more when you aren't staring at laundry all over your house. Keeping your home neat and organized can often be the result of a few well-placed storage bars or hooks!
  • Install Folding Table or Shelf: How many times have you loaded a laundry basket straight from the dryer and carried it to another room to fold? It may be time to install a folding table or shelf in your laundry room. This is just one small step that can help save time and energy in your home.
  • Lighting: Do you dread the thought of going into your laundry room? Try cleaning or replacing your light fixture to change the mood of the space. If replacing the fixture isn't an option, how about a cute table lamp? You may find that the more attention you give this room, the more time you will spend there.

Backyard/Deck/Patio

  • Outdoor Dining Area: More and more people are designing private, outdoor spaces as an extension of their homes. We recommend designating an area in your backyard (or sideyard) for some al fresco dining. Already have a dining area? Spruce it up by replacing any weather-worn furniture and cushions. Oh, and string lights are always a great way to add some ambiance. More on that in a few.
Backyard patio dining space
  • Fountain: A fountain might be just what you are looking for to make your backyard deck or patio stand out. The sound that cascading water creates is so peaceful and relaxing! Many fountains are also equipped with lighting that creates a spectacular focal point at night.
  • Fire Pit Area: If a water feature isn't for you, how about a fire feature? Many people prefer to gather around a fire pit in the evenings, especially on cool days. The allure of a crackling fire is intoxicating and can provide hours of good times, socializing around its glow. Just be sure to read up on fire safety for backyard bonfires!
  • String Lights and Hanging Candles: Our final idea for creating a backyard space you will LOVE 👉 layered lighting! Even if you have existing landscape lighting, you may want to hang string lights over the top of your seating area or a nearby tree. Consider torch lighting, hanging glass canisters with candles, or candles that contain citronella to help keep the mosquitoes at bay. There are no rules here. Just keep adding lighting to your space until you are happy with the way it looks and feels.

Once you have taken the time to refresh all these spaces with some small changes, you're sure to fall in love with your home all over again. Remember, like all good relationships, your relationship with your home will change over time. The key to loving your home for years to come is continually being mindful of how you live in it, and making the necessary adjustments as time passes.


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