11 Quick Ways to Instantly Make Over Any Room
Place a Potted Plant
"Buy a tree in a basket or planter and put it in your loneliest corner," says designer Celerie Kemble. "I love a fiddle leaf fig for its sweet platypus bill-like leaves. If you want to go the extra mile, stick some uplights behind it."
knows. "When we got a puppy, we casually draped and tucked those white canvas painter's drop cloths over the furniture," he says. "It calmed everything down and looked so good that we kept them on a lot longer than we had to."
Clear Clutter
Can't sleep at night? The chaos in your bedroom may be to blame. "I once had a friend stay with me for a week and she cleaned out all my drawers. It was a life-changing experience. So go to the Container Store and buy all those drawer dividers and start organizing," says designer Phoebe Howard.
Coat Details in Dark Paint
A little contrast makes a big difference. "Paint your baseboards a contrasting color like Spanish brown or dark gray. It's like applying eyeliner — it will make the wall pop. Plus, it won't show scuffs," says designer Thomas Jayne.
the carpet — on an angle," says designer Vicente Wofl. "It will change the whole dynamic of a room."
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Lean Your Art
Skip the hassle of hanging. Instead, simply prop art on a mantel or picture rail. "Go to Home Depot, buy a length of crown molding at least two inches deep, and nail it to the wall to create a picture ledge," says designer Suzanne Lovell. "I'd do it in a family space, like a kitchen or a hallway. Buy standard frames and pop in your children's art or family photos."
Try a New Shade
"If you want a little drama in your life, change the color of your lampshades to black. Much more dramatic, and it creates lovely pools of light — along with a little punctuation — in a room. Line the shades in gold paper to add a little sparkle," says designer Jennifer Garrigues.
Upgrade Curtains
"If you want to accentuate the height of a room, apply braid, tape, or trim to the leading edge of the draperies," says designer Barry Dixon. A valance or cornice also helps emphasize height while offering a pulled-together look.
Switch Knobs and Pulls
"Change out all your kitchen cabinetry hardware," urges designer Kerry Joyce, who recommends the glass knobs at Crown City Hardware or Restoration Hardware.
Liven Up Shelves
"If your bookshelves look bland, paint the back and sides a contrasting color. Pick up the color across the room with an accent pillow or a throw," says designer Connie Beale. A bold patterned paper also does the trick.
Add Instant Ambiance
"The single cheapest makeover I know is a dimmer, new music, and some flowers," says desigern Glenn Gissler.
