Whether you are envisioning a home remodel, planning a few small weekend projects, or settling in after a recent move, you can transform the look of your home with these well-known interior design tips. Designers themselves use these strategies, with minimal effort and at low cost, to create statement-making inspirational rooms.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors work well in small rooms as they make them feel larger. They also add instant light to any room, particularly when placed across from windows. Have fun with mirror shape and size. Consider decorative mirrors which work like art to fill empty wall spaces. Any mirror can make a space feel lighter and more spacious. In fact, many designers recommend one in every room.

Bring Nature In

Plants make a great addition to your living space. They are relatively inexpensive and add both color and texture to any room. Plants will clean the air and keep your humidity balanced. Don’t have a green thumb? Think succulents or palms which are particularly easy to care for. Get creative with plant size and planters. Place small succulents in your bathroom or kitchen and large indoor palm trees in your living room or wherever you have large windows. You will love how plants add an inviting, cozy feel to your home.

Paint the Unexpected

A pop of color will brighten any room particularly if it’s unexpected. Painting a bookshelf, the inside of a closet, a hallway, or a ceiling can be a great way to bring color to a space and to surprise the senses. Paint is inexpensive and easy to apply and the sky’s the limit with color. Don’t be afraid to try something new.

Update the Little Things

An easy, low-cost update of fixtures and cabinets can make a big difference in the look of your home. Dated bronze light fixtures will look great after a pass of satin-nickel spray paint. Easily replace out-of-fashion hardware on kitchen cabinets and while you’re at it, apply a few coats of refreshing bright white paint. Take a tour around the house and remove all old and possibly mismatched switch plates and outlet covers. Replace them with new matching ones to modernize your space.

Don’t Match

When decorating your home, one of the most important things you can do is to decorate based on your personality and style. Decorate your living room with a modern sofa you love and your grandfather’s Edwardian mahogany writing table. Both tell a story, a story of your past and of your present and they can coexist beautifully together. This is true with art as well. Your home should reflect your aesthetic. If you love abstract art, primitive art, and photography, decorate your walls with a variety of pieces. Choose fabrics and furniture in interesting colors and play with patterns and texture. Accessorize with creativity using contrasting but complementary rugs and pillows. Have fun with unusual choices. Hang a rug on the wall. Pair a no-nonsense but stylish sofa with lush, pricey silk pillows. Invest in forever side tables and pair them with thrift store lamps. These strategies are a great way to put your stamp on your home.

Barn Doors

Another creative way to transform your home is by adding a sliding barn door. Barn doors come in a variety of styles to match any decor, they are space savers, and they are energy efficient. Swap out an en suite door with a sliding barn door and save space while making a bold statement in any master bedroom. Add double sliding barn doors to a large open concept area and create a private dining area, home office or guest bedroom. The options are endless. Questions about which barn door is right for you? Contact us, we can help.