Most of us have spent a long period of time inside our homes because of quarantine. We have been in our living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens for far too long and everything around us has become monotony. That coffee table or bookshelf that once brightened up the living room has now lost its spark and everything is boring. Well, now that life is slowly easing back to ‘normal,’ this could be the perfect time to upgrade your space and have your home looking its very best. From adding pillows and a fresh coat of paint to your walls, here are simple ways to give your home a vibrant look. Revamp your lighting Lighting is an important aspect when it comes to interior design as it enhances an artistic appeal, as well as creates the mood and ambiance of a living space. Lucille Uwineza, an interior designer, says with great lighting, a home can go from plain and cold to cosy, and that this really improves things, especially in the living room. For the best balance, lighting shouldn’t override a room but it shouldn’t be dimmed either. This is why it is important to have enough sources of light in every space. To balance artificial light with natural light, however, you can use dimmers and these can instantly change a room’s atmosphere by giving it a sudden glow and modified touch. Accessorise your home Great interior designing involves decorating from the inside out by adding some flair to your home’s style with accessories. These can be lamps, pillows or artwork pieces to revitalise your walls. Carefully placing these items in an even and orderly manner creates a beautiful space. It also gives a home a sense of cohesiveness and vibrancy. Declutter Whereas you want to add decorative objects that evoke beauty and creativity ensure to do this without creating chaos and clutter. Uwineza says some people have far too many things in their spaces, it could be too many sofas or congested decorative pieces on a wall. She, however, says this creates a suffocating atmosphere. Carefully display curated collections of souvenirs, art and rugs among other accessories without over doing it. Sort any extra items and put them away. This will create enough space and will give your home a more sophisticated look. Replace your curtains Curtains are one of the items that give an ultimate touch to interior décor. Joan Nakazibwe, a designer and owner of a décor business, says if one is bored with the current face of their home, a change of curtains can really be a good idea for a fresh look. “If one can afford it, they can even change the curtain rails to give everything a complete makeover,” she says. Once curtains have faded out, hanging a new set can offer a fresh feel for your home. Revive your outside area For those who are lucky to have outside space or a big compound, Nakazibwe recommends decorating with natural flowers for an inviting look. She says that small changes can make a big difference. “Rake up the leaves, trim the plants, mow the lawn and throw away anything that has been lying around and unused.” Add more ‘green’ to your space Besides helping clean the air indoors, plants can really make a home look elegant. Uwineza says placing a few potted plants in your living spaces can make an incredible difference. She advises to go for natural plants for an effective result. Rearrange things for a fresh perspective When renovating your home, you can try a new furniture layout by let’s say moving a couch to a different wall, moving your fridge to a different location or adjust where your armchair sits. A simple rotation of items around the house can really brighten up a space in new ways. Get a colour theme According to Uwineza, some people like this. “It could be a yellow, where you can get yellow pillows for the couch to add life to your place, or for those who prefer dark colours - dark blue can be a good choice, and it is trending internationally.” The designer suggests not to use more than three colours at most if you want to mix. “White is a good choice of colour since it is bright and it also matches with most things,” she adds. A colour theme helps to connect the colours throughout your house, and it prevents the use of the exact same colour in every room, which could lead to monotony. Whichever method you use to connect the colours in your home, use some matching elements all through to increase flow. You can choose to paint countertops with the same colour of the furniture or curtains. Or, use the same carpet colour in every room.
