Transform your home with simple upgrades for a better lifestyle
How you design your home has a huge impact on the way you feel. Your home is where you spend a lot of your time, so it makes sense that it should reflect the vibe you want to bring into your life, whether that’s energy, a peaceful oasis or a cosy retreat.
With some simple, effective upgrades to design elements like your flooring, fixtures and furniture, you can enhance your home and your lifestyle too. The right changes don’t just have to look good either; but be functional too, giving you more ways to use your home. These are some ways to transform your home with simple upgrades for a better lifestyle.
Look beneath your feet for inspiration
Your flooring can impact the way a room looks and feels. Choosing the right colour and style can be a great way to change the overall tone and feel of your space. Modern solutions, like hybrid and luxury vinyl planks and tile bring style and cleanliness to your space, while being incredibly easy to maintain and keep clean. Whether you’re wanting to mimic the look of timber, stone or concrete, there are plenty of options to achieve the look you want.
Rugs can also be a great addition – especially when a new floor isn’t in the cards. Rugs of different sizes and styles can easily be added to enhance the comfort in your chosen design, whether you’re going for a modern, rustic farmhouse, maximalist or other look.
Bring in more natural light
Natural light can bring life into any room, transforming it from dark and gloomy, to bright and full of energy. This is easily done if your space has large, open windows. However, if a room is feeling a little dark even with the windows open, try swapping to lighter window treatments, both in colour and fabric. Mirrors can also be placed strategically to reflect light, giving you a simple way to upgrade your room using a natural (and free) resource.
Have a room with limited natural light? Opt for light-coloured paint and flooring options to help create the illusion of a brighter, lighter space. You can also use cool-toned light bulbs to help make it feel like there’s more sunlight than there really is.
Incorporate multifunctional furniture
Multifunctional furniture is the secret weapon of the interior design world, especially for smaller homes or apartments. If you’re working with limited space, it’s time to get creative.
If you love to entertain, but don’t have a lot of space, sofa beds and extendable dining tables can give you more space temporarily, and are easily packed away when you no longer need them.
Smaller spaces can also mean it’s easy for clutter to build up. But multifunctional furniture, like storage ottomans, can give you added space for your belongings without taking up any additional room. It’s simple upgrades like this that can really help enhance your lifestyle, giving you a clutter-free home to enjoy.
Space-saving furniture ideas
While ottomans, sofa beds and extendable tables are great, there are many more space-saving furniture ideas to help upgrade your home. Wall-mounted desks can easily be tucked away when not in use. Fold-out beds are a newer space-saving solution, tucking away into a cupboard or up onto the wall. It’s a great way to turn your spare room into a multi-functional room, such as an office during the day and a guest room, when needed.
Simple upgrades for your kitchen and bathroom
Outdated kitchen and bathroom fixtures can leave your home feeling dated. Plus, it can be an even bigger issue if your taps are leaking or handles keep coming off.
The great thing about hardware is that it’s easy and affordable to replace. Updating handles can help create a consistent look throughout your home. If you have the budget and are looking for a bigger upgrade, you may want to consider swapping out cupboard doors or even paint them a fresh new colour.
Enhance your outdoor living spaces
When upgrading your home, your outdoor living spaces often come last. But these spaces are typically where we spend a lot of time relaxing, especially in those warmer months. It’s also a space that can often be the easiest and most affordable to upgrade. Plus, it can help create more living space for you to eat, relax and entertain.
Some simple additions, like comfy furniture designed for the outdoors, a few cushions, an outdoor rug and some decorative lighting can help liven up your patio, balcony, or other outdoor spaces. Solar lighting is a great option as you don’t need to worry about having power outlets available, while citronella candles can help keep the bugs away while you unwind or enjoy spending time with friends and family.
Simple changes for a significant impact
Even the simplest upgrades can have the biggest improvement on the lifestyle and comfort of your home. Start with one or two small changes, and you can see what a difference it makes. Making one or two modest changes at a time also lets you focus your attention on getting them right, before moving onto your next project. Remember, your home is your oasis, so make the changes that mean the most to you and your lifestyle.
