Spring has officially sprung, and your home could do with a fresh look. You don’t have to break the bank or spend too much time sprucing it up. Think simple: it’s the little touches that make all the difference.
We’re all aware of the easiest trick in the book, updating cushions, throws and bed linen, but what are some other fast fixes?
Domain asked interior designer Jacque Yates, of Three Little Pigs Colour and Design, and home stylist Ruth Welsby for their top five tips.
One of the most cost-effective ways of sprucing up your home is with a lick of paint Photo: Martina Gemmola – Haymes Paint
Declutter and clean up
If winter was all about hygge for you, congrats – you cosied up and rested up, and now you’ll have the energy for the great clear-out.
Pack away chunky knits, woollen throws, snug slippers and fireplace accessories; and introduce crisp cottons and tactile linen to cool down, Welsby says.
Paring back is the best place to start, says Yates. “Clearing out and reorganising has a two-fold effect – it literally clears your space and your mind.”
A print wall or “salon hang” adds instant impact and is easy to put together. Photo: Martina Gemmola – Hunting For George
Compile a checklist before you purchase the storage boxes. Is that trinket really going to be a family heirloom one day? Do you want, rather than need, that trendy kitchen accessory? If you’re undecided, call in a professional organiser.
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And don’t forget to clean all your surfaces once done, says Yates. No matter how tidy your house is, if your windows are covered in grime, this will reflect internally.
The paint feint
One of the most cost-effective ways of sprucing up your home is with a lick of paint, says Welsby. It’s a classic DIY fix.
For an extra pop, choose plants with colour, shape and texture. Photo: Martina Gemmola – Cantilever Interiors
“For spring, think light, airy colours in off-whites that will make the most of sunny days. A great trick to freshening up a room is to contrast a neutral colour with a crisp white trim.”
Show your personality through the colours you choose, says Yates. Paint is inexpensive and easily updated.
“The feature wall is making a comeback, so embrace it by giving life to your space with some subtle colour, texture or shimmer,” says Yates. “Whether you paint a whole wall, half a wall or just your ceiling, it’s about creating a surface with interest and depth.”
In small spaces well-placed mirrors can become your best friend. Photo: Martina Gemmola – Wowowa Architects
Design a gallery wall
Do you have a bare wall that needs a bit of attention? A print wall or “salon hang” adds instant impact and is easy to put together, says Welsby.
“First, gather your prints and artworks and lay them out on the floor to create a composition you like. It’s better to do this first before hammering holes into your walls where you don’t want them!
“Make sure you mix up the size and orientation of your prints for a visually pleasing effect. Hang the largest print first and work out from there until all your prints are sitting pretty in their new home.”
Bring the great outdoors indoors
Indoor plants are a huge trend right now. “Not only do they look great and add instant impact they also help filter the air,” says Welsby. “Leafy greens add an organic touch to kitchens and, with many kitchen designs currently favouring open shelving, there are plenty of spaces to put them.”
Never underestimate how evocative scent can be, says Yates. “Whether it’s blossoms, flowers or foliage, the fragrance alone will make you smile.”
For an extra pop, choose plants with colour, shape and texture, she says. Variegated leaves, graphic branches and big blooms are all the rage.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
In small spaces well-placed mirrors can become your best friend, vastly expanding walls and amplifying light, says Welsby.
“In the kitchen, used as a splashback, the humble mirror works double time, creating more volume while protecting your walls from splashes and dirt,” she says.
“A huge freestanding mirror leaned up against a wall creates an eye-catching feature while boosting the sense of space in a room, and long mirrors cleverly placed down a tight corridor suddenly doubles its width.”
