Your home is your castle and it can be a reflection of who you are as well as a place you can relax in, enjoy with family and friends and also escape to.
There are plenty of us who look around our homes and feel there is more than can be done in each room to get that perfect look but sometimes it is difficult to see exactly what needs to be done in order to upgrade our décor from good to great.
Ever-changing styles provide us with more decisions to make and it can be difficult to decide that your décor no longer needs work. That’s why we’re here to help you out with some simple suggestions and modern design elements that you can combine with your existing aesthetic to update your look. Read on for our 7 top tips to add elegance to your home.
Colour
The colours within the walls of our home have the ability to affect our mood and it’s also a perfect opportunity to showcase our personalities and styles. Always try to stick to the golden rules of colour when you’re looking to update your walls such as darker shades for larger rooms only and lighter shades for smaller ones as well as colour-matching.
White induces a clean, fresh feel and can be bought to life with pops of brighter colours or made ultra-modern with an abundance of houseplants, while pale greys induce an elegant and calming atmosphere. Brighten up your home with pale yellows for an optimistic outlook or add an air of royalty with rich purples; pale blues give off a cooler vibe, while darker shades offer comfort and elegance.
People respond to certain colours in different ways as they can bring up memories, positive or negative, so, ultimately, make sure you are pleased with the colour and shade you are going for before that paint goes on the walls or those colourful accessories are added.
Accessories
Give your room an elegant touch by adding beautiful and fashionable accessories that can be changed with the seasons and even swap them between rooms to give a different look as and when you feel. A new wall clock or piece or art can change the look instantly, while mirrors will help the room look more spacious. An accent chair will be a big draw for guests, while custom canvas photos are a popular way to style special photographs in a modern way.
Make use of windows with curtains or blinds that emphasise what you have and don’t block any part of the window, if you can, let the light in! Match curtains, cushions and rugs to bring the look of the room together and feel free to change up cushion covers with the changing seasons to instantly update your room every quarter. Indoor plants add a contemporary look and bring life and elegance to any room – just remember to take care of them!
Hardwood floors
This isn’t such an easy update but it will be worth the effort and cost and will make a huge impact on your home. The varying options when choosing solid hardwood floors mean that you can go classic or modern, depending on the style and colour you choose and it will look great for years to come. Long-lasting and with a high quality look, this flooring will certainly add the wow factor to your home and it is easy to clean and provides a better indoor environment for allergy sufferers too as carpets can trap, dust, dirt and pollens.
Lighting
Consider some different lighting options to suit your current style. Whether you have a classic or contemporary look in your home there will be a huge variety of lighting you can choose from to add class and elegance to any room, whether it’s your hallway, kitchen, bathroom or lounge.
Lighting makes a difference, whether you go for hanging pendant lamps, wall lights, sleek spotlights, ceiling lights with super-modern glass shades or metallic options, you will surely find something interesting to add a talking point to your home.
Modernise your bed
A new bed can change us, if we sleep well we are happier, there is no question about that, so it’s really important to have a space that induces restfulness. If your bedroom needs modernising then consider the overall theme and choose calmer colours and softer fabrics to aid a better night’s sleep.
A new headboard or bed frame will instantly change the theme of your room, if you love reading in bed perhaps a soft cushioned headboard will be just what you require to recline against, and they add a classy look too. A pillow that supports your neck is important too so pick one with the correct firm factor, this is especially important if you suffer with neck, shoulder or back pain and this will make a difference to a good night’s sleep. A decent quality duvet and soft bedsheets will also aid better sleep, make sure your duvet can be amended for the seasons so you are just as comfortable in winter as you are in summer. Scatter cushions and throws are an easy way to add versatility to your bedroom and can offer colour and bring the theme of any room together.
Keep things simple
Try not to get too overwhelmed with the idea that every room has to look like it’s ready for a magazine shoot. Updating your home to a standard that you find elegant and comfortable is the aim and if that means changing a few small things or an entire room from top to bottom then that’s fine but make sure to keep the look consistent. Don’t be tempted to buy every stylish thing you see and hope it works, do your research first if starting from scratch and plan ahead so that the outcome is as elegant as its owner. If you buy items that you’re unsure of, try it in another room and also don’t be afraid to add a statement piece to a more plain room.
Keep it tidy
You can spend all the time, energy and money you like into updating your home to a standard fit for royalty but if it isn’t kept tidy and clean then there’s very little point. Our lives are busier these so if this is a worry for you then consider hiring a cleaner, if you don’t have one already. Your home will be yours to enjoy rather than spending hours making it presentable.
