Studies show that surroundings do influence your mood. A nicely decorated room is instantly uplifting, while a dreary one bums you out. If you’re afraid changing your décor costs a lot, the experts say these seven decorating tips deliver big impact for little money.
Lighten up the place. Nothing puts people in a bad mood quicker than bad lighting. Find lamps with style and personality and use bulbs with a softer light.
Punch up the color. The trick is to do this without using paint. Add colorful throw pillows, glassware, frames and vases, which cost less than paint and are a lot less hassle.
Use color strategically. Researchers say colors do affect mood. Red and violet boost energy, so use them in a home office, entryway, or by stairs. Keep them out of bedrooms and baths. Green and yellow make you feel upbeat, so they’re great to brighten up children’s rooms, family rooms, and rooms with neutral tones. Blue is soothing—the color of sky and sea—so it works well anywhere. But stick to soft, muted blues, as bright, strong shades can be stimulating.
Bring out your personal style. In one study, 50% of the people had at least one fully furnished room that still felt “incomplete.” Decorators suggest using décor touches that reflect your personal style. A room feels more “done” when it feels more “you.”
Give a boost to the bedroom. Another study said 48% of respondents felt the bedroom would be helped the most by small décor changes. Get new sheets, pillows, comforter covers, bedspreads. Change out the nightstand lamps. Add a lamp to a dark corner, get new picture frames and maybe a jewelry caddy for the dresser. Colorful throw pillows on the bed can get a room out of its rut.
Make a cozier kitchen. A kitchen has to function, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be homey. Bring in personal decorative touches—eye-catching containers, colorful jars, unusual vases, funky signs—it’s all in the details.
Scope out new accessories. Accessories freshen up a room. Add bold, surprising items—mugs with cool designs, signs and pennants with funny sayings, unusual throw rugs, eye-catching posters, frames that display a whole group of family photos. Personal collections—from stuffed animals to baseball cards—can also create unique interest.
If you’re looking for entirely new surroundings to meet your changing needs, we can help with the financing. A great time to buy a new home, refinance your current one at a lower rate, or fund improvements, is right now, with rates still low and a wide range of financing options. Please contact us any time… Have a great day!