I’m writing this blog post to you coming off of our 2nd Virtual Vibrant Living event — and it was so much fun! To those who attended, thank you for joining, sipping wine virtually with us, and asking us your design questions.
We absolutely love having the opportunity to help you not just “stay” at home, but LIVE at home during these times.
If you couldn’t attend (we missed you!), I am thrilled to share some of the event’s best takeaways with you here. For small, impactful touches you can do at home right now, keep reading!
Note: If you’re planning a larger project, we have added a few new services that can be done via video call: Virtual Design Consultations and Design Direction.
1. Assess your existing space
The first step is to assess what’s already working for you and what’s not. Maybe you no longer love the color of your walls or the layout of your living room furniture. Maybe the space lacks lighting or needs some relaxing greenery.
Once you figure out how you would like to spruce up your home, you will also have to assess how feasible it is to accomplish that change right now.
For instance, you may not love your living room sofa, but buying such a large piece of furniture online can be difficult. Instead, you could purchase some new throw pillows online for a quick update and save those larger pieces for later.
Pillows in solids and patterns liven up this sofa
2. Spruce up your home with a fresh coat of paint
If a room feels dull to you, painting walls is a no-brainer fix! I’ve been a designer for many years, and I never get tired of seeing the transformation a fresh coat of paint can create.
Fortunately, Home Depot and other local paint stores are still open for business, as long as you wear a mask! If you want to avoid entering the store, some will also have call-ahead and curb-side pickup or options for online ordering.
P.S. If you’re having trouble selecting a paint color for your space, our How Light Affects Color Guide can help.
Creamy beige and white trim create depth in this dining room.
3. Decluttering à la KonMari
Decluttering a space can lift a huge weight off your shoulders, not to mention improve the functionality in your home. Yes, I know even the term “decluttering” can come with its own stigma, so think about it as… channeling your inner Marie Kondo.
Because the truth is, whether it’s a smaller project like your kitchen pantry or a larger project like an entire basement, removing things that you don’t need and don’t bring you joy anymore can be transformative. For your space and for your mind.
Another clutter-some culprit that many of us don’t think to look for are window treatments. An easy way to bring some life back into a room is by taking down old draperies that look heavy, faded and drab. Plus, natural light is certainly a mood booster!
Natural light in the morning is sure to boost your mood!
4. Look for hidden surprises
As you are decluttering and assessing your home, keep a sharp eye out for hidden surprises. These could be accessories you forgot you had, art that has long since faded into the background, or other treasures that have been hiding in corners.
One of our favorite styling tips is to take the sleeves off of books – many of them have colorful spines hiding underneath!
You can then use these hidden gems in new places or combine them with other accessories (the next step) to create a fresh, vibrant look you love.
Would you look at those vibrant spines?!
5. Get stylish with accessories
Home accessories are a great way to bring in color and personality to your space, and you don’t necessarily have to go shopping to freshen up your space (though you certainly could!).
For a fun styling activity, you could gather all the accessories that you own into one place, group them into categories (books, trays, decorative objects, etc.) and then re-style each surface — shelves, consoles, mantles, tables, and so on.
Then if you think there’s some pieces that you’re missing, go online shopping! Coffee table books, table lamps, throw pillows and blankets, art prints and other décor can all be purchased from the comfort of your home.
Download our guide, How to Style Your Bookcase, for steps, tips, and inspiration!
Don’t forget to accessorize the kitchen. 😉
I hope these tips give you a good start on sprucing up your space. For more daily inspiration, be sure to follow us on Instagram and stay tuned for news of our next event. 😉
Until then, I hope you stay well and stay safe!
Xoxo,
Janelle
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