Are you getting the itch to change things up in your home? Over a quarter of Brits aged 25-34 say they redecorate every six months, but you don’t need a huge overhaul to have a big impact.
For a noticeable effect without all-consuming effort, here are a few practical and affordable ideas for doing more with your space.
Strategic placement of mirrors
Mirrors are really useful tools for maximising rooms. They can visually expand small spaces and create a sense of openness, especially when placed well to catch and reflect natural light. You can place them to redirect light towards your favourite parts of a room, highlighting architectural features, or make them the focal point in their own right. If you’ve been feeling cramped, a mirror is a great antidote.
The power of plants
Introducing greenery into your home is a simple change that can go a long way. Not only do plants bring an easy natural beauty with them—especially if they’re a shade of green that either matches or contrasts with the room around them—but they have also been shown to improve wellbeing.
Spending time around plants can boost your mood and lower stress, helping make a home feel truly relaxing. Even if you don’t have any kind of inclination to take care of a plant, you could opt for a super-low-maintenance option like a cactus or another succulent.
Lighting magic
The lighting you choose can have a huge impact on mood and atmosphere, so mixing up how you light a room might be the only change you need to make. You could opt for clean, broad coverage of overhead fixtures, a cosier effect from table lamps or floor lamps, or even add a touch of magic using festoon lights that can really make a space feel special.
Creative use of wall art
Wall art can set the tone for a room—the bigger the piece, the bigger its overall impact. Choose pieces that reflect your personal style, as you’ll be looking at them a lot. The colour contrast is important here—aim to balance bright or busy art by placing it against neutral walls, enabling the imagery to stand out.
Play with texture
Texture—the material or physical feel of an object—is key to adding depth and interest to a space. You can use the texture of smaller additions like cushions, blankets, and rugs to add warmth and personality to a room, either softening the starker edges of the space or doubling down on cosiness.