Originally published in the Yorkshire Post - 15th January 2014
Down in the
dumps? Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall
offers advice to give your home a cost-effective spruce up.
Giving your home a mini-facelift is perfect to beat the
winter blues so here are ten tips to revamp your home without breaking the
January budgets.
1.
Give bulbs
a clean
In winter gloom artificial light is exceptionally important
and cleaning your light bulbs has an amazing impact. Safety is paramount, so it is important that you unplug or switch off
electricity before attempting this. Then
take a slightly damp cloth and wipe down the bulbs in your light fittings and any glass covers you may. Wait to dry before turning back on. It's a little thing, but makes a major difference.
2.
Refresh
your paintwork
No matter how clean you keep it, paint colour dulls and
darkens with age. If your paintwork is
over two or three years old invest in a tin of good quality emulsion and
repaint a room for an immediate uplift.
3.
Replace
your sofa or chair cushion inners
If your sofa or chairs are less than comfy, the problem may
be your cushion inners. Speak to your
local upholsterer who should be able just to supply a cushion inner made to your required size and requirements, find a cushion filling you like (we prefer foam-feather wrap
which gives the comfort of feather with the structure of foam) and order replacement
cushions giving your sofa a new lease of life at a surprisingly low cost.
4.
Invest in
some new scatter cushions
These are the perfect way to introduce a new colour or
texture in your room. Go the whole hog and
add a co-ordinating rug for a total makeover feel.
5.
Add a
Feature Wall
Create new interest in a plain scheme by adding a feature
wall in textured or patterned wallpaper in a colour toning with your existing room.
Remember when choosing to ensure the size of any pattern is not too large for the
area.
6.
Clean and
Polish Natural Wood Floors
Give floors a serious clean with a proprietary cleaning
agent, then re-oil or re-polish dependent upon the original finish of the
floor. The wood will rejuvenate before
your eyes, allowing you to fall in love with it all over again.
7.
Re-grout
bathroom tiles and refresh silicone sealant
This will help make a tired bathroom look clean and
refreshed! Remember to remove all old silicone before reapplying to ensure the perfect seal and the perfect look.
8.
Invest in
new bedding or towels
This is the perfect way to spruce up a bedroom or bathroom - giving it an immediate uplift and some sensory joy. The Sales
are the ideal time to get better quality
for your money. Look for at least 300
thread count to feel like a film star as you slip between the sheets and invest in bath sheets to avoid having to skimp on size.
9.
Re-upholster
your headboard
Not only a great pick-me-up, but a great way to introduce
new textures or colours into your room.
10. Repaint your front door
Why just worry about “kerb appeal” when you are selling your
house? A properly and freshly painted
door makes a home look instantly loved and should help cheer you up every time
you walk through it.
For more inspiration visit www.jamiehempsall.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment