Who would have thought at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that we’d be in a similar situation nearly a year later? That we’d still be spending most of our time in our homes, trying to take every step necessary to get through this pandemic in one piece?

All that time spent staring at the same walls can make a homeowner crazy. When we’re living “normal” lives, we’re out and about, our home acting as a neutral zone, or a place to sleep and eat when we’re not meeting up with friends and family, heading to work, or shuttling our kids to after school activities. Now, our home is pretty much the only place we see - and it’s getting a little stale.

Why Your Home May Need a Refresh

It may be that your wall color is feeling bland, or those projects you’ve been meaning to tackle may just be sticking out to you that much more, but you’re probably ready to freshen up your home after a year of social distancing.

Let’s face it - we weren’t meant to be so stationary. Humans are always looking for change, for something shiny, new, and exciting. In a year that lacked colorful, unique experiences, we looked to our homes to provide us with something that could exhilarate us. Many of us were left disappointed.

If you’ve fallen into an HGTV rabbit hole over the past year, and are worried that you can’t shake up the look and feel of your home without giving in to an expensive renovation, think again. We have a gameplan for you to refresh your home after a year of social distancing - without completely breaking the bank.

3 Quick Changes That Will Work in Any Home

If you just need a general refresh, there are three actions you can take in any style of home to make an impact.

Put on a fresh coat of paint

Paint has the power to make a statement in a room, or simply complement your other design choices. If you’re feeling that your home needs to be elevated, or you’re itching for a complete switch up, consider heading to your local paint store. We’re fond of bold, warm tones, but can be swayed by a comforting neutral that reflects the light in your home to add a bit of brightness. Once you’ve chosen a paint color, set aside a weekend to paint the areas of your home that feel dull or dreary. It’s not only a great way to refresh your home, but also an incredible bonding activity for the family, and a relatively easy DIY.

Commit to a deep clean

Sometimes, the problem isn’t your home - it’s all of the things you’ve filled it with. It’s easy for dust to accumulate, clutter to assemble itself into piles, and mail to stack up on the counter when you don’t have guests or events to clean up in preparation for. Spend a bit of time scrubbing down your floors, cabinets, and even your walls, and purge pieces that aren’t making your home a happy place to be. You’ll feel lighter, and likely have a different attitude toward staying in when your home is clean and curated.

Bring in a plant or fresh flowers

Finally, little can’t be solved by a fresh bouquet of flowers or a new houseplant. Adding a living piece of decor (in a vase that fits your style to a t) makes any room feel vibrant. If you’re drawn to this tip, think about setting aside a little bit of cash each month to treat yourself to a new arrangement. We love this quick and easy way of supporting local florists and greenhouses so much that we’ve even started gifting plants and florals to our friends and family as a pick-me-up.

Room By Room: Let’s Refresh

With the more general tips out of the way, let’s dive into the rooms that are the most likely offenders for feeling drab after a year of social distancing. No matter which area of your home feels out of sync, we have a few ideas that can help you bring them back into rhythm.

Entryway or Mudroom

This area of your home is a prime place for clutter to pile up, especially during colder months here in Wisconsin. Coats and boots, mittens and hats - they all seem to find a home here on a chair, a hook, or even on the floor. Start with a quick declutter here, only keeping the most necessary items.

Then, think about adding some visual impact. Could you add a piece of original art to make this area feel intentional? Could the lighting be changed to feel more inviting? You don’t want to add more to this space as much as you want to keep it from becoming an eyesore. Perhaps painting your front door would add some interest?

Living room

If you’ve spent the majority of your time here over the last year, we can’t blame you for finding it sorely lacking for aesthetic appeal. This room is likely occupied by many pieces of furniture, and we recommend that you experiment with the layout if you’re feeling stifled.

Try grouping two similar chairs together on one side of the room, with a sofa on the other to create a gathering space centered around a coffee table. Or, use a long couch to divide an otherwise open concept into a clear living space that feels cozy instead of cold. Layer blankets on the backs of seats and armchairs to hide less beautiful features and add texture and pattern to your living room. These quick changes will have you feeling like you’ve moved into a brand new home, full of possibilities.

Kitchen

Home renovation shows would have us believe that kitchens are not lovely unless they are pure white with shiny subway tile backsplash and open shelving. We tend to have a different opinion.

Embrace the unique aspects of your kitchen to give it some new life. If your cabinet color has you saying, “Been there, done that,” think about switching up your wall color to complement it. New cabinet hardware can also revive your opinion of this common community room. In a pinch, we like to prop a cookbook with beautiful imagery up on a book stand, or display art on a countertop corner to style the space. Adding a vintage runner in front of your sink can also add visual interest with a focus on comfort.

Dining room

Be honest, how many times have you used your dining room over the past year? If the answer is, “Often, but as a dumping ground for all of the packages from my online shopping habit,” we can relate. Let’s turn it around.

Dining tables are a prime place for a bit of styling action, as they are often saved for special occasions. Add tapered candles with varying heights on vintage candlesticks to add a bit of romance and formality to your table, or create a floral arrangement as your centerpiece. Take a look at your dining chairs as well - could reupholstering the seats help them fit your vision for your home? This is a relatively beginner-level project, and one that we’d recommend if you’re looking for a major update.

Bedroom

Most of the time, if we’re getting bored with our bedroom design, all we need to do is switch out the bedding. Choosing new sheets, or adding a duvet in a bold pattern or color can be all you need to make your bedroom a place of comfort again.

The elevated version of this refresh would be to rearrange your furniture feng shui style to better utilize your space, or, better yet, add a new piece like a handcrafted nightstand, vintage reading lamp, or a bench where you can sit to put on shoes or stack a curated assortment of coffee table books for a beauty-over-function take.

Bathroom

Bathrooms are one of the more difficult rooms to refresh, as so many of the design elements are integrated through the construction phase and would require a bit of renovation expertise in order to update.

Here’s where you can make an impact on a low budget: paint, art, and textiles. Try switching up your wall or cabinet color with a coat of a new, bold color. You can easily change it back if you decide it’s not up your street! Add statement art above your tub or a small print near your vanity for a vintage feel. This might be the time to switch out shower curtains, or even bath mats. We have lately become enamored with small patterned rugs or slatted wood platforms in place of cushioned mats.

One year into social distancing, you may be feeling stir crazy. A quick change in design can help you refresh your home with little effort, and give you the energy you need to stay home, stay safe, and stay healthy until the world can get back to normal. Have more tips for how to switch up your space? Tag us in a photo of your project on Instagram and we just might feature you in our Stories!

How to Refresh Your Home After a Year of Social Distancing