If you find yourself getting bored of your interior, you can implement some small changes to transform a room and your living space.
Curtains
Don’t be afraid to go for long curtains, even if you’ve got a small room. They’ll give the impression of a heightened ceiling and even of a bigger window. Take a look at this for instance:
This illustration also demonstrates where the curtain pole should go. Don’t make the mistake of putting it too close to the window frame. Measure it before you order your curtains, otherwise your curtains will either be dragging on the floor, or a couple of inches too short.
Artwork
It’s so easy for walls to look bare. Lack of artwork will also make your room feel empty, even if you have lots of furniture and other accessories.
Artwork should be placed at a height of 57” from the floor to the centre of the piece. This is supposed to be an average eye level. It means you’ll stop putting your artwork too high or low, which can look out of place.
Read this great article from Apartment Therapy about how to not mess hanging artwork up.
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Lighting
One ‘big light’ in the middle of the room works, but for a better aesthetic, choose lots of smaller lamps. Put them in the corners of the room, on end tables, etc. It makes the room feel cosier yet bigger at the same time.
Rugs
I love a rug, but so many people get their sizing wrong. Yet another illustration to make your rug look amazing, and buy the right size!
Either all or most of the feet of the furniture need to be on the rug. If you’re getting a rug for your dining room, all the feet need to be on the rug, even when you pull the chairs out to sit on. That’s an important point, hence it is in bold. This is a great small changes to transform a room, as it adds new texture and depth, especially if you have one large area of wooden flooring.
To me this just looks wrong:
But THIS:
….is spot on.
Plants
Plants are all ‘in’ at the minute. They’re appearing hanging from people’s ceilings, on their bathroom window sills and chilling on bookshelves. Not only do they add some colour to a room, but they’re actually great for a healthy house. They improve the air quality so you can sleep better and be more productive.
Plants that like damp environments are aloe-vera, orchids, and ferns, so these are ideal for the bathroom.
In my new house, I have none of the above. We’ve currently got a pair of curtains masking taped to the window in the living room. The kitchen diner doesn’t even have that, but it’s not too bad because the back of our house is quite private.
We’ve obviously got some lighting, but our main light in the living room is a temporary single spot light, until I find one I like. Our landing doesn’t have any wall lights, because I can’t find any that I like. Maybe I’m just fussy, but I don’t want to buy something for the time being, to have to get rid of it in two months’ time.
These small changes to transform a room are all relatively cheap, and easy steps that you can use to make a difference in your home.
Is there anything else you’d add to the list that you’ve tried before? Let me know!
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Sarah is the creator and founder of Dream of Home, a website that began during Sarah’s first home renovation project. Since then, the site has grown and Sarah produces content around all things home, including home decor, DIY projects, renovation tips, inspiration and more. In her spare time, she loves to read and garden.
I have a built in 6ft cupboard in my living room ( it has 2 narrow doors to it. Unfortunately it is not in the centre of the wall it is on! The longest wall right angles to the window! I dntvnow wat to do with it! I cant create a fireplace as its not centre! The cupboard is 2ft in depth! I cannot arrange furniture easily around it. I have 2 fairly small black leather sofa. Which I cannot afford to replace atm. I am 64 and can only manage small DIYjobs. I wish I cud send a photo! Anyway, ” the off centre built in cupboard is the main problrem! If u have any suggestions I wud very grateful for ur expert advice. Thanx. Hilary Taylor ex forces + oap!
Author
Hi Hilary, thanks for your comment! It’s hard to say without seeing it. Is it possible to add another built in unit that sits underneath where the wall tapers down to the window? Alternatively, you may be able to buy a slim unit that fits in. You might also want to try something that could take your focus away from the cupboard that’s off centre. To do this, you need to make another part of the room the focal point. Would that be possible?
Hi Sarah,
Some good tips posted above! I need to some help to add some colour to my mainly monochrome & metallic home (bought 2 yrs ago as I had a new baby so we didn’t get a chance to decorate). I have a long lounge which doesn’t get much light and wanted to opt for a very dark green or black back wall opposite the window and by the off white corner sofa which takes up the whole wall space and want to add accent dark greens. I’m completely stuck whether to take the plunge or not or paint the whole length of the narrow room which could close it up even more. I’ve recently started playing with new layout as replaced the old black 3 & 2 seaters to open up the floor space and add light.
Author
People often think that painting a small room dark will make it feel smaller but this isn’t always the case! I’ve just painted our bedroom dark blue and absolutely love it. But don’t forget that adding colour doesn’t need to make the room dark – you can add light colours like blush pink or a light sage green.