These 4 Simple Steps Will Refresh Your Home

It may be the longer days, the warmer weather, the easing of lockdowns, but if you want to give your home a bit of a refresh, here are four easy ways to lift its look and feel.

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1. Mix It Up | One of my favourite ways to freshen things up is to move stuff around, to provide a new perspective and shift energy. I personally love moving my artwork around and hanging pieces in different rooms to create a completely different ambience. Try grouping a few favourite objects together to create a vignette or change up existing displays for a fresh look. You can also move around your ornaments, photos, indoor plants and artworks. Keep in mind that both symmetry and groups of three create a calming effect. 

Also have think about your floor plan. How you move through space has both a physical and psychological impact. Think about the flow of the room. Arrange your furniture to create spaces that encourage conversation and, with the warmer weather approaching, give yourself either an outlook on, or access to, the outdoors.  

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2. Keep It Light | One of the biggest mood boosters is sunlight, so bring as much natural light into your home as you can.  Is it time to ditch those heavy curtains and replace them with soft, linen sheers?  Placing mirrors can help reflect natural light into your home; in dark spaces, use warm white lighting as it best mimics the glow of sunshine. Brighten your space and walls with a coat of paint. Just make sure it’s the right white for your space so that it doesn’t feel too cold and stark.

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3. Colour Me Happy | Colour is another great way to lift your spirits or provide a sense of calm.  Think about the colours that make you feel good – if you’re stuck, take look at your wardrobe to see the colours you enjoy wearing. Just remember that with colour, a little can go a long way, and small doses can still make a big impact.  The easiest ways to inject some colour into your space is with cushions or throws, or even plants.   

Textures also cue different moods, so as it heats up put away the heavier throws and velvet cushions and introduce natural textures such as linen, jute, timber and rattan to bring on some summery vibes.

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4. Go Green | Not only do plants add life to your space, they help purify the air and increase oxygen levels. They are a great way to bring the outdoors in and create that pop of colour in a room. Place a lush green plant in a beautiful pot in the corner of your living room, or some trailing plants on a bookcase.  If you don’t have the greenest of thumbs, a vase of freshly cut leaves or bunch of fresh flowers is a great alternative. I love to have a pot with a few phalaenopsis orchids on display – they make a great impact and last for weeks (sometimes even months!) without too much attention. 

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Anna McMillan is the principal at interior design studio McMillan Design
Photos_ Fiona Galbraith (1,2,3) + Jacqui Turk (4)

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