Whether you’re in a new home, have been there a while, are looking to sell, or are looking to buy, you can’t go wrong taking some small actions to improve the space where you live. When we show our homes some attention, even small changes can make a big difference! Here are some tips for how to show your home some love this Valentine’s weekend!
Do some decluttering
Pick a number (10, 25, 100, etc), and find that many items around your house that can be donated, tossed, or repurposed. There may be many unneeded, unwanted, or broken items that are taking up space and adding to the physical and mental clutter you experience at home. Clear them out and feel more relaxed and organized!
Clean
Choose a messy room, put on your favorite tunes, and get to work! Give it a good clean–from the floors to the doors to the ceiling fan. You’ll want to spend more time in your clean space. You can also spend a little time tidying up…a few minutes spent in each room will make your house feel loved and happy!
Scents
We adapt to the smells in our environment, but sometimes our homes have taken on some not-so-lovely scents that need clearing out. Track down any potential sources of sour smells (kitty litter, accumulated trash, old food in the fridge, dirty dishes) and address them. Then, put out a diffuser with some essential oils to freshen up the air and potentially help your health. Lighting a candle with an amazing scent can bring feelings of comfort or luxury to your house.
Plants or flowers
Adding plants breathes life into a space. Choose some mint to place near the kitchen window or a low-maintenance, air-purifying option to add to the living room. Not only do plants add oxygen to the air in your home, some plants clean toxins from your environment. If live plants are too much upkeep, many stores are offering beautiful, realistic-looking artificial plants that can provide the feeling of the real thing!
Light
Find a way to add more light to your home. Whether it’s simply opening up the shades, or adding a couple lamps or candles, letting the light in will make your house feel more fresh, peaceful, happy, and warm.
Rearrange
I once moved 3 bookcases from one room to another to complete a project. This was supposed to be a temporary move, but after I saw them placed in the new room (after 8 or so years in their previous home!), I realized they looked and felt much better in their new place! Look around your home to see if simply rearranging a few things will either work better in your space, or add some needed pizzazz and variety. One tip: Moving furniture away from the wall can actually open things up and make a space feel bigger.
Paint
For the more ambitious out there, consider refreshing a room in your house with new paint. We love the effect that a fresh coat of paint has on a room. It’s one of the most effective, yet simple renovation projects we can complete. You might want to keep it neutral and just make sure it looks clean and new, or you may be inspired to add your favorite color or an on-trend accent. When choosing a color, don’t forget to test it out and make sure it works in your home. Look at it during different times of the day and see what it looks like where you’ll actually be painting. Painting is definitely a fantastic way to show your home some love, but if painting is too much, add some colors you love with a throw, a pillow, or some art.
Friends and Family
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.” One of the greatest ways to show your house some love is to fill it with friends and family. Share your home and make great memories in it. Plus, you’ll probably get some cleaning or a project or two done before company comes, so that works too!
Show your home some love this Valentine’s weekend! You’ll be surprised how even small changes can make a big difference!
