Decorating Diva: Give your home an instant upgrade for the New Year

Jan 02, 2013

Jessica Padykula is a freelance writer and editor in Toronto, Canada covering a wide range of topics for several online lifestyle publications. She is a regular contributor for SheKnows, covering travel, style, relationships, health and...

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5 Fast and easy face-lift ideas

Welcome to Decorating Diva, where every week we share fresh, fun ways to update your home and spice up your living space! It's a new year and a new start, which is the ideal time to freshen up every room. We're sharing our tips for giving your home a noticeable face-lift without much fuss or stress.

Hang some new art

Art fatigue can happen after a number of years with the same pieces adorning your walls. Even if what hangs in various rooms represents artists you adore, changing things up can instantly breathe new life into your space. But art can be expensive, you say. It definitely can, but what you hang doesn't have to come from a gallery. Getting creative allows you to save money and showcase something unique.

Create a collage from old (or new) family photos.
Frame a large map of where you've been or where you want to go.
Hang a collection of antique plates (perfect for the kitchen).
Wallpaper you love but don't want to use on a large wall can easily be cut to size and framed.
Blow up your favorite recent travel photo for an homage to a place you fell for.
Colorfully framed mirrors grouped together make for an eye-catching and playful display.

Play with pattern

Patterns are a great way to add interest to a room and update any neutral surface. Don't be afraid to mix and match patterns either for a look that's a little bohemian and filled with color. For this year and the coming season, choose geometric patterns, florals, stripes and animal prints (think prints featuring actual animals versus leopard, etc.). Pillows, throws, ottomans and even wallpaper or decals are all easy ways to introduce new patterns into your space without spending a fortune.

Brighten up with unique lights

You might not think so, but floor lamps can make a statement in a room that needs a piece that stands out from the rest of the furniture. Not to mention, a statement-making lamp is an effortless way to update a room that needs to be refreshed. Some we're currently coveting include this curved floor lamp from CB2 with a pop of bright orangey-red at the top ($299). We also love this modern art-inspired floor lamp with handcrafted iron base in stylish swirling design from Horchow ($475).

Add some unexpected accessories

As we move into a new year, take this opportunity to go beyond plain pillows and glass bowls and add some unique accents to your home. From designer magnets that do more than just hold your kids' art to the fridge, to vases that make more of a statement than the blooms they hold, we suggest scouting accessories that really get noticed. Two of our favorite places to peruse home decor items that go beyond the norm are Uncommon Goods and MoMa Store but you should also check out vintage stores, garage sales and local artisans in your hometown.

Take a more minimalist approach

This last item doesn't involve any shopping, but it does involve some serious purging of things that hinder versus enhance the overall look and feel of your home. This year, one of the best things you can do to refresh your space is to de-clutter. Package all the items you no longer love, or the ones that just seem to collect dust (from trinkets to kitchen gadgets) and either give them to friends, donate or have a yard sale to eliminate the extra clutter. By taking a more minimalist approach, you'll be giving your home a much cleaner, fresher, more streamlined look.