I can’t believe it, but we’re already in 2019! Just think about it, that’s the future… However, maybe your home is still stuck in the past. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with 5 amazing tips to help you update to the 21st century.  After all, New Year, new home right?  

Choose a new theme or artistic direction

A theme is a great place to start when it comes to a remodel, big or small. It will help guide your decision process and keep you on track when you start to feel overwhelmed or lost. Your theme could be anything from a color palette you enjoy to an artistic style of expression or even just a pattern you really like. What’s really important is that once you make up your mind on a theme, every choice you make after that should fit back into the theme.

When a theme comes together it should be subtle, but unavoidable. You know you’ve done a great job when your guest can’t even tell you planned it all, but complement your great taste.

Try out some new artwork

Building on the last point of a theme, artwork is a great way to dynamically shift the feel of a room. Artwork can support your theme or even be the theme if you have a strong enough piece. This is especially great for any room with a large wall that you might have been neglecting or under using. So take some time to find a painting, photo, or even a sculpture that you absolutely love and then think about how you wish to display it.

Bonus points if it really stands out in a positive way. This can be tricky without it clashing, but a bright spot in an otherwise white or low key room adds an amazing touch of sophistication.

Also, when hanging the art, think about the wall behind it as well. It will start to draw more attention just by its association. This is where your theme and color pallet comes back into play. And don’t be afraid to think outside the box on this and try different ideas like wall paneling made from real wood.

Go Green!

Go green in every sense! I have been championing the use of plants on this blog for a long time now and it is one of the most underused techniques I continue to see. A plant adds so much life and character to a room that it’s hard to imagine a properly designed space without any. In my opinion, this is as important, if not more, than artwork and you should be considering what plants you have/want when coming up with your theme.

However, plants aren’t the only green that I mean. You should also look for recycled and reusable materials when decorating. They are very stylish these days and a great conversation starter. Plus, it's always nice to feel like you have contributed to a better environment, even if it’s in a small way.

Further Reading: Our Commitment To Building A Greener Future

Don’t forget about lighting 

As I’m writing these it seems like each tip is more important than the last. You wouldn’t believe the amount of well-designed rooms I have seen ruined by bad lighting! A few simple touches can brighten up any gloomy area and bring new life to your home.

Properly lighting a room is a skill you have to learn, but one that is very much worth learning. Without proper lighting, all of your effort in designing your perfect room is wasted. It's a great way to improve any space.

Unfortunately, I don’t have space in this article to teach you everything you need to know… Thankfully, there is a great intro article on lighting that should help get you started and teach you the basics. Read it here.

Less is more...

For my final tip, I have chosen that of minimalism. Again, this is one that I find myself recommending more and more and it’s really starting to catch on. The age of the overstuffed couches has come to an end. Throw out those lazy boys and get rid of the clutter! You’re be amazed how much better your house feels with less stuff in it.

Now I have simplified this, but the truth is that it’s a lot harder than it sounds. However, like most points in this article, it requires some honest self-reflection and thought on what you really want in your home. I have no doubts that you can pull it off!

Thanks for reading and be sure to let me know what works for you in the comments below.