As the New Year draws ever closer, it’s high time for many of us to begin thinking about parts of our lifestyle which need a bit of TLC for the beginning of a new era. A new hair style may be on the agenda or an overdue rummage through the clothes gathered at the back of your wardrobe may be in order. But, have you considered deviating from the old and discoloured carpet in your lounge to a modern, wooden alternative?
Changes - small or large - in your home can be remarkably uplifting. Not only will they satisfy your cravings for progress and adventure, renovating your home can change your mood, improve comfort and offer you more aesthetic pleasure from the everyday space around you.
It pays to do some research on the restoration you had in mind as home renovation is a bigger task than spring cleaning your wardrobe. So, to help you make a head start, here are a few of our favourite suggestions for upgrading your home in 2017.
#1. LIGHTS - Lighting provides more than simply ‘offering light’. The colour, tone, format and wattage has a profound effect on the mood and ambiance of a room. Skylights are a great way to flood a room with natural light, whilst pendant lights are striking centerpieces. Lamps create cozy corners and standing lights open dark corners. Go for softer lighting to make your home feel warmer and experiment with materials for a more unique look. We predict that industrialized styles such as brass metal and steampunk designs will be a great hit for hanging lights, whereas unusually designed corner lamps infused with iron will take center stage.
#2. TEXTILES - Curtains are an essential part of your décor which allows you to experiment with the design and aesthetics of the room you are updating. The choices are limitless as you can explore an array of different patterns, fabrics, lengths, rods and colour. The variables are endless. Light curtains will keep that open, airy feel from the window and make the room feel bigger and lighter, whilst dark heavy curtains can add luxury and inject a feel of historic elegance. Vertical designs will make the room feel taller as it draws the eye upward, so consider muted patterns and plaids if you’re ceilings are quite low.
#3. MIRRORS - Mirrors are a brilliant way of opening up a room. They seem to add a whole other dimension, creating the illusion of double space and depth. You can tuck them away in wardrobes and cupboards if space is tight, or you can use a large mirror as a centerpiece for maximum effect. A well-placed mirror can work wonders, just experiment with it and make sure to choose a design in time with the style of the room you have chosen to place it in.
#4. COLOUR -The colours of a room will dominate the overall mood of the space, so think carefully about experimentation. Light coloured walls will expand a room whilst dark colours close in the room, so think about the space that you have. Is it small and dark and needs to be brightened up? Or do you want to make a space feel more intimate and cozy? Off-whites, pale blues and pastel greens can be good ways to subtly add colour to brighten up the appearance of your room. However, the effectiveness of this method can be subject to change depending on the amount of light which enters the room and the direction of which the light is coming from. Do explore colour and texture by adding a feature wall which highlights visual interest. Colours such as grey lilac and honey yellow are set to create a storm for this coming year.
#5. FLOOR - It might not be top of your list but you should never underestimate the power of good quality flooring. If you’re really going all out then a mezzanine floor could be a cost effective, fun addition to your home that will add space, be it storage or sleeping. But make sure you know what the building requirements are first. Wooden floors are easy to clean, versatile and long-lasting, adding luxury and comfort to any room. Ensure the colour you opt for matches your new chosen palette and direction across your interiors to complement the overall design.
#6. DOORS - Doors are another aspect of a room that can often be overlooked. However, small
tweaks made can completely modernise your home and ensure that you won’t be forgetting your doors the next time you come around to an alteration overhaul. For instance, update the door handles and hinges to shiny new metal models to add a sleek and contemporary feel to the place. The right paneling will complete a room’s mood and style and in colours such as walnut and rosewood and are set to appear popular in the New Year. Archways can be a good space saving option if there’s limited room for a door swing or French doors which provide wide access between rooms in your home.
#7. SHELVING - If space is tight, shelves should be your first port of call. Alcove shelving is a fantastic solution to making the most out of tight corners and small space that has, up until now, been neglected. You can essentially de-clutter any space by installing some solid oak shelves to hold all your books and ornaments. Floating shelves are modern and unfussy and look great in a rustic, dark wood design, whilst supported shelves are going to be stronger and potentially more space consuming, so think about what you can compromise on.
Whatever your plan is, start with a budget. How much are you willing to spend and how much time and effort can you give? Decide what you want to improve on and then what is most important. It doesn’t need to be expensive; small changes can create big effects. If you need a little more help with your renovations or need some advise please contact us on 0208 133 0702 or at enquiries@createperfect.co.uk.