HOME improvement does not always mean buying new furniture or replacing the flooring.
A cheaper way to update the look of a room is to use home accesories like pillows, rugs, mirrors and lamps. A colourful pillow on the couch, for example, will brighten up a dull living room.
But first, do some housekeeping. Mr Kenny Chia, visual merchandiser at the retailer Courts, says it’s important to remove the clutter in the house to get more space.
Push the furniture against the wall, he suggests.
“This way, you know how much space you have to work with and it will also help your treasured objects or accent pieces be emphasised rather than lost.” Mr Chia says “less is more” sometimes.
For example, one can create an alcove in the living room by working with a simple recliner and a small table, with a vase as a centrepiece.
Mirrors come in handy. They add colour and reflect light in a room, and they can help make small rooms look larger.
To dress up the study, Mr Chia suggests using a sofa bed as the accent piece. This gives the homeowner the option of converting the area into a guestroom.
The lighting in the house also plays a major role in setting the mood and ambience. “Try to have at least one or two mood lighting pieces around the house,” says Mr Chia. “Reading lights are essential for study tables, and halogen lights can help to bring out a room’s focal point, for example, an art piece or curtains.”
For the bedroom, place extra cushions and pillows of various sizes on the bed to create an inviting look and feel, or consider an upholstered bench at the end of the bed.
This “doubleduty” furnishing is a perfect place to put extra bedding or clothing and serves as a decorative element.
Placing flowers in the home is a great idea, and plants add texture to a room. Plants work especially well in the bathroom, making it appear less cold and clinical.
Besides fittings such as space-saving washbasins and modern shower systems, use shower curtains, towels in rich colours and fancy guest soaps to add a touch of class.
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
