When it comes to interior home decor, it's easy to get into a rut. Often, we're so used to our surroundings that we don't notice when things start to look a little worn or dreary. Over time, a certain malaise can set in. It's not that we're unhappy with our homes; rather, it's that our living spaces no longer trigger the sparks of contentment and feelings of refuge that they once did. Happily, it doesn't have to be difficult or costly to do a little home improvement and spruce up our home decor. Here are five ideas to get you started.



1. A Fresh Coat of Paint

A fresh coat of paint costs very little, takes only a day or two of time, and can quickly bring light and airiness to your home. Quick tip: If you're considering a major change in color, paint a cardboard square that color and hang it up on the wall for a day or two in order to get a feel for what the color will look like at various times of the day and evening.

2. Screens and Room Dividers

Over the last decade, many homes have been built with great rooms that flow from the foyer to the living room, dining room, and kitchen. While many people embrace this kind of open architecture, others feel that it robs living space of intimacy. For an inexpensive way to divide rooms, look to privacy screens. Known as shoji screens in Japan, these screens are typically four feet tall and have two, three, or four panels. They serve to create smaller, cozier spaces within a larger room, and their portability enables you to rearrange them periodically to bring a fresh look to your dining or living room.

3. Lighting

The fastest way to change the mood of your home decor is to change the lighting. If you have overhead lights, switch to wall sconces. If your dining room needs a pick-me-up, install a new chandelier. Re-lighting a bathroom can have a dramatic impact, as can adding table lamps to end tables in the living room.

4. Create More Space

If your living quarters are small or simply cluttered, there are many interior home decor techniques you can use to make the space seem larger. For example, use nesting tables to conserve space in your living room and buy a coffee table with a lid or drawers that add storage space. Similarly, baskets can be both decorative and functional, giving you a place to put your magazines, craft supplies, or even your table linens.

5. State Your Style

You can easily add your own personal flavor to a room by implementing a theme. Whether your tastes run to Shabby Chic, Cape Cod, Southwestern, or Mediterranean, you can begin to incorporate pieces that reflect your aesthetic. Carry the style through with throw rugs, decorative pillows, and artwork. Changing up fabric patterns, textures, and fabrications can quickly shift the mood of a room.

Freshening up your home doesn't require a lot of money; it just requires some imagination. So take home improvement to the next level by sprucing up a room or two. You'll feel invigorated and your home will once again feel like your refuge.