Clever tricks to makeover your home in the time you have
Looking to makeover your home?
As a new year approaches, thoughts are no doubt turning to the DIY and makeover projects we’d like to achieve in our homes – particularly as many of us are itching for an interior refresh right now.
Recent research has revealed one in three homeowners are putting up with décor they don’t like -with almost half (48%) planning to spruce up their main living spaces over the next 12 months.
The study, of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Shutterly Fabulous, found that the living room and the kitchen are the rooms Brits feel are in the biggest need of a refresh, with respondents disliking almost a quarter of the interior design in these areas.
Despite the desire to do-over some of our spaces, it isn’t always easy finding the time to get things done, but experts say you can still make quite a difference to the design of your home depending on the window time-frame you have.
“Breaking down home makeover projects to fit the time you have is a helpful way to make progress without getting overwhelmed by too many tasks,” explains Molly Woodward-Moor, creative director, and interior designer at Stone Superstore.
Not only does time chunk refreshes reduce the stress of living in renovation limbo, it also eliminates the chaos of having unfinished projects in the corner of every room, and keeps the process manageable.
But knowing which projects to prioritise with each time frame can be tricky, especially when you want to see a complete result quickly.
The key, Molly says, is choosing different makeover task that fit well within the time available, so you can achieve a polished result that truly elevates your space.
From a quick micro-project you can ace in 30 minutes, to taking a few hours to re-style your shelves or an entire weekend to upgrade your flooring, these time-specific makeover ideas have the power to transform and brighten your home, no matter the minutes you have.
30-minute makeovers
Add in or rearrange accents
One quick way to instantly revamp your space is to rearrange your soft furnishings or add new accents into the mix.
“Small décor items like throw pillows, blankets, and accent pieces (e.g., vases, candles, small plants) can bring in fresh colours, textures, and styles,” explains Molly.
“Just a few changes can instantly give a room a new look and atmosphere without requiring any major decorating jobs. This creates an almost-instant transformation, which can be highly rewarding and a speedy task which can be done in half an hour.”
Additionally, rearranging items you already own, or purchasing just a few new accents makes this a budget-friendly option to refreshing a space.
“Since accents and soft furnishings are easy to change, they are perfect for seasonal makeovers,” Molly adds.
Zone your room
Lucy Henderson, head of design at My Bespoke Room suggests using your half an hour to zone your room.
“Start by adding a large rug to an area, adding texture, warmth, and even a pop of colour or pattern,” she explains.
“You could also refresh your sofa or bed with new cushions, or simply swap out cushion covers on existing cushions, for a quick colour change and add a cosy throw blanket to the mix for an extra touch of comfort.”
Change up your lighting
Lighting is the one of the key mood makers when decorating your home.
“If you feel that your lighting is too stark or bright all you need to do is change the type of bulbs you’re using,” Amthal Karim, head of design at Furniture And Choice says.
He recommends opting for yellow bulbs instead of white bulbs for a soft, ambient glow.
Sam Greig, head of design at Swoon, agrees good lighting can transform any space instantly.
“Mix things up by placing a few accent lamps in the corner of a room or use string lights for ambient lighting,” he suggests.
“Add a floor lamp or place a table lamp on a console to add depth and layers to the room.
“Dotting candles throughout a room will not only make it feel homey and cosy, but the inviting aroma also will also make the space feel more refined.”
Hang new mirrors
Does your home feel dark? According to Amthal hanging mirrors throughout your home will lighten up your space.
“Be specific with where you would place the mirrors such as near windows to reflect the natural light or to make a small room feel bigger,” he suggests.
”Take into consideration the height and size of your mirrors versus the size of your space,” he adds.
“The placement of the mirrors is also important as vertical mirrors make a room feel taller while horizontal mirrors make the room feel wider.”
Get some expert help
Interior design company My Bespoke Room is offering a new 30 minute express service to chat to one of their designers and gain some expert advice to plan upcoming interior refreshes.
“During this time, we can help with a range of design dilemmas like choosing the perfect paint colour, showing you how to layer lighting beautifully to create a cosy feel or guiding you to the perfect statement light fixture,” explains interior designer, Olivia Boardman.
“We can also share tips on adding decor finishes, like how to accessorise with artwork or rugs for a touch of texture and personality without overcrowding the space,” she continues.
“And offer ideas for maximising your home’s space with clever storage solutions like shelving, baskets, or furniture with hidden compartments to keep clutter at bay.
“30 minutes may sound short, but with a designer’s eye on your space, you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make!”
1-2 hour makeovers
Rearrange and refresh your furniture
If you have a spare couple of hours to give a space some TLC rearranging slightly larger pieces of furniture can add a new flow and energy to a space.
“Moving furniture around can completely change how a space feels and functions,” Molly advises.
“For example, angling a sofa differently or shifting a TV stand or armchair can make a room feel more, open, cosy, or balanced.
“This is a small but significant change and can alter the room’s flow without requiring extra furniture or cost.”
Before rearranging your furniture, Amthal suggests first determining the natural flow of your space like where people usually gather round or the direction of where you would usually walk.
“This will make it easier to decide on where to place your furniture and make the most of your space,” he advises.
If you have got a budget, swapping out smaller furniture pieces such as a coffee table, a lamp, or side table can be a great way to make a room feel updated.
“These changes allow you to experiment with style, along with creating new focal points and refreshing a room’s look instantly,” Molly explains.
\“Rearranging and swapping out décor items can be completed in a couple of hours, allowing for a satisfying transformation without a long-term commitment, allowing you to appreciate the space you have in a new way.”
Try some colour-blocking
If you have a couple of hours to spare, Lucy suggests colour-blocking a section of wall in a room to create a more defined area, such as a cosy nook for a desk, dressing table, or bed.
Go for a winter clean
Whilst a ‘traditional’ makeover of a room includes updating the interiors of the space, giving a room a thorough cleaning – dusting surfaces, wiping down windows, and polishing reflective surfaces can enhance the room’s brightness and cleanliness.
“Cleaning windows, mirrors, and other shiny surfaces can help them reflect more light, making a space feel bigger and more vibrant,” Molly explains.
Furthermore, tackling tasks such as grout lines in the bathroom, where mould and mildew build up is common, can make a space feel brand new.
“On top of cleaning these areas, grout line pens are a fantastic, quick solution for refreshing tile surfaces without the time or cost involved in fully re-grouting, covering up discolouration and minor imperfections,” Molly shares.
“The pens are easy to use and don’t require any special skills or tools – just draw over grout lines.
“They also dry quickly, making it possible to refresh your bathroom or kitchen without you having to wait hours to use the area again.”
Full day makeovers
Paint an accent wall
Painting an accent wall can be a great one-day project because it is achievable in a few hours and also dramatically changes the room’s look and feel.
“It’s one of the quickest ways to create a new mood or introduce a pop of colour to a space,” Molly explains.
“Smaller bathrooms or hallways are also a perfect space for a one-day paint refresh, as they are compact and can usually be completed in less time.”
Restyle your shelves
Styling areas of the home can be an effective task to complete in a day.
“Shelving and bookcases are often areas that become easily cluttered over time,” explains Molly.
“Take a day to rearrange items by grouping them by colour, size, or theme for a more curated look.”
Molly suggests adding in plants, fresh new artwork, or decorative objects for visual interest.
“A well styled shelving area can help make a space more visually interesting, as well as providing practical storage options,” she adds.
Switch up your hardware
Swapping out hardware and fixtures such as cabinet handles, draw pulls, and light fixtures can be a quick way to give a bedroom or kitchen a modern update with minimal effort.
“Classic brass, or sleek matte black is especially popular at the moment, creating a refined space,” Molly suggests.
Before starting on this project Amthal suggests measuring your door knobs and make sure you have all the tools you need like a screwdriver, measuring tape and replacement handles.
Weekend makeovers
Shop then flatpack
Weekends are ideal for shopping for and assembling larger furniture pieces.
“Whether it’s a new bookcase, bed frame, or dining set, dedicating the weekend allows you to carefully select the right items, transport them home, and assemble them without rushing,” Molly recommends.
“This focused time lets you achieve a significant transformation, turning a room into a refreshed, functional, and welcoming space by the end of the weekend.”
Style a gallery wall
Artwork (no matter what style) can brighten up the home and liven up the space.
“Choose the specific wall where you want to hang your artwork and figure out the arrangement of your paintings,” advises Amthal.
“Do you prefer symmetrical or asymmetrical style arrangement? You can also choose a specific theme for your artwork such as a colour palette, photographs, or scenery.”
Sam says large, eye-catching artwork or mirrors add depth and interest quickly.
“For a quick upgrade in any room, hang one or two oversized pieces — choose either bold, abstract art or serene landscapes to set the mood of the space,” he says.
Paint your front door
Make a style statement with your front door by switching up the hue.
“Sand and prime your door before painting the door in the colour of your choice,” Amthal says.
“Besides painting you can also update the door knob, knocker, or number to make your entrance feel brand new.”
Interior designer, Milena Vallier says you could also consider replacing the house number, adding a unique feature door knocker, and laying down a new welcome mat.
“Some potted plants on either side of the door will add charm and make a great first impression,” she adds.
Tackle an upcycling project
A weekend is the perfect time to take on a meaty upcycling project like giving a sideboard, dining table, or even built-in cabinetry a new lease of life.
“A bold coat of paint and fresh handles can truly elevate a piece and make it feel brand new,” explains Lucy.
Refresh tired tiles
By painting them! “Replacing tiles can be a time-consuming and costly task, but painting them with specialised tile paint is a quicker, budget-friendly alternative that can transform the look of your kitchen or bathroom,” explains Milena.
If you have a full week
Paint an entire room
A full week provides ample time to take on a complete top-to-bottom modernisation of an entire room.
“This timeframe allows for detailed projects like repainting an entire space, including the ceiling, walls, and trim, giving the room a seamless, fresh look,” Molly says.
Before starting, Amthal recommends choosing your paint colours.
“Place swatches in the specific room to see how it looks depending on the lighting and what the undertone looks like,” he advises.
“It’s also a good idea to think about how the colours look like depending on the time of day – do they look darker or lighter?
Depending on what vibe you want to set for the room this is a factor to take into account.”
Upgrade your floors
Upgrading your flooring in a space, whether by installing new tiles, luxury vinyl, or refinishing existing hardwood will help elevate the room’s foundation and overall style.
Revamp a key area
With the right tools and materials, Molly says it is possible to revamp your entire kitchen or bathroom space.
“In the kitchen, refreshing the backsplash, painting or refinishing cabinets, and updating cabinet hardware can transform the look and feel of the space,” she explains.
“For the bathroom, changing out fixtures, installing a new vanity unit, or upgrading lighting can bring a modern, refreshed feel.
These projects are achievable within a week and offer high-impact updates that make the room look and feel completely new.”
Strip and repaint your staircase
If you live in a period home and want to get rid of your staircase carpeting, this is the project for you.
One, caveat, however is that the timeframe for this will depend on the size and the state of your staircase.
Amthal recommends peeling back the layers to see what the damage is before starting as this will help to determine how much work needs to be done before starting to paint.
“You may also need to prep the wood by dusting the staircase and sanding your stairs,” he adds.
Looking for more interiors inspiration? Take a look at ‘Ugly’ interiors trend: 9 ways to adopt the ‘jolie-laide’ look into your home or 8 ways to embrace Godfather interiors
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