Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize
To give an old outfit a new look, many times you can just change the accessories. The same is true for any room of your house. From rearranging your furniture, to hanging pictures, to displaying collectibles, you can have a new look and fresh feel without spending money on new things. June Price, ASID, is an interior designer and owner of Anew Design, a revitalization company that specializes in one-day home makeovers. “One of the biggest mistakes people make with their accessories is that they purchase things that are too small, especially when they’re on trips and vacations,” she says. “So you have to group these smaller things together in odd numbers to give them better scale and balance so they don’t look lonely by themselves.”

Built-in bookshelves
Sometimes, something as simple as custom bookshelves can make a dramatic change in a room. After all, when they’re built right, they can instantly become the focal point of the room. That’s exactly the case with these custom shelves built by Rick Gosk, owner of Custom Wood Cabinets. The homeowners wanted to brighten and update the space, but they also needed extra storage to hide their children’s toys. The red birch cabinets and wainscot over the brick fireplace façade also helped brighten the space tremendously.

Cabinet facelift
The kitchen is the room in the house most often improved, but it’s also the most expensive. That high cost can oftentimes scare homeowners away from making changes. But you don’t have to gut the space to give it a new look. Allen Apple, owner of Kitchen Fronts of Georgia, specializes in giving cabinets a quick and easy facelift. By simply replacing the old doors and drawer fronts of this Roswell kitchen with new maple ones, and re-facing the existing cabinet structure to match the maple, the homeowners ended up with a truly modern space. To top off the look, the couple installed new stainless-steel appliances, and used roof flashing for a one-of-a-kind backsplash.

Fireside warmth
It’s a given that if a room has a fireplace, it is going to be the focal point. But if your fireplace or mantel is outdated, that look can detract from the style of the room. Luckily, there are several ways to transform your fireplace. For example, Steve Patterson, owner of Living Metamorphosis, removed the 70s-style veneer chimney and firebox in his own family room. For the new look, he framed out the space above the mantel and a doorway to the left of the fireplace. That gave him the space to install a much wider stacked Tennessee fieldstone surround. “It helps the room feel much bigger and not so tall and narrow,” Patterson says. John Muenier, of Mantels by Muenier, also specializes in fireplaces. In this project, he simply added Sheetrock and marble over the existing brick façade, then installed a custom-made cherry mantel. The new marble surround helped lighten the space and gave the room an entirely new look.

Faux paint/murals
Do you have that one wall in your house that has the blahs? Faux painting is a great way to mimic marble, wood, plaster, or just a new finish to give a wall depth without wallpaper. There are various techniques of faux painting, including ragging or sponging (using a rag or sponge to apply glazes) or marbleizing (replicating the look of marble). For a more realistic touch, try a mural like this one by artist Kay Hughes of the Knott Garden. Here, the homeowners wanted to put a sparkle in an otherwise busy and dingy hallway that leads to the backyard. The mural of inviting skies and climbing vines puts zest and color that is also enjoyed all the way to the dining room and kitchen.

Treat your windows
The right window treatments can make a dramatic statement in any room of the house. They are ideal for making a room appear more formal, accenting color or themes, and providing privacy. Best of all, you can choose from custom draperies, blinds, sheers or plantation shutters to achieve the exact look you want.

Architectural accents
Sometimes, one small architectural accent like wainscot, chair railing, crown molding or a ceiling medallion can make a huge difference in a home by adding decorative style. This homeowner wanted to take their existing doorframe and do something exciting with it. They decided to widen the door, and enhance the opening with columns and ornamental molding, transforming it from mundane to magnificent.

Counter argument
There’s no debating that an old counter can make the entire room look outdated. Finishing Touches Interiors took this older marble sink and replaced it with modern tile. The chiseled tile and darker grout is perfect for adding a little zing to boring bathroom tile, while still remaining functional. After changing the faucet and adding a ceramic sink, this bathroom got a new lease on life.

The right ideas
Let’s face it. Just about all of our homes could benefit from a makeover, but how do you know what small change can make the biggest impact on your home?
First, consider your needs. Are you looking for ways to remove clutter from your family room, or do you just want add some details to your bedroom or bath?
It’s also important to take note of your family’s living habits. If everyone spends most of their time in the family room, focus on finding the right way to enhance that favorite space.

You can also peruse books and magazines for simple ideas on improving your home. Why go through the trouble of even minor construction when a fresh coat of paint and new drapes will do?
And finally, consult with a few interior designers to find out what simple things they recommend. After all, they’re trained experts and will probably have several ideas you may have never even considered.