Affordable stylish ideas for a fresh look

Are you tired of your dated, dull or well-worn interior? If so, you may want to consider an update. Fortunately, there are many ways to create a new look without breaking the bank. Use the following ideas to create a fresh look by combining some of your existing furnishings with a few new or lightly-used pieces to achieve the atmosphere you desire.

Painted furniture.

This trend has come and gone and come around again. That’s excellent news for creating a whole new look without the expense of all new furniture. Popular painted styles include the worn look, matte finishes and ceruse style. Colors range from newly popular earth tones and muted hues to bright and bold color palettes.

Mix patterns.

At one time, this was a strict no-no, but it’s become increasingly popular. There are several tricks to make it work, though. Use a large, medium and small pattern to bring mixed patterns together without conflict. Also, use patterns in odd numbers. For example, rather than 2 or 4 different patterns, use 3 or 5. Be sure to balance the patterns throughout the room rather than cramming them all in one area.

Earthy is in.

Warm earth tones are back this year and cool is out. For a larger room, you could paint it in a darker earthy shade. For smaller rooms, choose lighter warm shades of paint. White window casings and doors are also out. So consider stained wood, a color that complements the walls, or the same color as the walls.

Mix and match furniture.

Nothing says boring more than a living room full of matched seating and ottomans. Create contrast with complementary colors and patterns. If your sofa is solid beige, try adding a chair with a red, beige and brown pattern.

Combine styles.

Gone are the days when everything in a room had to be of a singular style. Today, people are combining two or three of their favorite styles to create character and uniqueness. It’s merely a matter of choosing the right pieces from different styles that complement each other.

Minimal is more.

The decor is essential to any room. It adds personality and creates intrigue. But if overdone, decor can feel overwhelming and make it difficult to notice anything.

Avoid “fast furniture.”

The era of throwing a room together with cheap, disposable furniture is over, and for obvious reasons. Opt instead for quality pieces that will last and add value to a room. If the cost of new quality furniture isn’t in your budget, watch Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and second-hand stores for like-new quality pieces at a fraction of the cost.

Mix metallics.

People commonly use only gold or silver tones in a room. But the two combined can be very attractive.

Add plenty of texture.

Modern and contemporary is the in-thing. But too much of it makes for a dull, sterile look. This problem is easy to solve by adding tufted or fur pillows to a sofa or a shag rug to a hardwood floor. Don’t forget to bring in elements of nature with a couple of real plants or a stack of logs near the fireplace.

Avoid monochromatic color.

Rooms with monochromatic color schemes are out, whether the colors are pale, earthy or bold. Choose a primary color, and then accent colors that are not in the same color family as the primary.

The right size art for your wall.

When choosing artwork, it should be proportional to the size of the wall. Large pieces go on large wall spaces, and small go in small areas. Also, hang art at the right height. An average height person’s head should come to the center of the art piece.

Add height.

There are several ways to make the ceiling appear higher. First, choose a ceiling color that’s light, at least a shade or two lighter than the walls. Use short furniture to make a room look taller. Finally, order extra long drapes so you can raise the curtain rod 5-7 inches above the window casing.