Decor & Improvement Accessories
Some styles have a vintage charm, but others make your home seem dated. The good news is that you can modernize whatever old trends you may still have lingering in your home. From tile countertops to carpeted flooring, learn how to stylishly swap out some unwanted features.
1. Add a Contemporary Touch to the Fireplace
The fireplace is one of the most prominent parts of your living space. While they’re still all the rage, there are features like older-looking mantels and darker colors you can do without. Consider updating the decorative chimneypiece with warm white paint.
Add several display shelves to the side to place your belongings in for the fireplace surround. Add contemporary decor like vases and striking artwork. Houseplants also add a natural touch to the space.
2. Round Out Your Furnishings
Boxy furnishings have certainly been reliable. However, the sharp edges and hard angles sometimes seem a little outdated. Consider swapping it for more rounded pieces of furniture. For instance, an oval-shaped coffee table can add more visual interest than a rectangular one.
Another feature to upgrade is the armchairs in your home. Rounded ones add a touch of coziness and elegance to the overall space. Some are also curved almost ergonomically, which is better for your posture in the long run.
3. Pick Natural Stone Over Tile Countertops
Do you have dated tile countertops in your home? Switch it up by adding some natural stone over the top of them. Adding one big slab can make the kitchen look more cohesive and much easier to clean.
Granite and marble are luxurious picks that come in all kinds of shades. Choosing a lighter stone can help maximize natural light and make the room seem brighter. Meanwhile, darker colors would complement more metallic accents.
4. Add Color Over the Greige
Greige is an iconic color of the past, known for those builder-grade tiles that seemed to go in almost every room. While they have a lovely matte texture, the overall color can seem too muddy. Consider swapping it out for a different color instead.
Picking hues comes down to personal preference. Some homeowners love the whimsy and brightness of pastels, while others enjoy the simplicity of more muted colors. Explore different shades and finishes until you find the one for you.
5. Remove Carpeting and Add Hardwood Floors
There are still homes that love to rock the all-carpeted flooring. But while it can feel nice on your feet, the reality is that these fibers can trap a lot of dirt and get stained easily. Consider changing things up for hardwood flooring instead.
Aside from being easy to clean, wood floors add a sense of warmth and durability. You can still incorporate that touch of carpeting with strategically placed area rugs.
6. Swap Track Lighting for Cove Lighting
Track lighting became popular a while back, especially for open living rooms. It allowed you to rotate and pivot the bulbs in different directions, creating a unique and dim setup. That said, the setup is often exceedingly elaborate and takes up a lot of space.
Cove lighting is a much simpler installation that helps you achieve a similar ambience without turning different lights away from one another. Make sure you accentuate this effect with other softer lamps.
7. Hang Zebra Blinds Over Embroidered Drapes
Lining the curtain rods with embroidered drapes was quite a charming design until all of the light just seeped into the whole room like there were zero window coverings to begin with. Swap them out for light-filtering zebra blinds instead.
The stripes still offer a part of the visual interest you would get with the lacey drapes. Plus, some parts are still sheer enough to let some light enter your home.
8. Customize the Bathroom Vanity
The bathroom vanity has evolved from a tiny countertop or just a sink with zero storage space below it. Get a custom-made space that gives more space for your skincare and other bathroom essentials. You should also have enough room to add some decor.
The sink should look like it belongs to the bathroom vanity, which can entail changing up the base of the faucet fixtures to match the style. Remember to upgrade to a bigger mirror as well!
9. Remove the Corner Tub for a Freestanding One
Another way to modernize the bathroom is by removing the corner tub. Yes, it’s space-saving and gives you an avenue for baths. However, it can cramp up the rest of your floor plan and doesn’t provide much elegance to the space.
If you still want a bathtub, a freestanding one can look striking, and you can settle for some rustic decor to make it more cozy. Add a ladder to hold your towels and other bubble bath essentials.
Modernize Your Home’s Styles
Giving your home a style upgrade can help leave behind some past trends and breathe life into your space. Assess what areas seem a little lackluster and experiment with what new changes you can incorporate. With time, effort and new interiors, your home can be an updated oasis that you can kick back and enjoy.