Easy makeover: 9 ways to refresh your home with zero renovation

Want to give your home a new look without the hassle of a full-blown renovation? Here are some neat ways to do it.

  • Easy makeover: 9 ways to refresh your home with zero renovation

If your house is starting to look drab but you aren’t ready to commit time and money to a full-blown renovation, then a simple makeover is just the thing. These effective tricks need no renovation and many can even be done in one weekend.

So pick your favourites and get started!

#1 Decorate a wall

makeover The Ochre Home
Wall mural, by The Ochre Home

Instead of simply painting your walls a new colour, why not express your personality with something a little more statement making, like a wall mural?

Geraldine Toh from The Ochre Home, who has a degree in the fine arts, create these lovely works in close discussions with her clients, based off their tastes, interests and the design of their home. She uses acrylic paints, and while she specialises in botanical paintings, she can create other types of unique custom pieces too.

#2 Create an indoor garden

Makeover Goy Architects
Project by Goy Architects. See full feature here

Having plants in your home is one of cheapest yet most effective ways to give your space a fresh makeover. And unlike home furnishings, you don’t have to worry about whether they match or not. Sansiviera is a great choice for beginners as it’s almost impossible to kill. Other popular houseplants include pothos, fern, fiddle leaf fig, rubber plant and peace lily. Not only do they beautify your home, they’re natural air purifiers too. Create a garden wall in your balcony, hang them up on the ceiling, put them on shelves or simply place them anywhere you like; you can’t go wrong even if you try.

#3 Spruce up your old furniture

makeover Aiden T
Project by Aiden T

Lightly sand your wood furniture and paint it in your desired colour; this a smart way to use up that can of leftover paint. The same can be done for metal furniture, like the legs of a chair, with just two to three coats of spray paint. Also, reupholstering your sofa, chair or lounge in modern fabrics or leather is just as effective.

#4 Get new cushions

makeover styledbypt
Project by Styledbypt. See full feature here

Changing the covers of your throw pillows according to season, occasion or mood is a quick way to enliven your living space and give it a makeover. But if your throw pillows don’t hold their shape anymore, it’s time to get new ones. Use this opportunity to shop for new shapes, sizes and textures for added diversity.

#5 Cover with a rug

makeover Antimatter St Regis Residences
Project by Antimatter. See full feature here

If your home is open plan, laying a rug on the floor not only creates some spatial demarcation, but protects the floor too. Moreover, it enhances your decor, adds colour to the space and makes it feel a lot more inviting. With proper care and maintenance, your rug should last you a decade or more.

#6 Reposition your furniture

makeover Story of Us
Project by Story of Us. See full feature here

This is a no-brainer and costs absolutely nothing. To avoid getting bored of your home, switch things up every now and then to give your home a makeover. You’ll be surprised at how repositioning your furniture can dramatically alter the look and feel of a space. Realign your bed, swap pieces from different rooms, or peel your sofa and chairs away from the walls and have them positioned close together to form a clearly defined zone. Experiment with various configurations and find what works for you and your family.

#7 Bring attention to the things you love

makeover Van Hus Design
Project by Van Hus Interior Design

Whatever your passion may be, dedicate a space in your home for it; don’t scatter your treasured possessions all around the house. Make them a focus by displaying them together. As organising expert Marie Kondo says, “Make sure you’re able to see and cherish the items that spark joy to you.”

#8 Update your fixtures

makeover FinishPlus Hansgrohe
Talis E mixer from hansgrohe in FinishPlus – Polished Gold Optic. See more of the product

If you’ve lived in your home for over five years and are still using the fixtures your developer provided, now is the best time to change them. Give your bathroom a modern look by updating your fixtures with black or gold finish ones. You could even change out your kitchen cabinet handles and drawer pulls on your furniture. This way you get a brand new look without any renovation. Plus, it’s an inexpensive way to keep up with trends

#9 Change your lighting

makeover Joey Khu ID
Project by Joey Khu ID. See full feature here

It’s true that lighting makes or breaks an interior. No matter how good your interior looks, bad lighting won’t be able to highlight it. While ceiling lights are great at illuminating a space, it’s good to layer them with wall sconces as well as floor and table lamps. Also, warm white lighting is better than bright white lighting, unless you’re working at your desk or chopping up vegetables on the kitchen counter.

Part of this article first appeared in Lookbox Living issue 58

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