Bring a home that was built in the 1970s up to date is never an easy task. Especially when you don’t have an unlimited budget or are not the best when it comes to doing it yourself.
However, this doesn’t mean that you need to give up on turning your home into your dream home as we have asked interior designers to share some of the secrets they have learned over the years. These range from simple ideas such as painting a room to the finishing touches which will help your home stand out from the crowd. As such, here are seven tips to bring your ranch home to life.
Details Matter
When it comes to bringing your home to life, it’s the details that can transform your ranch home from the run of the mill to extraordinary. For instance, the use of crown molding can make a room look complete as it helps to bring the walls and the ceiling together by focusing the eye on a decorative touch.
If you think that crown molding is expensive, you’d be wrong. These days you can find a variety of low-cost, quality options at your local home improvement store. This includes different materials, patterns, colors, and sizes that you can choose from.
When you finished the crown molding, you might want to upgrade your baseboards and even add wainscoting to a room. These details will help your room to stand you without breaking the bank.
Color Me Impressed
It might be that the colors in your home are stuck in the ’80s or maybe you want to break up the monotony of white walls. Either way, it is easy and inexpensive when it comes to adding some color to your homes.
It is so easy that just about anyone can do it. Just remember if you are painting by yourself that you will want to make sure to protect your windows, door frames, and light fixtures – this way your room won’t look like it was painted by a five-year-old.
Comfy Pillows
Ok, there are times when having too many pillows can make a room seem cluttered but having the right number of pillows can also make it seem welcoming. Having pillows strategically placed around the home can step up the elegance factor quite a bit.
When choosing pillows you want to focus on 12- to 18-inch throw pillows and roughly 22-inch, or larger, pillows for some something plusher. Another trick is to go overstuffed. This might be a bad thing when you’re eating but if you are looking for a plush elegant appearance for your living room, then having a couple of overstuffed pillows will do the trick.
Your Windows to the World
If you don’t have window treatments in your home, then you are missing a massive opportunity. Luckily, dressing up your windows can be very friendly to your budget and will help to bring your home to life.
When choosing the right treatments for your home start with well-made items that will stand the test of time, don’t go for the least expensive option. The reason is that don’t want your windows to look cheap. While this doesn’t mean that you need to get custom-made drapery, you should look for items made from cotton or natural silk.
Don’t Forget Your Backyard
While some part of the country has hunkered down for the winter, there are plenty of other places in this great country of ours where you can enjoy your backyard year-round. This could include budget-friendly ideas such as adding lounge chairs and fire pits as a way for “homeowners to dress up their backyard even on a budget,” says the upscale Houston patio and garden showroom and warehouse Home & Patio.
The Final Touches
You might think that final touches such as drawer pulls and doorknobs don’t matter – but you’d be wrong. Many of these pieces can be bought in bulk and this helps to bring the down the total cost. The trick is to find quality touches that can not only stand the test of time but will help your home to stand out.
Besides going to a home improvement superstore, you can also go to area flea markets or other places that offer items from older homes which you can incorporate into your home. This is a great way to find unique touches at discount prices.
Don’t Forget Lighting
Ask any interior designer and they will tell you that having the right lighting is extremely important to dress up a home. This includes the use of natural light as well as light fixtures. Granted, having a crystal chandelier might be beyond what most can afford. But you can look at installing dimmer switches, recessed lighting, and even vintage pieces to brighten up your home. Just remember if you are using vintage lighting fixtures to have the wiring checked or replaced as this will help to protect your home.
