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At the beginning of every new year, we find ourselves in the space of wanting change. It could be a change in diet, a change in priorities, or a change in style, but regardless we want to embrace the “newness” of something. If you find yourself looking around your home, tired of the same setup or same decorations, but don’t want to break the bank, we, here at Community Lending of America, are here to help. We compiled a list of 10 things you can do to refresh your home, giving it a new look for the new year.

Front door makeover.

First impressions are everything, so try sprucing up your front door. Anything from a fresh coat of paint, a new knocker, or even a different doorknob can make all the difference.

Refresh a wall…or two.

Pick any room in your home that you feel needs a little bit of a new look and paint one wall a bold, bright, or different color for an accent. Repainting in general refreshes and rejuvenates any wall, and when you make sure it’s a vibrant color, it catches the eye and completely changes the room.

Recycle fabrics and textiles.

If you’re looking to lighten up a room, try trading any heavy fabrics for light and airy ones. For example, in a living room, take down your old curtains and replace them with ones that have an open weave. Replacing dark throw pillows and slipcovers with crisp white or bright solid is an easy makeover. If you’re feeling bold, you can even try modern, floral patterns.

Bring the outdoors into your home.

In the cold months of winter, it can be challenging to feel motivated to go outside and experience nature. By purchasing a few plants, you can add a touch of green to your home. Also, having plants in your home can improve your overall health, along with boost your mood if you struggle with winter blues. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on plants, try clipping some evergreen leaves (with permission, of course) and putting them in a vase for free greenery.

Clean your kitchen cabinets.

Kitchens can quickly get dirty from all the activity and spills that happen in there, so sprucing up cabinets with a fresh coat of paint or stain can brighten, or clean up space and make a more significant difference than you might think. If you don’t want to paint, using a magic eraser on your cabinets is the best way to clean up tough spots. Another way to change the space in your kitchen is by merely removing some cabinet doors for opening shelving.

Make sure your light fixtures are working correctly.

It’s easy to go about your daily life and forget little things like changing light bulbs or fixing fan blades. But, if you go through your house one weekend and make sure all your light fixtures are working, it will brighten up your space. Even dusting fan blades will make it look more attractive and improve your air quality.

Declutter.

Things pile up so quickly during the winter, especially after the holidays. Take some time to declutter your home by donating old stuff you don’t use anymore or knick-knacks that are just collecting dust. Put any bulky blankets in a closet to open up your space and invest in cute storage bins to incentivize, keeping the area clean. Open, clutter-free spaces create the impression of a bigger house.

Let in the sunshine.

By strategically placing a mirror on the right wall, you can add an enormous amount of natural light in your home. If you can, hang a large mirror in the living room directly where the sunbeams in. Not only does this bounce light, but it also creates virtual space and an overall appeal to a small room. In these last months of winter, it’s essential to bring in the light wherever and whenever we can.

Clean out the garage.

If every room in your house has a purpose, but you need some extra space, try creating some space in the garage. You can use it for anything from extra storage to an entire room if you’re okay with parking your car outside. You can paint the walls to spruce up space and turn it into a gym, play area, or even a tv room. In the warmer months, you can open up the garage doors and enjoy the new space.

Recycle.

Lastly, by reusing items like old furniture, artwork, and decorations, you can do your part to save our planet — while saving money. Check out your local thrift store for a unique find for your home at a fraction of the cost that you would pay at any department store. You can also be eco-friendly by donating any old pieces you have and reduce clutter in your home!
We hope this post gave you some inspiration for ways to spruce up your home while staying on budget. We’d love to hear from you about the ways you make your space feel new when you need a change! Happy New Year, Community!