Four Easy Ideas to Update Your Home for the New Year

Despite the shorter, darker days and colder temperatures, this time of year is my absolute favorite. The new year means you have a clean slate to plan for the year ahead. As a business owner, this means looking back on the previous year and setting new goals to start working towards. As a homeowner, this means finally making those changes at home that have been in the back of your mind and resetting the scene to make the next year your best year yet. This week, I’m rounding up four simple changes we just made in our own home that you can do to update your home without breaking the bank, and make you fall in love with it all over again.

Swap out your throw pillow covers

I recently did this in our living room, finally chucking the tired, gray ones we bought in a rush before a dinner party three years ago, and brought in pillows that really fit with our style and tie in with the rest of the space. As much as I hate the assumption that interior designers sit around fluffing pillows all day, I have to say, this simple swap is a really effective way to completely change a room! I had been growing so tired of our living room, and now with the new pillow covers, it feels like a brand new space and I love it.

If you have a more neutral home, introduce some cognac leather in your pillows to add a pop of color on your sofa without clashing or starting a new “theme”. Mudcloth pillows and colorblocking pillows are some of my favorite ways to introduce pattern into a space without overpowering things. See how these pillows tie into the rest of the space here.

Drape a new throw blanket (or two) on your sofa

Okay, similar concept to the one above, but again, even as a designer I didn’t realize quite how much of a change this would have on a space! Mike and I live in Chicago, so extra warm throw blankets are an absolute essential to stay cozy and get through the winter. A few years ago my parents gave us a faux fur blanket that we fought over every night. Now that we’re moving that one into our guest room, I bought two lighter faux fur blankets, one for each of us, and they feel so luxurious. By choosing a color that actually blends in with the sofa, as opposed to contrasting it, it makes the sofa feel larger and less broken up, which is helpful in smaller urban homes.

In our own living room, we chose two light gray faux fur blankets so they break the sofa up less and mitigate any visual clutter. If faux fur isn’t for you, a cashmere blanket will give an equally luxurious feel and add a beautiful texture to your space.

Change out your light fixtures

This one takes a little more technical skill (or the help of an electrician), but completely updates a room, both from an aesthetic standpoint and from an overall lighting perspective. Mike and I recently sold our tired (we’ve had it for almost 5 years) West Elm Mobile Chandelier, and swapped in a sculptural oversized black and brass pendant.  The light in the room is completely different now…instead of the warm glow of Edison bulbs, we have a crisper white (though still warm, which is important for a bedroom) and a more focused light, rather than an overall glow.

Light Fixtures can really be a piece of art in your space. If you choose something really sculptural, that feels unique, let it stand alone against an accent wall to celebrate it! In this North-Center project, we carried in black and brass metals throughout the space, and married the two in this statement piece, showcased against a matte black wall.

Introduce a new piece of art

If you already have frames on your walls, swapping out the art inside for something new can really transform the vibe in a room. If you have a neutral room, introduce a pop of color to really elevate the space. Or if you want a more understated look, pull in some of the tones that are already in the room so the room feels cohesive and curated.

This pop of royal blue elevates this otherwise neutral room and creates a stunning focal point. Because the color is unique in the space, we chose a theme for the artwork that ties in with the rest of the space so that it feels cohesive. The cluster of circles resembles the cluster of coffee tables in the center of the room. To see more of this project, check out Part 1 of the Home Tour here.

I hope this inspires you to make a few edits in your own home for the new year! Tag us in your stories if you do, I’d love to see what you come up with!

Happy New Year!

-dgw