The phone rings, and your worst nightmare happens: Your perfectionist sister is coming for an extended visit. What's worse, you've done nothing to update your home decor since the last time she came. Even in a crisis such as this, there are ways to revive home decor with some quick and easy decorating tips.
Enlist the Ottoman: Turn a large ottoman into a new coffee table. Place a handsome, sturdy tray on top and add a coffee table book and a small decorative dish. This technique works especially well for freshening up family rooms and is safe for little ones just learning to walk (no sharp corners!).
Delight with a Display: When space is tight, use a bookshelf or a tiered table for display and storage. Use the top shelf for a glass jar that can hold everything from marbles to seashells to potpourri in a living room, or bath salts and guest soaps in the bathroom. Then store remote controls, magazines, hand towels, washcloths or other necessities neatly on the lower shelves. In one fell swoop you've corralled the clutter and created a charming display.
Cozy up the Toes: One of the quickest ways to update any room is with a new area rug. Keep an eye out for ads featuring rugs for sale and develop a set to be swapped out at a moment's notice. Look for spots that haven't had rugs before, such as entryways. Make sure they're secured with a mat or tape.
Light up the Lamps: Changing lampshades can make a striking difference in the way a room looks. In place of standard ivory drum shades, add triangular shades in a color to complement the room's scheme. It might even be possible to trade lamps from the bedrooms for living room lamps for added interest.
Perk up the Pillows: New pillows are a quick and inexpensive way to change a room's look. Pick pillows in new solid colors that harmonize with the room's color scheme and add a contrasting print. And don't bother to get exactly the same size pillows, either. Different sizes also increase the visual interest.
Freshen the Fabrics: Plain curtains gain pizzazz with the addition of some trim from the fabric store. Trimmings in all kinds of designs and materials are available, from simple corded tiebacks to the zigzag patterns of rickrack. Sew the trim onto the sides of the curtains or add it in the middle. It's a simple trick that adds plenty.
Book Up: People who still read actual printed books know that their favorite tomes aren't merely informative and entertaining - they're also excellent decorations. Stack a few favorites on a side table or place a gorgeous photo book on the coffee table and they're instant conversation starters. Those who don't have any books can find extremely cheap offerings at the nearest thrift store or secondhand shop, as well as at a used bookstore. Go for the hardbacks; they are more durable.
Lift the Mood with Lemons. A bowl of fresh lemons on the dining table or the coffee table brings a pop of sunshine yellow into the room. For added effect, slice a lemon and squeeze its juice into a few hidden corners to freshen the air wonderfully.
With these tips a homeowner never needs to fear the arrival of even the most persnickety relatives!
Fran has eventually opted for a Oprah's table settings for a get together she is having next week. It will be the very first time her fellow workers go to her property and she would like to showcase her entertainment expertise. She has decided on blue along with a white colored western table centerpiece that complement the ocean scene coming from her living area windows.
