Spring usually has most of us wanting to refresh and update our living spaces. After a year of being stuck at home due to Covid-19 many are ready to see their space with a new set of eyes.   Some common questions we get at Tran + Thomas about this are; What can we do to make the room feel larger? How can I bring in pops of color?  And what accessories can I incorporate to change the space up for each season?

First take a photo of the space you want to revamp from a few angles and print it out.  You will be able to then recognize where the “holes” are or where the “clutter” is.

Make the space feel bigger

Lose the Blinds: Let in the natural light, lose the wood plantation shutters or blinds. While they may appear to be light and bright, they block out so much natural light. Natural light boosts the body’s vitamin D and contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

Use Lighter Colors: Using lighter colors in the space visually makes the space feel brighter and therefor larger. Who said neutrals have to be bland? Play with textures within the same tonal range and you will bring life to a lighter color pallet.

Add Lighting to the Room: Introduce more lamps in the space to help illuminate the room from a more flattering angle. Overhead can lights cast unflattering shadows.  Make sure that the lamp and or shade are light and translucent as to not change the color temperature of the room.

Declutter: Reduce the clutter!  Take all the accessories out of the room and only bring back a third.  Or do a few rooms at a time and move items from one room into another giving it new life with in the space.

Add glass: Replace heavy or dark wood pieces with glass. Glass tabletops, lamps and bookshelves create an airier feeling

Pops of Color

Don’t be afraid to add color commitment to a space, color can be bold be bold, saturated or even muted and pastel. Many gravitate to the same colors over their lifetime so if you are someone who has always loved green think of a softer or muted shade. It can be soft and uplifting and fresh coat of paint can always update a space.

Paint: Trim doesn’t get enough design credit. It is usually stained wood or a painted shade of white. Painting the trim in a contrasting (or complimentary) color is something that most don’t think of, but once they see it, it creates a sophisticated statement. Same goes for the doors interior in your home. Shake things up and give them a color.  And don’t forget to look up! Adding color to the ceiling gives it unexpected character.

Statement Piece: Adding a fabulous piece of artwork, a colorful rug, or beautiful custom chairs can redirect the focal point of a room.  But first and foremost, make sure you LOVE the piece. Bringing in a magnificent piece of artwork instantly adds personality to a room, and speaks volumes to who you are and how you express yourself.

Add Greenery and Plants: The visual impact of adding plants creates interest, and helps make a room look clean and fresh. Plants are a great way to fill white space and complete a bare corner that a chair or lamp may not work in. Plants also add amazing texture throughout the room, and if done correctly on a bookshelf, can help guide your eye around the space.

New Accessories

Hardware: Many think of throw pillows or picture frames when it comes to room accessories, but what about door handles, light switch plates and faucets?  These simple updates can make a huge difference.  Swapping out the plastic light plate covers or builder grade cabinet pulls to something more sophisticated or playful can elevate the aesthetic of a room.

Seasonal Plants: Bring in the flowers of the season and update your coffee table vignette to reflect the season. Add a terrarium to your vignette to bring the outside in for a little fun.

Loose the TV:  TV’s are not made to blend into a room, they are just accepted. But with new innovations like the Samsung Frame TV you can pick out a gorgeous picture frame to customize the image space with your best family photo or famous piece of artwork or rotate between them and when the TV is off let the art be the star of the room.

A spring refresh doesn’t have to be expensive or a huge undertaking. It just may take little time and creativity. Remember to have fun and use this as an opportunity to express yourself.

Check out the full live story on KCTV 4 Morning Show!