Is it weird that John read my headline in passing and used it as an opportunity for a comedic performance? A few “room-crisping” suggestions from him? 1) Flambé it. 2) Put crunchy noodles on the floor. 3) Starch it.
Funny guy. Anyway, here are seven super affordable and easy ways to freshen up any space. They might seem simple and straightforward, but it’s amazing what a difference these little tweaks can really make. So if you don’t have the energy (or the money) for a full scale room makeover, these might be just the thing to give you a new look in a snap.
1. Paint your trim with crisp white semi-gloss paint. Whether you’re repainting dingy trim or converting it from a wood tone, there’s nothing like sleek white trim to make a space feel dimensional, polished, and fresh- even a hallway! Think of your window, door, and baseboard trim as giant picture frames that can really showcase an area- and we all know that sometimes it’s the frames that make the art.
2. Introduce new outlet covers and wall switchplates. Sometimes you inherit them in pretty bad condition (they could be painted over, faded or dated in color, or even wallpapered- eeks!). So switching out your covers for crisp clean white ones- or even stainless steel beauties if that fits your decor- can instantly make the whole house read as updated and oh so current. Bonus points for painting out the trim on your doors for even more architectural interest!
3. Paint a dingy and dark fireplace glossy white. Yup, more white paint is on the agenda here- but just look at how crisp and lovely it can look. And here’s a handy tutorial.
4. Hang breezy white floor to ceiling curtains. Ok, ok, so they don’t even have to be white- but if you have a flat looking neutral room with a tan sofa and a beige carpet, hanging long billowy white curtains (along with repainting your trim and switching out your outlet covers) will transform your room in ways that you almost won’t believe. And if your color scheme calls for off-white or linen colored curtains instead, as long as you hang them high and wide to frame the view, your room will instantly feel more airy and inviting.
5. Grab three to five punchy new pillows. Sure, safe neutral pillows are nice, but nothing pops like a bit of saturation in the form of plush pillows that really invite you in. And thanks to places like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Home Goods, Target, and Etsy you can grab pillows for around $6-$12 each. That means thirty beans is all it takes to give your seating area a totally fresh look. If you have a flat looking neutral room like we described above, there really are limitless options for accent colors (turquoise, steel blue, eggplant, amber, cinnamon, celadon, ruby, raspberry, peony pink, persimmon, lemon yellow, lime, etc).
6. Bring in baskets. They’re such an easy way to wrangle things and create a much more polished and organized vibe- even when it comes to kid clutter.
7. Add one more dash of saturated color. You can spotlight a bright piece of art above the mantel or you can get an old mirror on Freecycle or Craigslist and spray paint it the same punchy tone that you introduced to your sofa with those new pillows (lime? raspberry? turquoise? celadon?). Heck, even grabbing a cheap thrift store lamp and spray painting the base or recovering the shade in that playful tone will have the same effect without draining your wallet.
So there you have seven quick and easy ways that you can make a room feel current and fresh (for everyone from potential home buyers to yourself). But we’re positive that we left something out. What small tweaks have you guys tried on for size when it comes to breathing new life into a stale or ho-hum space? Spill it.
All images (except for the curtain pic) from fun and fabulous House Crashings of yore.
Sarah-Mae @ Eat, Run, Knit says
Great post! I’m in the middle of doing many of these steps while re-decorating my basement apartment now!
Heather says
I have had a question I have been meaning to ask you guys about painting the fireplace. I know in your living room that the screen was a brass finish and now it’s white- did you just spray paint this? I am not sure what to do with ours as it looks like there is some detailing on the screen itself so I can’t just spray paint over it necessarily as it would get on the glass window then. Can you get these new… or just pull them off altogether? I was yanking at ours last week to see what it would look like if I just remvoed it but there looks like there is installation behind it.
YoungHouseLove says
We actually just painted it with white latex paint (because it’s a fireplace that we rarely use) but there’s even high-heat spray paint that you can pick up for a more durable and super easy result. Of course remove the doors and spray them outside and then put them back up. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Mary says
I love the look of bright white trim – but it shows dirt so fast and much!!! How do you keep it clean??? The ways I’ve tried means re-painting it often – some secrets, please, Youngsters?
YoungHouseLove says
Semi-gloss paint! So wipeable! Ours still looks mint four years later.
xo,
s
Carole says
love this post–I like that many of the suggestions could be used by renters, too!
i find changing out hardware (knobs on cabinets, furniture and/or handles on doors) to be a fast and easy pick-me-up for a room. Updating from builder bland brass knobs or outdated kitchen cabinet pulls can make a big difference in little time (and little $)
Ania says
Gah, I love that grey paint in the trim picture! Any ideas as to what color it is??
YoungHouseLove says
Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore!
xo,
s
Molly says
Love these kind of posts. More please with easy cheap ideas that don’t involve my husband and a power tool.
Thank you!!
Michelle says
Ah! Sherry! I had remembered seeing a couple in one of your house crashes who painted the trim of their bedroom door and it looked fabulous, and I searched tirelessly through the house crashings but I could NOT find it. But there’s the picture, above! What house crash tour was that from? I love the idea and am definitely going to do it.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Michelle,
That’s from Amber and Adam’s house crashing in DC. Here’s the link: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/04/house-crashing-stunning-in-the-city/
-John
Patti says
This post is so timely for me, thank you! I’m selling my house and I need to update my living and dining room without spending a fortune and these simple ideas are perfect! My current couch (which I can’t afford to replace) is traditional, striped navy blue, burgundy-ish and gold. I would love to bring it into the 21st century with some new pillows but can’t figure out what colors to go with … any ideas? Everything I try to do looks wrong. The couch came with 2 matching striped pillows which look very dated. Thanks for any advice you can give me!
YoungHouseLove says
Patti- Try bringing home a variety of gold, yellow, and amber toned pillows to see which ones work best (then return the rest).
Libby- Crisp gray could look amazing, as would soft yellow! Good luck.
Martha- That’s the Expedit bookcase from Ikea. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Libby says
Question on #4: That Picture is perfect especially if you have wall color. Great contrast. HOWEVER, I just moved to an apartment with off whitish (not crisp white but not exactly off white enough for white curtains.) I’m afraid that white curtains would just fade in. Would a crisp grey provide contrast with enough “blillowiness?” I’m afraid of curtains weighing down the space. The walls are at least 9 ft then vaulted from there. I love cranberry, pinks, greys yellow, teals, orange. Those colors. HELP PLEASE.
Martha Beeton says
My husband and I just bought our first home, and my sister told us we should check out your site for inspiration. Boy, was she right! Thanks so much! I just love the bookshelves you showed in this post. Any idea where can we find something like that to help us organize our clutter?
anna see says
Great suggestions! I love them all.
alison@semi-fab lane says
these are great tips. painting the trim can become quite a transformation!
Tara says
This post highlights all of the things we’re in process of doing to our new to us house! I’m having a color dilemma though–we paint the kitchen and dining room (they’re open spaced & adjoined) Brittany Blue by BM and it’s a lovely blue-grey. The Living room is connected to the Dining Room, all open spaced still, and I’m wanting to paint the walls Sand White to get a beachy effect. I have BM Ashen Tan taped up and it looks too dark, do you have any other recommendations for a nice Sandy Taupe if Sand White is unavailable? Also, there’s a fireplace in the Living Room I want to paint, but not sure if white or a slate grey would work better, do you have color suggestions? Is it a good to paint the fireplace the same bright white you have your trim painted?
Love your site, it’s been so great as a resource in our home projects!!
YoungHouseLove says
Try Glidden’s Water Chestnut and a soft cream on the fireplace. Then a white mantel will pop with the white trim. Good luck!
xo,
s
Marissa says
Thanks S! I guess it’s the fabric of the couch more then the color that overwhelms me, but buying lots of pillows and returning the ones I don’t like it a great idea! You Rock!
Nichole@40daysof says
That’s my bay window! Smith & Noble and JC Penney are great places to look for those rods.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Nichole! We’re still loving those curtains (and the rods of course!).
xo,
s
Elissa says
Smart post, but I think #5 (adding throw pillows) often is just not practical because the pillows end up spending the most time ON THE FLOOR, which does not feel crisp and clean. Sure they look nice on the couch when you clean your living room, but I find that most people’s throw pillows are in the way when I sit on their couch, so I have to move them. To the floor. Also, if you have mobile kids (as I do), they will not respect your decorating flair and will remove the pillows, I promise. I’m getting rid of my 3 throw pillows because they are just one more out-of-place-thing on my living room floor that I’m tired of tripping over!
Heather S says
We’ve been talking about doing white trim in our house for awhile (to go w/our new Vivan panels!), but I’m torn – our 6-panel doors are already white and still look good. But I’m pretty sure the off-the-shelf semi-gloss won’t match. Do I color match the door so the trim matches, or paint the door to new trim color? And how would I color match a door anyway?? (I’m picturing walking thru Home Depot with a door under my arm… hmmmm.)
Thanks!!
YoungHouseLove says
Heather S- Just bring a ton of white paint swatches home and hold them up to the door. You’ll find a match in a snap!
Heather- The key is to apply thin and even costs of paint- it would have to be super thick to paint the window closed! Don’t worry! And as for the door, if you use oil-based primer the grain will never show through!
xo,
s
Loren says
This only really works in the bedroom but I love switching out my duvet cover for the new seasons (or letting my comforter hang out in it’s birthday suit). And changing the sheets. I have three different colored sets, mixing and matching them can be a lot of fun.
Also trading out the art in a room. Either replacing the picture in a frame or moving the frames from one room to another.
Heather says
I am back with another ? regarding painting the trim and all woodwork around windows. Do you find the paint chips when you open and close windows? I am afraid I will paint it shut or something. I have been wanting to paint the trim white since we moved in 2 months ago but am hesitant for the very reason of painting the windows shut :) I am also worried about painting the hollow oak doors for fear that the grain will show through.
Amber says
Have you all ever had to switch out an outlet (not just the plate)? Our outlets are off white so changing the plate alone will not do much good, but the off white color so close to my white trim drives me nuts!
Denise says
Where are the boxy white shelves from? Ikea? I so need those in our home office!
YoungHouseLove says
Denise- That’s the Expedit bookcase from Ikea!
Amber- Yup, it’s super cheap and easy! Just google around for a tutorial and ask the pros at your local home improvement store to show you the part that you need. Just turn off the power and connect the matching wires- so simple. Good luck!
xo,
s
Bianca says
HELP!! Im getting ready to paint my fireplace but I need to tuckpoint it first…any tips??
Thanks!!
Bianca
YoungHouseLove says
We don’t even know what tuckpoint means. Anyone else know or have tips?
xo,
s
Tara says
Sherry thank you for your suggestion! Choosing a color is difficult for me, especially since we don’t have a lot of money in our budget for choosing the wrong color. My concern with Water Chestnut and a soft cream for the fireplace (would Glidden’s Antique White be good?) is that it will look more yellowed in contrast to the blue-grey. I guess in that case Sand White would be the better choice?
Emily says
I have a tray (sp) ceiling in my master bedroom. Should I still hang the curtain all the way to the ceiling (which isn’t really the highest point in the room of course)? That was my original thought but I am kind of wondering if that is going to look odd.
Pat says
Youngsters,
I’m trying to incorporate your suggestions here with the 70, 20, 10 rule discussed last week.
My living/dining room is:
Beige Walls, Carpet (60%)
Red Couch, Chair, Ottoman (20%, but feels like 30%)
Brown wood cabinet, coffee table, console, table (20%)
…and then let’s throw some white trim (? %) in there to mix it up.
Am I overthinking this percent mix? (Hmmm-perhaps)
I was thinking of ceiling to floor white sheers like you have in the above phote. Do you think it will be too much?
…or provide a nice balance?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Pat- We definitely think that white floor to ceiling sheers would look amazing! Go for it.
Emily- Step back while a friend or relative hold the rod up at ceiling height (on a ladder) and just see how it looks and feels. You can always go 5-8″ under the ceiling if you think they’re too lofty.
Tara- Whenever you don’t have a lot of money in the budget for paint we recommend getting a tester paint batch made up. They’re just $4 and so much cheaper than painting the whole room the wrong color! And since paint reads differently in different lighting situations, the Sand White might look a lot cooler (and better) in your house or the Water Chestnut could look amazing with something like Antique White. We wish we could guarantee the right colors, but it’s really all about bringing home a ton of swatches and then picking up a test can of the color you think is “it” to be sure you’re confident about your choice. Good luck!
xo,
s
Kellie says
Geez…doesn’t John know that if you throw crunchy noodles on the floor Burger would snarf them right up and you’d have a non-crispy room and a pooch with a bellyache, HA! (at least, this is what my dogs would do….)
Tonia says
These great tips and they don’t even cost much to do.
Danielle says
Almost completely unrelated.. a friend of mine was looking for a bathroom remodel to swipe ideas from, and of course I sent them here. I also Googled to see if I could find images from the sadly-defunct Domino mag and came up with this gem of a website: http://www.flickr.com/groups/dominomag/
I know you both are fans as much as I am (yes, I have a stack of them too)… enjoy!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah we love that flickr group!
xo,
s
lana @ make a house a home says
great ideas! we need to paint our bedroom fireplace white so bad! the red brick is killing the room
Bethany says
Quick question. Just started painting all of the trim/doors in my house (which is actually a LOT because we live in New England in an old home) and i’m using a white eggshell. Do you think that’s a bad idea using eggshell??
YoungHouseLove says
We would strongly recommend semi-gloss! And it’s much easier to make the switch now than redo all of it in a few months when it looks grungy. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Angelyn says
I took cheap white canvas curtains from Walmart and stenciled a dark brown design on them with permanent fabric paint. The stark contrast between the panel and the paint looks incredibly crisp, especially against my light green-gray paint (Filmy Green by Sherwin Williams). I recommend just doing a border or center design instead of covering the whole panel, because mine took way more paint and time than they had to!
Lee says
Hi YHL Guys!! :)
Please could I have a small bit of advice? (if you guys have time that is!)
We are getting ready to update our fireplace and it has us completely stumped for ideas.
The fireplace is red brick inside and sandstone decorative brick/tile on the front face. The mantle is an oak type varnished wood about 3″ thick – but what has us really scratching our heads is that the mantle itself extends well past the fireplace to meet the wall on one side (the total length of the mantle is double that of the fireplace), giving the whole thing a totally unbalanced look.
(side note: above the mantle, but centred over the fireplace, we wall mounted a 38″ lcd tv)
Help!!! we are so stuck for ideas! Do you guys have any suggestions on how we tackle something like this?
Would love to hear what you would do in the same situation :)
Thanks heaps!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lee,
If it were us, we’d paint the fireplace and the mantel crisp white. That way they’ll feel more cohesive and a bit more balanced and tied together. Of course that’s just what we’d do, so follow your heart!
xo,
s
Momnivore's Dilemma says
Couldn’t agree more about the semi-gloss paint on trim, especially with toddlers abound touching my window sills with sticky fingers.
I’m all for the spray paint idea- I have an old mirror from the now retired Bombay store that I still love and a funky lamp from Home Goods…
Our family room is also the entry room in our home and could use a facelift. We have a wild style (red couches, zebra rug, peanut butter walls…) Some of these ideas will work.
Question: Know of any non-voc spray paints???
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Momnivore’s Dilemma,
Sadly we don’t know of any off the top of our heads, but you could try greendepot.com. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Candice says
Those pictures are so pretty. Definitely going in my inspiration book! Love the basket shelves! Definitely could use those to put my one year olds toys and book and knick knacks in. Plus would look perfect in her nursery with her light colors
Leslie W says
I love these tips!
We have added crisp clean white moulding to nearly everyroom. We painted our fireplace high gloss white! It makes such a difference, so clean and fresh.
Thank you!!
Viv Walker says
Love the tips. We painted out all the oak in the family room of our old home and what a difference. I’ve got three more:
-use a good wood floor cleaner to take the dullness off wood floors. They don’t need to be shiny– just not dull.
-clean or replace lampshades and dust the bulbs
-paint inside a scuffed up closet
Liz says
I’ve been loving your posts lately! They’ve come at a good time since I’m moving soon. Thanks!
I especialy love the idea to change outlet covers. I live in an apartment and I was looking at mine the other day thinking how much more polished the room would look if they were all white (they’re realy yellowish and old looking now).
Kristin says
Hello YHL,
I love the great ideas in your post today! Thanks for all your tips. I’m working on my living room/den and I’m completely stuck. The room is painted Sherwin Williams Herbal Wash with white trim throughout including fireplace mantel, french doors, and a large double window. I can’t decide if white curtains will be too much white in the room. There is a brown suede couch and leather club chair in the room; I’m trying to find another chair. I thought turquoise or blue tone would be a “punchy” color for the space in a lamp or pillows but I don’t want the room to look too crazy.
Any thoughts?
YoungHouseLove says
We don’t think white curtains can ever be wrong in a room with white trim and doors. Go for it!
xo,
s
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
We painted all of our wood trim and doors in glossy white. The trim was SO dark and dated looking (our house was built in the 1990s so it wasn’t “historic” wood or anything.) Looks so much better!
I’ve also been stalking several stores for some new, colorful couch pillows…can’t find any I like just yet.
kelly says
Here is a tip for those painting baseboards in a carpeted room. I saved cereal boxes for a while (you will need quite a few!) then flattened them and they slide nicely under the baseboard covering up the carpet. You don’t even have to be neat when you prime and paint! When all the coats are dry, just slide an exacto knife along, and pull the cardboard out. Any boo-boo’s will be hidden by the carpet : )
Carolyn says
Good tips. I especially love #5 and 6 on the list. I like to breathe new life in to a room with a plant or two and just a general clean and de-clutter. Not being overcrowded with so much stuff that I can’t breathe makes a HUGE difference!
jja says
John is so sweet to you :-) Great tips today! I used almost all of them and do agree so much with nr. 1 and now I woule not even consider to rent (I rent, apartments in my area cost about 200 000 euro, just an avarage one) if the trim is brown.
Laura says
Hi YHL,
Should the color of the doors match the color of the trim around them? I have white baseboards and doors and
was thinking of repainting the baseboards (a brighter white)since the walls will be painted but then the doors wouldn’t match the trim. And the door paint is in great condition.
I’ve had some painters say my baseboards are in good condition so why paint them (painted 5-10 yrs ago by previous owner)and others say since painting walls and installing new wood/laminate floors then should do trim and doors also. Might have to have expansive cathedral ceiling painted too. I’m hiring painters to do all this due to stairs and height of walls so all this stuff to be painted adds up and is so expensive!
YoungHouseLove says
If it were us we’d repaint both the trim and the doors. It’ll look so fresh and crisp. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Charlotte says
GREAT post! We moved into a knotty-pine-tastic colonial about a year ago, and I am TOTALLY with you!
1.) done–two coats of oil based primer followed by 2 coats of white
2.) done–we replaced both the switches and switch plates
3.)I don’t necessarily agree with painting the brick. After I got my walls painted a new bright color (Benjamin Moore’s Harbour Town) and my trim painted semi gloss white (Benjamin Moore’s Frostine), my husband and I thought the brick was a nice accent.
4.) I took down most of the country fabulous window treatments but haven’t gotten my act together for curtains yet–any suggestions for what type of curtain rods look crispy?
5.) I got west elm throw pillows for my beige sectional–the patch NYC ones (http://www.westelm.com/products/patch-nyc-pillow-covers-r841/)
6.)I have a basket for dog toys!
7.) hmmmm…saturated color…gotta work on that one…does sage green count as saturated?
NOW for the rest of the house!!
YoungHouseLove says
We love curtains from Ikea (vivan panels are our favorite) and rods from Target (oil-rubbed bronze ones look so much more expensive than they are!). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Ashlee says
So, I am partially through a bathroom project and planning to finish up today after reading this post. I guess I needed some inspiration to get in there & get it done!
Already stripped the wallpaper & repainted (SW Dover White). Replaced the entire stand up shower tile (white as well) & removed the doors from the closet/replaced with baskets/decorative storage boxes…
To finish up, I am painting the ceiling and inside the closet (as well as slapping on a fresh coat of white on the trim). I have some old busted up ceiling paint (SW Visible Solutions…the kind that goes on purple, turns white). I wasn’t crazy about it as ceiling paint, but I have a whole unopened can b/c I overbought when using it a different bathroom redo in our house. My question is: can I use this up as primer??
YoungHouseLove says
Unfortunately paint can’t do the job of primer. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Sara says
Youngsters: You meant “can’t,” right? Paint can’t do the job of primer?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! CAN’T! Haha. Thanks!
xo,
s
Kimberly Payne says
Your website is so great, it gives me so many great ideas for when I have a house one day. I was hoping to find out where you got the baskets that you have in the bookcase for tip #7. We are welcoming a baby girl in October and will be using a bookcase just like that for her clothes and I have been looking for the perfect baskets to use.
YoungHouseLove says
That actually isn’t our house so we’re not sure where the baskets are from. It’s a home that we “house crashed.” You can find out more in that post (follow the link at the bottom of this post to our house crashing page). Good luck!
xo,
s
Laura says
We just purchased a house (built in 2007) and it has beautiful dark wood trim, doors, and cabinets throughout. The wall color is a light tan color but I am having a hard time lightening up the rooms due to the dark wood work. Any suggestions/tips on how to decorate a room that has dark trim/doors without painting over it?
YoungHouseLove says
Soft celery green looks lovely with dark woodwork, so bring in accents and pillows in that color or even repaint the walls!
xo ,
s
Stephanie G says
Sherry-
I recognized many of those pictures from house crashes… can you tell me where you got the photo of the kitchen nook with the white curtains? I LOVE the look in that room and would love to stalk that blog a bit!
Thanks so much. I’ve followed you guys for a few years now and have a few also addicted friends since! Our little girl was born in March and I love looking at Clara -totally understand how incredible that love is!
Love you guys,
Steph
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Stephanie,
That picture is actually credited/linked at the very bottom of this post, but here’s the shortcut for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/06/email-answer-its-curtains-for-you/
And here’s the homeowner’s blog: http://40daysof.wordpress.com/
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jenn says
Just curious why you should use semi-gloss for trim and not high gloss? I just painted my son’s bedroom and was about to paint the trim with high gloss then I read your article. Is high gloss ok or should I use semi-gloss? I’m new to this still learning as I go. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, high gloss is great! Just nothing that’s more flat than semi-gloss since it’s not easy to wipe!
xo,
s
Wendy says
Help! I really, really, really want a storage shelf like the one you posted in tip #6. My munchkins toys are starting to take over. Do you have any idea where I could find one – in Canada?
Love, love, love your blog!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Wendy,
It’s the Ikea Expedit bookcase- which we believe is actually available up there! Good luck!
xo,
s