photo credit: annethelibrarian
Living in the suburbs isn’t the dull trip to dullsville that city people want to paint it as. I love suburban living and, let’s face it, so do millions of Americans. But if you want to spend all your time out and about, and no time at all working on making your home more livable, more beautiful, and so on, then suburban home ownership is not for you. Get thee to the city!
For the rest of us, though, fixing things up and polishing up the décor is a great path to happiness and fulfillment. There’s something about that nesting instinct that makes life so very much more satisfying. If you agree, then keep reading!
Nothing, and I mean nothing, is faster, cheaper, and more effective as a decorating pick-me-up than a fresh coat of paint. My personal system is two rooms at a time so that the contents of those rooms can be moved into the ones that aren’t being painted. Two rooms a year means that every room in a six-room home will be repainted in six years’ time; then take a couple of years off and start again. Don’t be afraid of color, but don’t clash with existing furniture or carpeting. A good couch is a big investment, so bring a cushion with you when exploring paint samples.
Another quick and easy fix is bedding. A new bed-in-a-bag is a great way to change the color scheme of a bedroom and create a new mood.
Here’s a decorating tip that has served me well: Move your knick-knacks and wall art around the house. Get a box, take every knick-knack (vase, statuette, photo display) off the shelf it’s on and carry it to a different room. It’s not just redecorating, you’ll also be noticing your prized treasures with fresh eyes.