Inexpensive Ways to Freshen Up the House

Welcome to 2023! Yes, it’s a new year. So let’s talk about ways to freshen up the house and make it a place you want to be. Because we decided to sell our house last year, giving it a bit of a makeover was a must. But even if you are not moving house there are many ways you can freshen up your home and give it a new look. And the good new is most of them cost little to nothing.

Shop Your Home

Having your own individual style and a cohesive colour scheme makes it easy to move things around and give your home a new look. This happens with almost EVERYTHING in our house that can be moved. Pillows, accessories, and small furniture items get regularly moved into new rooms and given a new purpose. It is a way to freshen up the house for no cost at all and adds character to your rooms. Why use a chair as a chair when it can be a bedside table for a while? So, look around your home and see what you can use somewhere else.

Buy Some New Bed Linen

You don’t have to go all out and get luxe linen but a new set of sheets to coordinate with an existing quilt cover can do so much to freshen up the bedroom. I swap my sheets every couple of years and donate the old ones to the dog’s home or Salvation Army if they are still ok. These Koo sheets are from Spotlight Australia. I love the fun checks that are on trend and suit my style. They didn’t cost the earth either.

Fill a Vase to Freshen Up the House

You don’t have to be a green thumb to pop a vase of flowers or branches in every room. Cut from your garden or buy a bunch from the market. Fresh blooms and greenery make everything feel fresh and elevate the look of your home, making it feel cared for. While you are at it, look for other vessels to put potted plants in. I used old chamber pots as planters and not once has anyone commented on the previous use. They only ever say how cute the planter is!

Look For Vintage Pieces

My favourite way to decorate is with old and secondhand pieces. So it makes sense that if you want to add something new and not spend a lot of money you should trawl the second-hand shops and Marketplace. You’ll find unique items to freshen up a coffee table or shelf for a fraction of the cost of buying new stuff that will be out of fashion next year. Click here for a list of my favourite vintage pieces to collect.

Paint Something

Yes, I had to include paint. I mean, what better way to freshen up your house than with a coat of paint? If you are short on time, don’t go the whole room route (unless it needs it). Choose a piece of furniture you are no longer in love with and paint that. I recently did this in the attic bedroom. I can’t tell you the difference that painting a dresser made to the room. I also repainted our hall and living spaces. After 5 years the paint was yellowing and did not look good. The new shade is fresh and clean and only cost me a tin of paint.