Once you’ve decorated your home and you’re finally happy with how it turned out (no small feat!), it’s time to settle in and enjoy. But after a few months or years pass by, you realize a few things: You haven’t moved that vase on your bookshelf, changed out the frames on your gallery wall or noticed how dingy your rug has gotten. It’s time for an upgrade. The great news is that every room can feel completely fresh with just one small change. Sometimes it’s a tiny detail noticeable only to you that makes a room feel like new again. Here, we give you some of the best (and most affordable) one-trick updates.
Instant Updates
Plant Life
Inserting just a few plants into your space can instantly shift the vibe by adding in a little green and some texture. There are a lot of fun and interesting vessels on the market that allow you to decorate at various eye levels, so you can fill spaces creatively. Try a hanging macramé planter or geometric brass vase that also serve as wall decor. Plus, nature can be super-soothing, so bringing the outside inside has health benefits as well.
Urban Outfitters Magical Thinking Hand-Knotted Hanging Planter, $29 Ikea Satsumas Plant Stand, $30 H&M Small Metal Plant Pot, $7 Urban Outfitters Umbra Trigg Wall Planter Set, $30
Rugs
Rugs are definitely more of a splurge, but they will very easily make any space feel like new again, whether it’s your living room, bedroom or even your kitchen. Why not try out something completely different than what you have currently: a shag rug for some texture, a colorful, bold pattern for a statement or something unexpected that surprises you each time you walk into a room.
Ikea PS 2014, $139 Zara Floral Motif Rug, $169 Zara Natural-Coloured Round Jute Rug, $319 Aelfie Flamingo Sheepskin, $259
Throw Pillows
Whether it’s the couch, an accent chair or your bed, a little sprucing with some new throw pillows can go a long way. Throw pillows can also be changed out seasonally with different fabrics: velvet and wool for winter, linen and macrame for summer. A pillow is also the best way to add a little punch of personality to a room without making too much of a financial commitment.
H&M Cushion Cover With Fringe, $18 Oh Joy! For Target Cloudscape Gold Embroidered Pillow, $20 H&M Color-block Cushion Cover, $13 Threshold for Target Macrame Throw Pillow, $25
Art
The time has come to change up your gallery wall or create a fresh new one. Maybe you already have some things you’ve picked up along the way, and you just need to dedicate some time to framing and hanging them—or maybe you’re looking for some new, inspiring pieces. Minted, Etsy and Society 6 are all great places to find affordable prints. Add in some unique pieces to really overhaul your gallery wall this season.
Minted ha-ha-ha-ha, $21 - $220 Society 6 Seasonal Art Print by Beth Hoeckel, $20 Max Wanger Print Shop Cloud No.1, $35 - $850 Garance Dore For Rifle Paper Co. Friends, $24
The Little Things
Your one-trick update can also be something subtle, small and simple. Sometimes you need a pick-me-up just for yourself that no one else will even notice. In these instances, a new set of mugs, a coffee table book, a collection of vases or, yes, even a new candle can make all the difference.
Amazon In The Company Of Women By Grace Bonney, $23 Catbird Rooftop, Saturday Candle, $38 H&M Round Glass Vase, $7 Target Clay Art Soup Mug, $6
