Are you someone who hates having a home that looks outdated? Sure, there are timeless homes, like those filled with Greek statues and trim moulding, but then you have those apparent outdated homes, such as the ones that clearly look like a 1970s time capsule. To a degree, they’re nice, but some people don’t want to live in time capsules, and that’s totally valid.
So, there’s something nice about trendy spaces, but at the same time, keeping a space looking fresh and feeling trendy can honestly be fairly challenging. Just think about it, what’s trendy today won’t be trenady tomorrow (especially with fast homewares being such a major issue). So, what can you do? Well, there’s a bit of a balance to it. So, let’s dive more into it!
Alright, so before learning how to update your space to make it trendy, it’s best to know that it doesn’t always need to be unsuitable. So, basically, creating a trendy home doesn’t mean you have to compromise on sustainability. Now, sure, it sounds like an oxymoron, especially considering the fact that there’s this idea that in order to be trendy, you need to get rid of what you owe and just straight-up replace it. It’s not the reality, seriously.
Choose Sustainable Materials
When it comes to decorating your home, opting for sustainable materials is a great place to start. You’ll need to look for furniture and décor items made from natural, renewable resources like bamboo, cork, and reclaimed wood. These materials are not only environmentally friendly but also add a unique and stylish touch to your home.
Actually, it’s best to hunt for soft furnishings, consider organic cotton, linen, and wool. These natural fabrics are biodegradable and often produced with fewer chemicals compared to their synthetic counterparts. Plus, they feel wonderful to the touch and add a cosy, luxurious vibe to your living space.
Embrace Upcycling
Upcycling is a fantastic way to breathe new life into old items while reducing waste. So, you’re keeping what you already own, and instead of buying new furniture, consider repurposing what you already have. For example, an old dresser can be transformed with a fresh coat of paint and new handles, while a worn-out chair can be given a new lease on life with some colourful fabric and a bit of DIY upholstery.
If you’re not the DIY type, don’t worry! There are plenty of artisans and small businesses that specialise in upcycled furniture and home décor. But seriously, it’s really easy, and there are more than enough tutorials and ideas out there. But overall, just by supporting these creators, you’re not only getting a unique piece for your home but also contributing to a more sustainable economy.
Shop Second-Hand
Thrift shops, charity shops, and online marketplaces are treasure troves of unique and affordable home décor items. Believe it or not, there are usually a lot of trendy items there, too, or at least items that you can make to be trendy. Generally speaking, shopping second-hand is a brilliant way to find one-of-a-kind pieces while reducing your environmental impact. Plus, it’s a lot of fun hunting for that perfect item that will add character and charm to your home.
Go Green with Your Paint Choices
If you’re thinking about giving your walls a fresh coat of paint, choose eco-friendly options. Many paint brands now offer low-VOC or VOC-free paints. But why? Why does something like this even matter? Well, these paints are much better for the environment and your health, as they release fewer harmful chemicals into the air.
Add Plants for a Natural Touch
So, there’s a Catch-22 here because plants are timeless, but to a degree, they’re trendy, too. So, a few are good, but unless you plan on staying dedicated and dealing with the high maintenance that plants have, then stay clear. So, thanks to COVID-19, houseplants became trendy. So, there’s a mix of this being good for the environment and a mix of it being bad (like poachers and wasting plants).
So, here’s the best way to sum it up; plants will always be in fashion in some form or another, but don’t choose plants because they’re trendy. Instead, choose plants that have not been pouched from their habitat, and only have plants that are low maintenance- such as peace lilies and succulents.
Support Sustainable Brands
If you hands down want to buy new issues, then this might be the way to go. So, when buying new items for your home, choose brands that prioritise sustainability. Look for companies that use eco-friendly materials, have fair labour practices, and give back to the community. By supporting these businesses, you’re helping to promote sustainable practices in the industry.
What are the Best Ways to Make It Feel Fresh and Trendy?
All right, so you can read above that it doesn’t need to be bad for the environment, but how can you make it trendy? Better yet, how can you do this without a lot of effort?
Change the Colour in a Room
One of the easiest and most impactful ways to refresh your home is by changing the colour of a room. Yes, you read that right. So, it’s pretty clear that every era or decade seems to have a very specific colour. For example, the 1970s seems to have a thing for burnt orange and yellow, right? The Y2K era seems to be about those all-brown Tuscan kitchen colours, right? So, that alone will help; just change up the colours.
So, it’s really up to you how you want to do it. You can contact professional interior painters to do the job (as they already have the expertise and loads of paint colour options), but if you’re on a tight budget, you can hunt for the colours you want and paint the space instead. The same can be said for wallpaper, too.
But painting and wallpaper are two of the best ways to change a space, and for the most part, neither of these options needs to be expensive or bad for the environment. For example, when you get tired of the wallpaper, you can reuse it for something else, like decorating a crate or storage box.
Swap Out Textiles and Accessories
Sometimes, all it takes to make a room feel new again is to switch out your textiles and accessories. So, all you’re going to want to do is just think about changing your cushions, throws, and rugs for different colours, textures, and patterns. This is an easy and budget-friendly way to keep up with seasonal trends. For example, in the colder months, opt for cosy, chunky knit throws and warm-toned cushions. When spring and summer roll around, switch to lighter fabrics and brighter colours to reflect the change in season.
Update Your Furniture Layout
Rearranging your furniture can give your home a fresh feel without spending a penny. Take a step back and look at your current layout. Is there a way to make the room feel more open or functional?
Try moving your sofa to a different wall or creating a new focal point with a statement piece of furniture. Sometimes, just changing the orientation of your furniture can make a room feel entirely different. Plus, some layouts are more trendy than others, too.
Add Some Art
Art can transform a room, making it feel more vibrant and personalised. You don’t need to spend a fortune on original pieces, for example, you can actually print out some pictures and just hang those up. Some wall art is trendier than others, so, with this, you don’t really need to spend any money at all. It’s simple, and it’s a quick way to make the home feel fresh.
Embrace Natural Light
This sounds odd, sure, but there’s a lot of truth to this. So, natural light can make a huge difference in how your home feels. It makes spaces look larger, airier, and more welcoming. Start by assessing your window treatments. Overall, heavy, dark curtains can block light and make a room feel closed off. Instead, opt for lighter fabrics like sheer curtains or blinds that can be easily adjusted to let in more light.
But that’s not really all either thought. Actually, mirrors are another fantastic way to maximise natural light. Place a large mirror opposite a window to reflect light and create the illusion of more space. Smaller mirrors strategically placed around a room can also help bounce light and brighten up darker corners.
If privacy is a concern, consider using frosted window film or café-style shutters (or even those cute Parisian-style cafe curtains) that let light in while keeping prying eyes out.
Declutter and Organise
Just like the natural light, this is something that seems a little too simple, but it has more of an impact than you might think. So, overall, a tidy home is a happy home. Seriosuly, decluttering and organising your space can make it feel fresh and new. Be ruthless – if you haven’t used something in the past year, it’s probably time to let it go.
But on top of that, just try to make it a habit to tidy up regularly. A few minutes each day can prevent clutter from piling up and keep your home looking its best.
