As the weather gets warmer and the days get brighter, many of us find ourselves pacing, itching to get to the home renovation projects we put off during the winter. While some of the larger projects may have to wait a bit longer, there are several you can tackle this weekend. And the best part? Your home will instantly feel new and updated.
1. Make a Gallery Space With Shelves
Does it feel like you need more display space? Adding some shelves to your walls provides a home for the plant or books that have been taking up space on the coffee table, and they can help instantly provide your room with a sophisticated, upgraded feel. There are plenty of styles of shelves to choose from – floating, rustic, modern – so you can either complement your existing decor or introduce an entirely new, interesting element to the room.
2. Prepare Your Patio & Garden
Summer is just around the corner, and now’s the perfect time to get ready for it! Chances are good that the cooler seasons did a number on your patio, so before it’s time to break out the grill, why not make sure that the patio will be an inviting space? Clean off any leaves, and give the deck itself a good clean if needed. If the wood is peeling, it might benefit from a good sanding and a fresh coat of protective stain. Bring out the patio furniture, like chairs and tables, and make sure they’re clean and neat.
Revitalize outdoor decor by making it your own. Did the previous owners leave an iron butterfly in the shed? Paint it with your favourite colours or use it to add some interest to your garden. Is there an old lawn chair that’s more of an eyesore than anything else? Give it a good scrub, sew up some cheerful cushions, and suddenly, you won’t have to invest in any new furniture for the patio area.
3. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint to a Wall or Ceiling
There’s almost no better way to instantly update a home than with a fresh coat of paint. Experiment with a different wall colour or try adding a single accent wall for a chic upgrade. It can be as simple as a complementary colour to the rest of the room, or you can make it a full family project where everyone contributes something to a larger mural. If you don’t feel like getting into a full-scale painting project, a simple touch-up to scuffed baseboards is quick, easy, and still makes your space look new.
If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to make your kitchen feel fresh and new, decide on a single, unifying focus colour for the room. Paint your cabinets or the kitchen island with the colour for a trendy update. If you don’t want to commit to fully redoing your kitchen colour scheme, experiment with small pops of colour in the form of kitchen decor.
4. Turn Your Bathroom Into a Spa
We all need a place to relax and unwind under a stressful day. Make your bathroom your very own, private sanctuary. First and foremost, clean everything – a good spa is never dirty or covered in dried water spots. If the counters are covered in toothpaste and other care products, find some boxes or a small shelving unit that you can bring in to help organize them.
Place a small plant in the room – it’ll instantly give your bathroom a more relaxing feel, and your plant will be happy with all the steam from the shower. Retrieve a small footstool that’s been looking for a purpose and use it to hold neatly rolled towels by the tub or shower stall. Of course, no spa is complete without some luxurious extras, so treat yourself to a scented candle and pick out some art that makes you happy. If you’re really feeling ambitious, consider making your own pebble or moss bath mat to elevate the luxury levels to decadent.
5. Breathe New Life Into Old Windows
After the winter (and thanks to Barrie’s famously mercurial weather), your windows are likely in need of a good touch-up. Give the glass a good clean, and don’t forget to wipe down the sliding tracks if your windows have them. You’ll be able to enjoy more light, and from the outside, your home will immediately look more polished. However, why stop there?
If you really want to give your windows a new look, take some inspiration from the samples on display at your local window company.
- Swap out your old drapes for ones of a different style or pattern. If you’re feeling extra crafty, you can even dip-dye or sew embellishments on to match your home’s other decor.
- Consider repainting the outdoor shutters, or give the framing sill a different colour to really make your windows pop.
- Create your own privacy insert with a simple wooden frame and old lace. Stretch the lace over the frame and secure it in place. Affix clear suction cups to the upper corners of the frame, and gently stick onto your window. When you want to open the window back up again, just remove the frame.
Kempenfelt Windows & Doors has been Barrie’s favourite window and door company for over 21 years. We have the experience, the selection, and the service to make your next home renovation exactly what you want it to be.
For more information on our selection of windows and doors, give us a call at (705) 737-1554 or send us a message online.
