By Michelle Lynne
President, ML Interiors Group
With the recent turn of the calendar (BUH-BYE 2020!) and a new beginning spreading hope on the horizon, ML Interiors Group has some great suggestions to give your home a fresh look this year!
We are all spending more time at home, so being intentional about the décor selections you make will impact more than just what you see, but also how you feel. Here are six simple ideas from ML Interiors Group to update the look of your home without stretching the wallet to extremes.
1. Add Greenery to Every Room
Live plants not only may improve the quality of indoor air, but they may improve your whole outlook on life. According to NASA, houseplants can remove up to 87 percent of air toxins in a 24-hour time period. Some studies prove indoor plants reduce stress levels, improve productivity, promote concentration, and boost your mood. Why not include these beauties in every room possible?!
2. Live With What You Love
Those 1990’s crushed velvet and paisley style pillows you are holding onto? Replace them with pillows that you love and coordinate with your overall design aesthetic.
There is no hurry; Wait until you find exactly what makes you happy and splurge when necessary. Your tastes may change as you grow older, but when you surround yourself with the things you love, and that calm your senses, the years you spend with your favorite items will be time well spent.
3. Select Organic Finishes
Wood, leather, wicker, or rattan finishes will soften any space and add a level of interest to your design. This can be accomplished via your furniture, frames for your art, your lighting, and so much more. The colors don’t need to be matchy-matchy either. It’s better to incorporate a variety of tones to keep the design selections interesting.
4. Rearrange Your Furniture
This is an easy way to add a fresh perspective to (almost) your entire house. You don’t have to keep the same furniture in the same room for years on end. You may find a certain console table works better in your entry than in the living room, or your antique dresser is a great solution for office storage. Get creative and mix up the pillows, art, and accessories too!
5. Add a Coat of Paint
It’s amazing what a clean, fresh (lighter) coat of paint can do for your home’s interior and exterior. Some classic but current colors include Benjamin Moore’s Cloud Nine, Swiss Coffee, Calm. or White dove. If you prefer Sherwin William’s, our go-to paints are Pure White, Dover White, Eider White, or Snowbound. Using a light / white background won’t feel sterile. Instead, it provides a beautiful canvas for your furniture, art, and accessories to take center stage.
6. Add Layers and Texture
How do designers create an interesting room if color is minimized? At ML Interiors Group we know layers and textures are the tricks, like tassels on a throw, a faux fur pillow, a braided rug, a woven lampshade, or a wicker basket for your plant. There are endless possibilities you can add to your existing space to add interest and warmth.
And finally, if you find furniture, art, or accessories that no longer has “just the right spot” in your home, donate these items to a local charity. Many organizations provide low cost or free furniture for people escaping homelessness and other hardships which will treasure your discards.
Need help pulling together an existing or new look? Contact us at MLInteriorsGroup.com.
Michelle Lynne began her interior design career after spending more than a decade working in Corporate America. She has built a successful design firm, employing multiple talented designers and growing the services provided to include full-service residential, multi-family, and virtual design services.
