MSN Shopping, May 16th, 2007
The tree's down, the garlands unwound and the lights untangled from the eaves. Now your home goes from A Christmas Carol to Bleak House. It's no wonder you feel like the dickens after the holidays. To make things worse, after your recent generous contributions to the retail sector, you're hardly in the position to spring for a total home makeover. But don't surrender to those winter blahs. Here are a few room-by-room tips to help you brighten up your home on a budget.
Street appeal
OK, so the front of your house isn't lit up like a Vegas marquee anymore and the giant plastic candy canes have been packed away for another year. That doesn't keep you from creating a welcoming new look for the season. Wreaths aren't just for December. Find one made from dried flowers, herbs, winterberries—fresh or faux—for the front door. On a trip through New England this past fall, I noticed many homes with an electric candle glowing in every window—a tastefully cheery effect that looks splendid all winter long.
The living room
Of all the rooms in your home, this one looks the most barren after the decorations disappear. The quickest and least expensive fix is to make liberal use of fresh bouquets and flowering plants. They add instant color and life to offset those gray afternoons and long winter evenings. Or, for a lower maintenance solution, pick up a silk arrangement or two. Got those holiday snaps back yet? Put a few of your favorites in new frames and hang them on the wall, place them on occasional tables or on the shelves of a hutch or bookcase. A new throw or cushions in warm jewel tones or bright patterns can add a fresh touch to an old couch (and if it's seen better days, give it a new lease on life with a slipcover). And if you really want to transform your living room look, consider a decorative screen. Some even hold candles to banish the gloom of a stormy night.
The kitchen
Here in the busiest room of your home you'll want to think of simple touches that freshen things up. Frame a colorful vintage print for the wall. Shop for a set of bright new dish towels. Fill a generous-sized, hand-painted bowl with fresh fruit for the kitchen island or counter. It's also a great time of year to get organized with a new set of canisters, a spice rack or overhead pot rack. Keep your cookbooks handy and on display with a small bookcase.
The dining room
Chances are this room got lots of attention over the holidays, which means there's less you'll need to do with it now. A new set of table linens in a deep shade dresses things up and you can always play with contrasting colors between your tablecloth, placemats and napkins. You might choose a new centerpiece as a focal point for the table or opt for a graceful candelabra.
The bedroom
Let's face it—hibernation has an irresistible allure at this time of the year. Up your cozy factor with a set of new sheets and play with your color scheme by picking out a new duvet cover for your comforter. Candles are always a nice touch—just remember to blow them out before you nod off. A new lamp is just the thing to shed light on that page-turner while the snow drifts outside your windows, and a table fountain offers a gentle way to relax into that long winter's nap.
The bath
The bathroom affords you another great opportunity to get a lot of bang from your decorating buck. The easiest way to punch things up is by choosing bath linens in new colors. While pastel and white towels look great in the spring and summer, you can add a warmer note now with deeper hues, like navy, plum, periwinkle or jade, depending on the overall tones in the room. Experiment a bit with a bath rug with a different texture or pattern and, if you use a shower curtain, pick one out that pulls your new color scheme together. If the room gets enough light, think about adding a simple hanging planter and choosing a bit of greenery that loves moisture.
Of course not every room will need the full treatments suggested here. Just do a walk-through with a notepad and prioritize by the spaces that need the most help. Even if you incorporate just a handful of the ideas above, you'll see and feel the difference. As far as comfort and style go, you won't be missing the mistletoe and you'll be ready for winter to do its worst.
