25 Ways to Update Your Home Without Renovating
There are so many things you can do to your space before going to the huge exercise and expense of renovating.
This is for you if…
→ you live in a rental and don’t have the option to make major changes
→ you’re saving for a renovation and want to make your space a place you can enjoy today
→ you have already renovated and you want to bring your space to life
→ you’re looking for ways to rethink your space without spending a lot of time and energy
These are ideas that I have used in my own past homes as well as in other people’s homes that I have styled or designed, and I’m always amazed at how even the smallest changes can have a huge impact on how a space looks and feels.
If your home needs a little love, try out some of these ideas.
KITCHEN
1. Repaint the walls
If you can update the paint, I always say go for it! Paint is a simple yet powerful way to completely transform a space, even if you simply add a fresh coat of the existing colour. We did this in my son’s room last year, and the room felt completely new even without changing the colour.
2. Repaint the cupboards
When we bought our house, the kitchen cupboards had a slight blue tinge, which gave the whole kitchen a different feeling than we were going for. Repainting the cupboards with a more neutral white made all the difference.
3. Swap out the hardware
We also replaced the boxy stainless steel handles with brass handles from Imprint House, and just doing that made the kitchen look so much better.
4. Paint the benchtop
The original benchtop was a bright cornflower blue, so we chose to paint it even as a short-term solution. This decision dramatically changed the look of the space.
5. Remove the upper cabinets
Eventually, I’d love to update our entire kitchen, but removing the upper cabinets really opened up the space and made us feel less boxed in. This might not be possible in a rental, but if you have the option to make this kind of change, it can help your kitchen feel much more spacious.
6. Display chopping boards
Another simple way to add warmth is to put some beautiful chopping boards on display, either by mounting them on the wall or propping them. Super simple yet striking.
7. Add floating shelves
Floating shelves offer the perfect blend of function and beauty. You can make practical things like dry goods more visually appealing by displaying them in glass jars and arranging them on the shelves, and then add personality and interest with artwork or a sculptural vase. All of these simple additions can really enhance the day-to-day experience using your kitchen.
LIVING ROOM
8. Create a cosier layout
A quick and easy way to elevate your living room is to improve the layout. In our living room, what made all the difference was bringing the sofa away from the wall. Even though you see the back of the sofa when you enter the room, the overall layout feels much more cosy and intimate, and has changed the way we use the space.
9. Update your sofa
If you don’t love your current sofa, you don’t necessarily need to go out and shop for a new one. See if you can get a slipcover in a colour and fabric that you prefer. One of my other favourite short-term solutions is to get a king or queen-sized linen sheet and drape it over the sofa. This can also be a practical solution if you have pets and want to protect the fabric and cushions.
10. Get the bigger rug
I encourage you to get a large rug for your living room. I really mean it — go as big as you can! It can feel like an unnecessary expense, but without fail, a larger rug makes any living room look and feel much more elevated.
11. Add varying heights with plinths
Use plinths or stools to add various heights in your space. It’s very easy in a living room for everything to be on a similar height, and you really want to mix it up and add variety.
12. Add a floor lamp or wall lights
Too many people rely on downlights alone, especially in living rooms and bedrooms. Please do not only have downlights in those spaces. It just creates a space that lacks personality and depth, so you really want to use lighting to add visual interest. Whether it’s a floor lamp, or table lamps on a side table or console, look for ways to add a variety of light sources at different heights.
DINING ROOM
13. Choose an oversized pendant
In the studio, adding a single oversized linen pendant from Imprint House really made the entire space. Without it, the space would have felt too vanilla. If you can add a large pendant light in your dining area, you will instantly create a focal point and make the space feel elevated.
Tip – If you have a smaller size pendant, go for two or three depending on the size of your table. Otherwise, go for one really big pendant.
14. Update your chairs
The style of chairs you choose can instantly change the feeling of a dining area. If you’re looking for an easy refresh, test out a different style of chairs. Good-quality chairs also keep their value and won’t be a loss later on.
15. Strip back your table
If your dining table has a varnish, see if you can strip it back, bleach it, paint it or go with a different stain to change the look and feel of your space without having to buy a new table.
16. Place a rug underneath your dining table
If you have young children who tend to create mess during mealtimes, this might not be practical, but if that isn’t the case, look for a low-pile or woven rug that will be large enough for the space without impinging on other throughways, such as to a connected kitchen.
BEDROOM
17. Add or remove a headboard
If you want to add some more personality or height to a space (particularly if you have low ceilings), play with scale by adding an oversized headboard. You can also remove a headboard that doesn’t suit your style or if you want to simplify your space and create a sense of calm.
18. Refresh your bedding
This is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to give your bedroom a fresh look and feel as the seasons change. In the winter, I like to add a darker palette on my bed, and it just makes it feel so cosy and inviting. Then when we get to spring and summer, I find so much joy in switching back to fresh white linens.
19. Hang curtains
During lockdown, one of my at-home projects was to sew curtains for our bedroom, and I actually chose canvas cotton drop sheets for this. You can find these at your local hardware store and then do a simple dolphin stitch to turn them into curtains. Adding these simple curtains added so much depth and interest to our bedroom.
Tip – I created a quick and easy tutorial for you here on how to turn drop cloths into curtains!
BATHROOM
20. Add a rug
I recently added a beautiful vintage South American rug that draws the eye to the rug rather than the floor tile (which wasn’t my favourite colour). Adding a beautiful bathroom rug also makes the space feel more intentional and luxurious.
21. Add a statement chair
In that same bathroom, I moved one of my favourite chairs that I’ve had for 9 years into the bathroom. Now it’s a place where I can put my clothes when I’m having a shower or changing clothes, so it’s both practical and beautiful.
22. Play with unique decor
That particular bathroom opens up to the garden, so I chose to display a pair of shears on the wall to create visual interest and draw a connection between the two spaces.
23. Paint the cupboards
If you don’t love the current colour of the cupboards, or if the vanity is looking a little worse for wear, one of the best places to start is with a fresh coat of paint.
24. Paint the benchtop
Similarly, depending on the type of benchtop, updating the look might be as simple as painting it a new colour. Just make sure you prep the surfaces well as bathroom benchtops will show signs of wear and water damage quickly if you don’t follow all the steps.
25. Change the hardware
Updating the cabinet hardware is an easy place to start, but you can also consider updating the hooks, towel bars, and even faucets if you prefer a different finish or style.
There’s so much you can do to make your space one that you enjoy every day. As you try out these ideas, be sure to take photos and send me a DM on Instagram (@nataliewalton). I would love to see how you put these ideas into action and add your own sense of style.
FREE RESOURCE
The Interior Stylist’s Handbook
Styling is the secret to not only creating beautiful interiors, but also connecting with your creativity in a meaningful way. And it’s something you can start experimenting with in the comfort of your own home.
