Little Interior Design Tips for a Big Impact
by Kate McIntyrekate.mcintyre@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
I used to dread going into my favorite coffee shop's bathroom. A scarred mirror gaped sadly out from above the sink. The bathroom floor looked as though it was cleaned on a four-year cycle. I didn't want to touch anything. A couple weeks ago, though, things changed.
When I went into the bathroom, I noticed that it looked much brighter and cleaner. The only change was a brand new, shiny mirror. This small interior decorating improvement transformed the space, and it cost no more than $10. If you are feeling overcome by the interior decorating blahs, you should consider spicing up your space like my favorite coffee shop did. You will be surprised at what a few dollars can do.
Easy Interior Design Changes
Are you in the mood for an interior design change? Here are a few likely suspects:- Drawer Pulls and Door Handles: Cheap plastic drawer pulls or outdated door handles can drag down the interior design of an entire room. Even if your home is a rental, it's simple to change the drawer and cabinet hardware to something more stylish. The only tool you need is a screwdriver. Save the old hardware and reinstall it when you move out.
- Stained or Broken Items: Treat your old curtains to a washing or dry-cleaning, or replace them altogether. If you can sew a straight seam, you can make inexpensive custom curtains that fit your windows and your interior decorating scheme. You might be used to that crumpled lampshade, frayed light pull, or cracked mirror by now, but that should not deter you from upgrading.
- Paint: By far the simplest way to change a room's interior design is to paint it. Consider choosing a color that shows up elsewhere in the room so that the room feels unified.
The best part about these small changes is that they lead to more interior decorating improvements. The bathroom in my coffee shop, for instance, is looking better than ever. There is a new paper towel dispenser, and I think the new mirror might have even inspired the coffee shop staff to mop the floor.
Source
About the Author
Kate McIntyre is a writer in Portland, Oregon. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Oregon State University.
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