The other day at the dentist’s office, I was having a one-way conversation with my hygienist Rose (she was talking, I was grunting) about change. Rose’s tradition is that every fall, she makes a change — whether it’s a new haircut or the color of her sheets — to keep life interesting. As she told me about her new lipstick color, I started to daydream about the small decorating updates someone could do to shake things up. Here are that cost little to nothing but are sure to be noticed.
Change your room aroma
A change in fragrance can have as much positive impact in your home as a change in wall color. (It’s the reason real estate agents tell you to boil some cinnamon sticks in a pot of water or bake cookies before prospective buyers arrive.) In the fall, I like to switch to a spicier, citrus-based or more musky aroma. In the summer I burn Jo Malone’s Nectarine Blossom & Honey scented candle, but come fall I move to her (jomalone.com).
Let the light shine in
News flash: You need to wash your windows more often than just during the spring-cleaning spree. The best way to freshen a room is to remove the grime and let the sun shine in.
Start by vacuuming sills, screens and window frames with a dust brush. Then clean windows with a squeegee that has a sponge attachment, dipped in a bucket of warm water with a squirt of dishwashing liquid. Start at the top left corner and drag the squeegee to the right, drying the scraper after each pass. Remove any remaining water on the edges of the window with a damp, wrung-out chamois.
Be a photo editor
Most people have too many framed photos on display throughout their house. I suggest picking a couple of spots to display your favorites and have, at most, seven (odd numbers always look better than even) grouped together. Use consistent frames (all silver, all wood, all antique white, etc.), and remember: .
To update your collection, rather than adding more frames, swap out old photos or just slip a new photo into the frame in front of an old one. Consider displaying a group of photos with a specific theme — fall and Halloween images now, winter and holiday images in December. That way, even your photos become part of your seasonal decor.
Play musical chairs
Twice lately, I’ve visited friends who have complained to me that they never use their living rooms. In both cases, they had furniture that visually blocked the entrance into the room — a sofa in one house and two big upholstered club chairs in the other. Swap the bulky pieces with lighter, airier ones, and rooms become instantly more inviting.
If you are not using one of your rooms, then chances are the furniture plan is off. To check whether the layout is working, ask these questions: Does the room look good? Does it seem balanced, in that nothing overwhelms the room? Is there a surface within reach of most chairs?
Revamp light sources
I have had a couple of clients complain about the lighting (or lack thereof) in their rooms. and the right output of light is one of the most important elements of decorating. A beautiful room can turn ugly in too harsh a light, and daily tasks can be hard to complete in rooms that are too dark. Factor in shorter days, and indoor lighting is all the more essential.
First: Install dimmers everywhere. They’re easy and inexpensive, allow you to moderate brightness so a dining room can be bright enough to complete a school project or dim enough for a cozy dinner party.
Second: Buy the right light bulbs. Even energy-smart bulbs now come in a variety of shades. For my clients, I usually suggest a whiter light for kitchens and a yellower light for living rooms and bedrooms. It comes down to personal preference, so buy a few different bulbs and test them.
Branch out
Flower season may be over (unless you like mums), so try cutting tree branches instead. Branches displayed in a vase give a natural note to your rooms — even without leaves on them — but also add height and drama. Best of all? They’re free. Look for branches that have a sculptural shape, and if you feel crafty, spray-paint them black, silver or a striking color.
