Give your home the makeover it deserves without breaking the bank.
New Year marks the beginning of everything. It’s the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button and start fresh. Some jumpstart the new year by changing their haircut, some set new mantras that they will follow through the next 365 days and some will even go to the extremes by making huge lifestyle changes.
While the idea of making those changes sound tempting, we at iProperty.com.my like to think that the new year is the time to spring clean and refresh our living space instead. In the spirit of newness, we asked the interior designers at IQI Concepts on how to refresh your home in 2020. From increasing storage space to adding art decor pieces, here are some tips you can use to kickstart your new year.
1. Add a vertical garden
It’s always a good idea to add greenery to your home. A garden filled with your favourite plants is ideal, but, sadly, not everyone has the luxury of owning a garden, or even a balcony. For those who live in a small studio apartment, consider creating a vertical garden as an alternative way to display your indoor plants. It’s also much more convenient because instead of a large garden, you only need to take care of a single panel. Here’s an extra tip: Grow plants like spider plants and aloe vera to improve air quality at home.
Read more: 6 cheap and fail-proof balcony plants you can grow
2. Install a smart home system
Hey Google, please switch on the lights. Imagine if you could command every nook and cranny of your home with your voice or a single tap on your phone. That’s the future of living. With smart home systems like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Wink Hub getting more and more popular among homeowners, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes a norm. Aside from providing absolute convenience to your life, these smart home systems include security features that will guard your home 24/7. Now you don’t have to protect your home like Kevin in Home Alone anymore – though we must admit his methods are tremendously creative.
Read more: 6 smart homes from Hollywood movies we wished existed
3. Make it green
We’ve been talking about climate change for years now but it’s only recently that people are starting to take it more seriously. Climate change is definitely not an issue that we can solve overnight, but there are simple things we can all do to reduce our carbon footprint. This includes reducing the use of single-use plastics, using energy-efficient light bulbs, installing solar panels, recycling products and opting for green products. These may seem insignificant, but if we do it collectively, then maybe our planet will have a chance to survive for another million years.
Read more: 10 simple ways to start living a zero waste lifestyle
4. Increase storage space
“I have too much storage space at home,” said no one ever. Not having enough storage space can be a pain. On one hand, you want everything at home to be neat and tidy, on the other hand, there just isn’t enough space for you to keep those items away from plain sight. While tackling storage is no easy feat, it’s not rocket science either. All you need to do is to be a little bit more creative with the way you store your items. Hidden spaces like under the staircase, under the bed and behind the door should be fully utilised. Or you know, just build a wall shelf if you have the extra square inch.
5. Add pendant lights
Oftentimes when people are designing their homes, they overlook the lighting. Much like the position of your bed and sofa, having good lighting is crucial to a well-designed home. Instead of going for down or recessed lighting, amp up your home’s interior design with a set of pendant lights which help to elevate the look and feel of the entire area. If budget isn’t an issue, we recommend going for a great piece of lighting like a chandelier to add style and create a focal point in the room.
Read more: 6 lighting tips for every room in your house
6. Update your wall
Instead of refreshing your wall every couple of years with a fresh coat of paint and colour, transform your blank wall by hanging your favourite piece of art (we heard that hanging big art pieces with large frames is in vogue this year) in the living room or dining room, installing wallpaper or you can even create a vertical garden packed with your favourite indoor plants.
7. Upgrade your bathroom
When is the last time you refurbished your bathroom? If the answer is more than five years then maybe it’s time to refresh your bathroom. Start small by changing your old and outdated faucets, shower rod, towel railings and hooks into something a little more sleek and modern. Not only are these little changes quick and inexpensive when done right, but they can also make a big difference to the space.
8. Art deco furniture
Tired of seeing the exact same furniture everywhere? Us too! While shopping at IKEA and other conventional furniture stores is convenient, it also makes home design take on a sad sameness. If you’re looking for something fresh and original, go for art deco-inspired furniture. It can give the whole living space a touch of glamour and it’s a great way to add character to a bland room.