Sunday, Jul. 12, 2009

Small changes can have big impact on home's summer look

Warm weather has a way of making us want to relax. With our home being our primary site of repose, it is only natural that summer would bring longing to spruce up your abode and make it go from humble to high-fashion. But with this economy, those of us that can afford to redecorate are few and far between.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" designer Michael Moloney has put together a few tips to show you how doing small things can help you beautify your home, without burning a hole in your wallet:

Spruce up your space with an accent color. Choosing one accent color to use throughout a room can add a big splash by doing very little. Changing things as small as throw pillows, hand towels or painting an accent wall can really bring a room together for very little cost.

A little lighting can go a long way. Well-placed lighting has the potential to transform a room, indoors or out. Something as small as a candle can give a room a welcoming and cozy feel.

Form and function are key. Form and function dominate current home design, not just with decor but also with appliances and accessories. For example, solar lamps are now being made as tabletop lights that not only offer an evening glow on the deck or patio, but look attractive and require no wiring.

Clean, simple, uncluttered and organized spaces are all key. Cleaning doesn't cost you a thing, and keep your space organized maximizes the way you can use what space you have. Try to avoid clutter by throwing away one unnecessary item each time you go into a drawer or cabinet in a room -- think empty lotion bottles, old receipts, etc.