Out With the Old: Refresh Your Home With Something New

We’re barely into the new year. What have you done so far that’s new?

I see a new year as a new start. The best place to appreciate the value of “new” is by replacing something that is ready to go. It could be on its last legs, which means repair costs are in your future. Maybe the style or color is a bit passé for your current tastes. Quite possibly, you just need to make a change so you can refresh and revive the spirit in your home.

If you’re ready to jump on the “out with the old” bandwagon, here are some ideas to refresh your home with something new.

Appliances. Think about the ways that appliances have advanced since you purchased yours. Smart technology gives you the ability to check your refrigerator inventory while you’re in the grocery store. You can also run two separate loads in a washer at the same time. Or, you might just be ready to replace your range with a cooktop and wall oven. If your major appliances aren’t ready for replacement, look toward improving your small appliances. Manufacturers offer a wide array of colors in stand mixers, hand-mixers, coffee brewers, food processors, blenders. It might also be time to treat yourself to a complete beverage station!

Flooring. When you’re thinking about “out with the old and in with the new”, look down. Are you ready to ditch the carpet in favor of wood flooring? Do your tile floors need a revival? Wood-look floor tile offers the toughness of tile and the realistic look of wood planks. Even if you don’t want to redo your floors, you can change your area rugs to transform the look of a room. 

Walls. Say “goodbye” to your colors of the past and repaint, switch to wallpaper, or a combination of the two. Your walls define the environment in a room, from neutral to vibrant, cottage to contemporary. Browse through magazines and online sites to grab inspiration for making a change. Spend time at the paint store. Bring home samples and explore the possibilities. Warning: Redoing your walls can be habit-forming!

Furniture. Furniture design trends change as much as fashion. From year to year, you’ll discover different styles for every room in your home. Is it time to retire your bedroom set? Treat yourself to new furniture, including a mattress that will improve the quality of your sleep. Now is also a great time to start looking at replacing your patio furniture, so you can welcome springtime with a fresh look for your outdoor living space.

Cabinets. You spend a lot of time in your kitchen, so this room presents a tempting space to infuse something new. Think about how you can change your cabinets without replacing them. Cabinet refacing is a good option. Replace the drawer fronts and doors, maybe adding glass-front doors. Match the cabinet boxes or try a contrasting look (slight or bold). 

You can also change the hardware on your kitchen cabinet doors and drawers. Remember, if the hinges are visible, you might need to change them as well.

Doors. Step outside and look at your front door. Then browse some options. See anything you like? Maybe just paint the front door a different color or replace the hardware. Your curb appeal will be enhanced with this simple change. Your garage door might benefit from a makeover as well. 

Wall décor. The artwork on your walls seems to gradually blend right in. You don’t even notice it any more. You should surround yourself with accents that add to your environment. You might like something hanging on your wall, but does it still impact you? Take it down. Move it to another area. Bring in something that catches your eye. You might even try a wall mural decal, which can be changed with the seasons, occasion, or your mood.

Bedding. There’s nothing that makes a big difference with a simple effort as replacing your bedding. Buy a new comforter or duvet, add decorative pillows, and pamper yourself with new sheets. 

Window treatments. Like wall art, your window treatments become background, no longer making the statement they once did. Pull them down and switch to something more current. Try swapping the drapes for sheers or panels, and change the hardware as well. Replace your blinds with more decorative shades. Try moving up your rod to a foot or more above the top of the window (depending on your ceiling height), which gives the impression on a bigger window.

Light fixtures. Think about how long you’ve had the same light fixtures in your home—probably since you moved in. If anything needs to be refreshed, it’s your lighting! You have the existing wiring, so replacing them is an easy task, and you’ll love the difference that a different light fixture can make. You might also consider adding wall sconces to brighten up dark areas in your home, and dimmers on all your switches to control the ambiance.

Sinks and faucets. Whether in the kitchen or bathroom—or both—a new sink and faucet will refresh the look of the room, and possibly increase the function. You might want a larger, deeper, or different style of sink in your kitchen. Then, add a kitchen faucet with a pull-down spout and touch sensor to make it easier to direct the water flow when your hands are full. Bathroom sinks have come a long way in the past few years, so if you haven’t updated your bathroom in a while, take a look at the current sink trends. You’ll find a wide array of materials being used now, like wood, stone, glass, and metal. It might be time to get rid of your old vanity and dress up a new one with a beautiful new sink and faucet.

The whole house! While you’re looking around your home for things and spaces to replace, ask yourself if really what you need is a new home. In the Oklahoma City region, Homes By Taber would love to welcome you to one of our new home communities. Take a look at our portfolio of floor plans to find your new home. We also have a selection of quick move-in homes that are brand new and ready for you. Contact Homes By Taber to go out with the old and move into something new!