Big changes aren't always necessary to bring the "wow" factor into your room. Little changes can pack a big punch and they are rarely expensive!
- Lighting. Something as inexpensive as a light bulb can change the look and mood of a room instantly. Incandescent light bulbs will produce a warm or yellow cast to the room. But in a room with cool colors, the resulting color rendering is bordering on gray or neutral. Florescent light bulbs can be harsh and cool and you can lose the cozy feel of a warm room. But full spectrum light bulbs (under $10) can render "true" color, improve the visual clarity of the room - making everything appear "sharper" and reduce eye fatigue.
- Pillows. I know, I know! I am always talking about pillows! But they are such a quick and easy way to give instant spark to a room! If you need an accent color to liven a room, just add a few pillows in that color! If you need to bring several colors in the room together to produce a more cohesive look, use a pillow with a print incorporating those colors and voila! Cohesiveness!
- Area rugs. I am not talking about a bunch of little rugs here! One big rug can bring a room together and "ground" the furniture pieces. Multiple little rugs can "chop up" the look of a room! If you have a lot of little rugs in the accent color you want, sew them all together on the backside with heavy duty twine and a big rug needle to create a big rug.
- Collections. Do you have a marble collection? Add the marbles to bowls or jars and group them to create a big, colorful statement! The same can be done with seashells, rocks, or other small objects. For larger items, arrange on shelves or table tops. But remember not to overwhelm the room! There is a fine line between a collection and clutter!
- Mirrors. Mirrors strategically placed can reflect light around the room - making it appear lighter and bigger. Place a mirror behind a favorite object to double its impact. A large mirror on the wall opposite a window can double the light and the feeling of nature in the space.
- Flowers. OK, so maybe these aren't inexpensive, but if you are lucky enough to have a garden, use all the flowers you can to enhance your room. And the smell! Heavenly!
As you can see, it's not hard to add a little pizzazz to your room! Just a few little things here and there and before you know it, you have a showcase for your favorite designer - you!
