Perk Up Your Home – My Cheap Tricks

Trending, but not trendy, a distressed patterned area rug is the perfect starting point for any upgrade. I like the selection & quality on Wayfair, but Amazon also has many options.

This rug can be used on its own or can be layered under or over a textured rug, like Jute or Sisal. Layered or not, choosing a medium pile will ensure it won’t catch in doorways. If laying directly on a wood floor, be sure to look for an anti-slip backing or invest in a good pad.

What a difference a few strategically placed plants make! I’ve been impressed with the quality of the faux plants available these days – they look so real! If you’re one of those lucky people with a green thumb then by all means, go with real plants. The rest of us will make do with the huge variety (many come in cute planters!) available on Amazon or at any home décor store.

I’m always amazed at how expensive mirrors are, so I was excited to discover the multitude of options for framing an existing plain Jane, builder-basic mirror. PVC, wood, frosted appliques, metal-look, tile-the list keeps going! The best part: these frames are DIY-friendly with peel & stick moisture-proof backing that allows you to apply them directly to your existing mirror & reposition them as needed. The style options are plentiful: traditional, modern/contemporary, rustic, farmhouse; something for everyone!

I’m a BIG fan of dimmer switches (just ask my bestie Rachel). There isn’t a room in your home that can’t benefit from one of these babies. This one from KASA, available from Amazon, is my favorite. Not only does it create instant mood lighting, but you can also control it with your voice if you have Alexa, Google Assistant, or the free smartphone app AND you can set your lights on a schedule to turn on & off even when you’re not at home! Recessed lights, LED undercabinet lights, fixtures hanging over your dining tables, even guest bathroom lights get an instant update when you can control the level of lighting needed for the function at any given time.

One of my go-to tricks to update my own home is to swap pillow covers & a few key accessories each season. This simple & inexpensive move brings new life to rooms at least 4 times each year & keeps me from getting bored with my surroundings. Swap a mantel mirror with a colorful piece of art, dark candlesticks for crisp white, winter photos for summer vacation favorites. These CaliTime covers from Amazon come in 14 colors & several sizes. All 4 seasons are represented; sold in sets of 2.

Gamechanger. That’s the word I’d use to describe the impact today’s peel & stick wallpaper has on your ability to instantly transform a room. Use it anywhere you want to add design or texture to a plain wall. All over in a powder room, an accent wall in a dining room or bedroom; give an uninspired laundry room a playful purpose. This stuff can even be used to update a piece of furniture! The best part – you don’t have to hire an expensive installer. If your walls are prepped (clean & at least one coat of paint) two people are all it takes to add instant life to a room. The paper is easy to reposition while hanging & if you grow tired of the pattern, peel, prep & repeat!