The Home Front: Quick and easy home decor hacks

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When you decide it’s time for a home refresh, the high-traffic areas of your home where there’s a lot of activity are the spaces you notice the most.

If you’re replacing worn materials, used furniture, or broken components, take this opportunity to update the style, colour, comfort or quality as well, says Lydia Thammavong, head of design, styles and trends at Rona. You can easily get rid of marks and dents on your walls with a bit of putty, a coat of paint, some wallpaper or deco panels. A new colour or pattern can give these areas a fresh take.

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Thammavong says that checking in each season (or at least mid-year) with some quick changes is a good time frame.

“This can include bedding, accent pillows, throws, rugs, curtains and towels. Lighter fabrics, colours and prints for spring and summer or warmer, heavier, darker colours and prints for fall and winter. Let’s not forget to decorate for Halloween and Christmas to give your home a welcoming and cheerful mood.”

Warm neutrals and earthy tones like warm greys and browns, green, ochre and mustard are the colours trending in throw pillows at the moment. And woven, natural fibres that add texture and coziness to any decor are also very popular, says Thammavong.

Where to look for inspiration?

Social media and home design magazines are helpful for inspiration and can give you good ideas, says Thammavong.

“I also like to look at high-end stores as they often have a trend or decor inspiration section. Star designers, architects and design firms are also a sure bet for great ideas,” she says, and also recommends Rona’s Workshop content for info on current trends, inspiration and DIY.

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Doorknobs and drawer pulls

Thammavong says buttons and cups give a vintage vibe when choosing doorknobs and drawer pulls. For a clean and modern esthetic, go for slim drawer pulls and doorknobs.

Mixing shapes can be pretty fun, but stick to the same finish for a consistent look. The dimensions of the hardware should be proportional to the size of the drawer, she explains.

Peel-and-stick tiles

Using peel-and-stick wallpaper or tiles is an easy upgrade in certain areas of your home, but make sure you go for quality. Foliage and floral wallpapers are on trend right now.

“Textured neutral wallpaper is also popular as it plays on the same theme but delivers more discreet visual interest,” says Thammavong.

Clear out before you begin

If you want to feel better about any area of your home, decluttering and sorting out your storage is an excellent place to begin. Start with one room at a time, or even a section of a room, like a closet, to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

“Have a box for things to give away and another for what you are keeping, and organize them by category. Once you are left with what you want to keep, you can more quickly put everything back because you already had sorted things by category,” she says.

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Everything in your home should have a dedicated place if you want to keep things organized. And if something comes in, a good rule is something goes out.

Area rugs can make a huge difference

The right rug can instantly refresh any area of your home. When choosing one, consider the room’s dimensions and placement of furniture, says Thammavong.

In living rooms, a common approach is to select a rug large enough for all the furniture’s front legs to rest on it, creating a cohesive look. For smaller living rooms, a rug that fits just under the coffee table and leaves some floor space around it can work well.

In dining rooms, the rug should be large enough to accommodate the dining table and all chair legs, even when the chairs are pulled out.

“For bedrooms, a rug that extends at least two feet beyond the bed on either side offers comfort and balances the room. In hallways or entryways, long and narrow runners are ideal,” says Thammavong.

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