As summer is coming to an end and the school year is approaching, its natural to start thinking of getting “back to the grind” and lets face it, a lot of it can be overwhelming.

Having a well organized and refreshed home might be exactly what you need before taking the plunge into the fall. While it would be nice to do a major renovation, this isn’t always realistic with timing and perhaps not in this years budget and that’s okay! A stunning home can be achieved through any budget and I’m here to tell you how.

1 | Declutter and Get Organized!  

No one likes a cluttered home, not even you! This might seem like a no brainer, but this should be your absolute first step to transforming your home. This can feel like a very overwhelming task, but make a plan to tackle one room at a time. Purge the items you aren’t using anymore, or things you don’t need. Having less stuff will free up more of your storage and allow you to neatly organize the space you have.

Get creative with your storage. I know, we never seem to have enough! No linen closet? Opt for a ladder to hang towels over. Your closet is overflowing with hangers? Install a closet organizer to maximize the space that you have.
Remember, a clean house is a reflection of a clear mind.

2 | Cohesion in Design Style is Key!

Before making any big (or small!) moves, you must nail down the style for your home. The best way to achieve that high end feel is a well curated home with cohesion from one room to another. Start a Pinterest board or create a mood board with magazine clippings. You will start to better understand your style and the design features that pull it all together. Establish a cost effective direction and refer back to your pictures as visual references as you begin your design journey!

3 | Shop Your Own Home!

Now that you have decluttered and purged, you might have found some things that you have forgotten about or simply could repurpose elsewhere. It seems like a given, but trust me on this one. Maybe you have a “love” pile that you couldn’t toss but have no where to keep? Try moving things around and incorporating those pieces into your rooms. Rearrange your furniture and re-style your shelves and decor. You’re already on your way to a refreshed home!

4 | Small Design Changes

Making impactful design decisions doesn’t mean it has to cost a fortune. Simply upgrading your cabinet and door hardware can easily give you the high end feel you’re after. Wall treatments is another huge one. Adding paint or wallpaper can dramatically change your room and overall style of a space. The addition of mouldings, bead-board or shiplap is another cost-effective way to add texture and detail to your space.

Another small but mighty change? Lighting! Perhaps it’s as easy as adding dimmers to your fixtures to create more ambiance in your home. Or, you can look for light fixtures to replace your existing ones which will be sure to add to your design transformation.

5 | Out With The Old, In With The New!

Okay, sometimes we need a new piece or two to make our home feel extra new and fresh! Making sure you purged before brining in new items is so important to not overcrowd a room and begin the cycle of re-cluttering. Think “less is more” when curating your spaces. Try thrifting or your local home goods store for a new furniture piece or decor. I love mixing old and new to give a home the feeling that its been loved and lived in. Keep this in mind while shopping! Lastly, if you have your eye set on something out of budget or maybe its a sought after designer piece, try finding “dupes” through a Google reverse image search! You’re likely going to find exactly what you want for a fraction of the price!