8 Fast Decorating Fixes
Need a quick revamp? Designers share their easy home updates and decorating ideas for spicing up your rooms.
1. Put Out Fun Candy
"Colored candy in a glass bowl instantly invites people into a room." -Amanda Nisbet
See More: 101 Easy Home Makeover Ideas
2. Snuff Out Candle-Style Lightbulbs
"Create a more modern mood by using clear, round bulbs instead of the traditional candle-style bulbs in your chandeliers." -Angie Hranowsky
3. Create a Border
"If you live in a ho-hum space without any architectural details like crown moldings or substantial baseboards, do what I did: Apply a 1" tape to the perimeter of your ceiling to draw your eye upward - you can buy inexpensive masking tape in an art supply store, in an array of colors. Inset the tape 1" to 1½" away from the wall. Be sure to follow any natural turns that result from soffits or columns. The result is a crisp, clean outline that adds height and defines the space." -Jonathan Rosen
See More: Beautiful Designer Bedrooms
4. Change Your Lampshades
"Like pillows, lampshades require only a minimal amount of yardage to execute, but contribute a disproportionate amount of punch to any space. Colored, patterned lampshades are among my reliably quick fixes." -Kathryn M. Ireland
5. Use a Mirror in an Unexpected Way
"I just bought a cheap starburst mirror, gilded parts of it to make it look richer, and screwed it to the ceiling. You walk into the room and see this delicate mirror on the ceiling, and it's magic." -Benjamin Dhong
Plus:Take a Tour of a California House
6. Bring in One Modern Piece
"To modernize a traditional, old-world room, all you need is a new stainless-steel table, a glass lamp, or a contemporary chair. You don't have to change the whole room." -Ginger Barber
See More: Amazing Designer Bathrooms
7. Frame a Favorite Image
"There is no reason to limit picture frames to family photos. Print out a copy of your favorite painting and put it in a frame on your desk. It will brighten your mood every time you see it." -Timothy Corrigan
8. Update Hardware
"Invest a few hundred dollars to update your kitchen or bath hardware. It only takes about an hour to change out an entire kitchen, and it will look like you renovated. My new favorite bargain source is schoolhouseelectric.com." -Ashley Whittaker
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