Do you set up your home in a way that’s more or less permanent? Or do you get the itch to move things around every few months (if not weeks)? I love to change things around even if it’s something small or not obvious. It is pleasing to see, and because it’s a change for your eye, you actually notice it instead of glaze over it.

Living in smaller apartments doesn’t give you a lot of room to play around, but you can keep things fresh by updating your decor once in a while. It doesn’t have to be a big change or an expensive one. I know some people keep a separate cupboard just to store knick-knacks that they rotate throughout the year.

If you want to update your home decor and want some ideas, here are six ideas that will help you out.

Get movable furniture instead of fixed furniture

Fixed furniture ties you down. Apart from main wardrobes and kitchen cabinets, everything else should be movable and replaceable. Fixed bed frames and study tables don’t give you a lot of leeway in rearranging or updating the room. Also, if the room’s purpose or the user’s need changes, it becomes a big hassle to remove or repurpose the fixed furniture.

Check out my post on how we updated our son’s bedroom through his growing stages.

Soft furnishings make a big difference

Never underestimate the power of soft furnishings in home decor. With just a few select pieces, you can change the ambience of your house. Sofas with removable covers can be washed and changed according to seasons. Throws and cushion covers can also brighten up your living space. Curtains, table linen, and runners on console tables also enhance your colour schemes. Area rugs add warmth to any room, especially if you have beige tiled flooring that is common in most apartments. Coordinate these items according to your colour scheme and marvel at the difference it makes!

Seasonal themes

Change up your decor from light and breezy in the summers, to warm and cosy in the winters. If you live in a city that experiences vast temperature variations, it’s necessary to prepare your home for the changing season. In southern cities where it’s pleasant, not cold in the winter months, a warm colour scheme and a throw on the sofa give a homely feel and make you want to cuddle up with a warm drink. During the festive season, add little vignettes around the house to remind you of the festival you’re celebrating. Candles, reed diffusers, trays, figurines, coffee table books, and floral arrangements could be used for this.

Wall decor—minimalist or bohemian

Your living room design should take into account your personality and lifestyle. If you’re an art enthusiast or someone who loves modern art, for instance, then you might want to go with something bold and eye-catching. Perhaps incorporating bright colours in the form of an abstract painting would be just what your home needs. For lightweight frames, I prefer to use command hooks and strips. They let you change around your wall decor without damaging your walls. If the strips on different items are at the same distance, you can even swap them out.

Check out my post on arranging a gallery wall for some ideas to get you started.

Deck it up with plants

I am just about figuring out how to keep plants alive and well. Some plants do well indoors with plenty of indirect sunlight. Since my inner rooms don’t get a lot of natural light, I have many plants in the living room and some low light plants like the ZZ plant in the bedroom.  Even without flowering plants, you can bring a lot of character to your space with bright foliage. A couple of different types of philodendrons can add some vibrancy to your room and they are easy to maintain.

Wall colour change for maximum impact

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You can’t change the wall colour every season, obviously, but a change in colour scheme or adding a highlight wall can make a big difference every few years. This colour should be easy to live with and go well with the natural light in your home. 

When we had shifted into our current home, we wanted it to be bright and colourful. We opted for a combo of yellow and seafoam in the living room and similar tones in the bedrooms. It felt cheerful. When it was time to repaint, we wanted a simpler look. So we opted for a bright white, with only the furnishings and wall art bringing in the colours.

You can compare how much of a difference just one change made to the feel of the house. 

Which one do you prefer? Let me know in the comments.