How to Revive a Tired Interior? 5 Designer Tips

No matter how you bought your apartment: with a renovation from the developer or on the secondary market — often there is a need to quickly improve the design. This problem may arise in your long-term apartment as well. What to do if you don't have money, time and energy for a full renovation? Secrets of reviving a stale renovation are shared by designer Daria Ermak.

Daria Ermak — a designer and founder of her own studio "Where is the renovation".

Walls

Changing wall color is an excellent solution for a budget-friendly renovation update. It's better to choose light beige or gray tones: they are easier to combine with existing furniture and look light and pleasant. Of course, you can choose any color, but it's important that it harmonizes with the floor covering because replacing the floor implies a full renovation.

Choose paint with minimal shine, more matte — such walls always look great. If the existing walls are prepared for painting, costs will be minimal; however, if you have wallpaper, it needs to be removed and the walls prepared smooth. I had experience painting over textured decorative plaster — this can also turn out interesting and stylish.

Furniture

New upholstery on furniture can perfectly refresh your renovation. Companies or private craftsmen can reupholster old sofas, armchairs and even beds. This will be far cheaper than buying new furniture. Fabrics should be chosen specifically for furniture: they have greater density and durability.

Today there are even "anti-vandal" fabrics that won't let your pet leave claw marks and won't absorb spilled juice or wine on the sofa. With such fabric, your favorite sofa or armchair will serve you for many more years. According to my experience, familiar furniture that suddenly becomes beautiful and bright brings customers into full ecstasy.

Textiles

Curtains, sofa cushions, throws — all of this adds coziness and helps make the renovation more stylish. You can alternate textiles depending on the season: winter — heavy knitted items, summer — light ones with bright prints. Textiles can be used to set color accents or matched in a common color palette. For example, textiles can give a Christmas vibe by adding several elements with holiday prints.

Paintings and Posters

This is the most budget-friendly option that not only revives an interior but also adds individuality to it. Frames of various sizes are sold in any building supply superstores and decor shops. Posters can be found according to your taste online, and printed at any copy center with wide-format printing. In my practice, there were cases when we decorated walls with the customer's creativity — children’s drawings, travel photos — this always looks great.

Accent Decor

The times when it was trendy to display all the sets on shelves have long passed. Small souvenirs and mismatched knick-knacks on open shelves become visual noise. It's better to remove unnecessary items not only from the shelves but also throughout the apartment, and fill empty space with several accent details: place a fashionable floor lamp next to the sofa, add a large floor vase with pampas grass and several modern design decorative figurines. A good option, by the way, would be bookshelves with books in monochromatic covers.

Replacing Light Fixtures

Chandeliers and wall sconces tend to become outdated quickly in design and appearance, especially if it was an ultra-modern chandelier: such options usually become outdated within five years. Replace them with currently popular models and notice how your interior will freshen up. Today minimalist light fixtures without unnecessary details are in demand.

Upholstering furniture, placing bright accents in decor and even painting walls can be done affordably and quickly. Joy and inspiration from a new setting will definitely be more valuable.