Statistics show that about 10.5 million homes in the United States are around two to three decades old. This means that the common age bracket for houses in the United States is between 20 and 31 years.
Not everyone has the budget or privilege to do a complete renovation or overhaul, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could somehow incorporate the gorgeous trends we see on platforms like the Spruce and Architectural Digest? Fortunately, while we may never be able to afford to make our homes look like a celebrity owns them, there are simple things we can do to give our house an instant update.
If your home is on the older side and you want to update it without doing a massive overhaul, here are some simple projects and upgrades you can do to modernize it.
1. Incorporate indoor plants
One of the biggest home trends of the past few years is indoor plants, which was accelerated by the pandemic as so many people discovered their need to nurture a living thing while being cooped up at home. But more than the lifestyle aspect of caring for indoor plants, they are a simple way to make our homes look modern and more vibrant than it is.
Make sure to look for the types of plants that will thrive best in your interiors’ conditions. For example, if your home has plenty of natural light, make sure to look for potted plants that thrive best in the sun. On the flip side, if your home is on the dimmer side, opt for indoor plants known for growing well even with minimal sunlight.
2. Add a kitchen island
Another marker of a home built in the past decade is the kitchen island. If your kitchen has only ever had a breakfast table, consider switching it out for an island of some sort, especially one that is portable if your space is on the tighter side. Using a basic table won’t let you maximize your space, and it doesn’t look the most modern or contemporary. Moreover, it will provide you with more room to prepare your meals before you do the actual cooking. For the countertop, use a durable and easy-to-clean material, preferably one you can also use for the floors, like a sealed epoxy floor. Keeping your countertop and floors uniform will make everything look cohesive and balanced.
3. Opt for a trendy color palette
Do not underestimate the power of a good paint job. If your walls are still filled with your grandmother’s wallpaper from the ’90s (not that there’s anything wrong with that), now may be the time to tear that wallpaper down and repaint it with a shade that’s straight from Vogue Living. Here are the trendiest paint colors, according to some experts:
- October mist
- Raccoon fur
- White dove
- Gray owl
- Gloucester sage
- Wild flower
- High park
- Pale moon
- Venetian portico
- Steam
- Natural linen
- Morning dew
- Fernwood green
- Collector’s item
- Quiet moments
- Hint of violet
- Mysterious
These colors are neutral, but they are cool to the eyes and provide a feeling of serenity to the viewer. If you want to give your home an instant upgrade, then consider repainting your walls and having your furniture reupholstered into these trendy colors.
4. Find ways to open it up
If your home is not an open space, one of the hallmarks of modern interior, you can still open it up without tearing down walls. Remember that one of the best ways to make your home look like it was built in this century is by making the interiors bigger. That said, here are the simplest ways you can achieve this goal without converting it into an open concept and doing a massive renovation:
- Consider opting for a big glass door or window that opens up the outdoor living space. It’s a simple way to make your indoor living space appear endless, and this strategy is even more effective if your home is surrounded by greenery and trees.
- Update your window treatments to open up your home to more natural light.
- Cleaning and painting are effortless and relatively affordable ways to open up your home, so consider doing a major declutter session and paint job for a few weeks.
You can always make the most out of what you have, no matter your budget. While you won’t have to break the bank, you’ll still need a bit of work on your end. Consider these steps and pointers to make your home appear newer and younger than it is and fall in love with it all over again.
