In the first season of “Ty Breaker,” host Ty Pennington has seen a lot of small homes and a lot of damaged homes—but his latest house is both tiny and a total mess.
In the episode “A Sizable Renovation,” Pennington and guest designer Sabrina Soto set out to help Wendy and Evan, newlyweds who’ve recently bought an abandoned, partly demolished wreck of a house.
Pennington and Soto will need to spend their $200,000 budget wisely in order to turn this shack into the cute, functional honeymoon home this couple desires. Here’s how they pull it off, which might inspire some changes around your own home to make the most of your space, too.
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Make your front porch feel like a bonus room
This porch is like an outdoor bonus room!
HGTV
There’s no denying that Wendy and Evan’s house is short on space, and there’s only so much that Soto and Pennington can do to make the living room seem bigger. So these two decide to expand the living space—right out the front door!
Pennington decides to make the front porch feel like a bonus room by updating the flooring to make it a bit more stylish and adding a daybed for comfy sitting.
“Making this another living space would be key,” Soto says when Pennington describes his plan.
Luckily, the furnishings and flooring make this porch feel like a real living room. This reimagined porch proves that outside space can be incredibly valuable for a small house.
Picking a door color is one of the ‘toughest’ design decisions
This porch needed some work.
HGTV
As a part of the front porch rehab, Soto and Pennington want to install a new front door, which means they’ll need to decide on a paint color that will work with this home’s 1920s exterior.
“One of the toughest things to decide on the exterior of your home is the exterior color of your front door,” Pennington says. “There’s only certain colors that really work with brick.”
A great front porch needs a great front door color.
HGTV
Soto and Pennington both like a blue shade and a green shade, with Pennington pointing out that they’re both muted enough to be good front door colors. But in the end, they choose the green. This color works great with the exterior brick, and it complements all the beautiful greenery that Soto and Pennington add to the porch.
Create a space-saving, fold-down office
This living room also functions as an office.
HGTV
These days, plenty of people are working from home—and Wendy is no exception. When she first meets Pennington, she explains that she works from her tiny kitchen table, which feels cramped.
So Pennington creates a compact desk in the living room, building a window shelf that folds out into a table. Pennington points out that this will be a great desk space, with a great view. Plus, it’ll be a convenient shelf when Wendy isn’t working.
“It’s like a little hidden office area,” Soto says.
This shelf quickly turns into an office.
HGTV
To finish the desk space, Pennington adds a bench with a hidden compartment. He points out that when Wendy is done with work, she can store her work stuff in the bench.
In the end, it’s a brilliant home office that appears (and disappears) depending on what the space is being used for at that time.
Use dark flooring to offset an all-white kitchen
When renovation started, this didn’t look like a kitchen.
HGTV
Wendy tells Pennington that she really wants an all-white kitchen, but Pennington knows that the space will need some color, even if it’s not coming from the quartz counters or cabinets. So he decides to bring in a dark wood flooring.
“The dark flooring would look really good with a white-white kitchen,” Pennington says, “because you’re going to get a nice strong contrast.”
These dark floors provide some contrast to the all-white kitchen.
HGTV
The kitchen ends up looking great. The space is filled with all-white materials, just like Wendy wanted, but the dark floors keep it from looking washed out. The space ends up looking bright and well-balanced.
Bring some life to the kitchen with a mini greenhouse
This window shelf provides the perfect spot for some beautiful greenery.
HGTV
When the kitchen is just about finished, Soto has an idea to add a small shelf to the window over the sink. She thinks a clear, glass shelf will fill out the space nicely and provide some extra storage.
“The other good news about having a clear glass shelf is that light comes all the way through,” Pennington says, “so you could actually have [a] double herb garden.”
They finish this kitchen by adding little plants to this window. The greenery looks great in the all-white kitchen, plus the mini herb garden will be convenient for cooking with fresh herbs.
Painting a room’s walls is the easiest DIY makeover under the sun—but want to try something a bit bolder and fun? Consider colorblocking instead.
“Colorblocking is about creatively pairing two or more shades—or blocks of color—to make a unique statement on a wall, ceiling, door, or other home surface, and it’s a trend that can be accomplished by DIYers and pros alike,” says Dee Schlotter, a PPG senior color marketing manager.
“These geometric fields of color, which are usually separated by neutral zones, can serve to punctuate or establish a color plan for your space, sort of like accent walls taken to an extreme,” adds Debra Kling of the eponymous color consulting firm.
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And if you see hints of modern art or connections to the fashion world in colorblocking, you’re on the right track. Kling considers Mondrian to be the master of this technique, and colorblocked frocks were debuted by Yves St. Laurent in the 1940s and have been trending ever since.
Here’s more about colorblocking, including how-to’s, shade pairings, and where to try this technique in your home.
Gather the gear
Photo by Studio Razavi
Painter’s tape is critical for this task as you’ll need to section off the various colors you want to use and create clean lines, says Schlotter.
“Using a high-quality roller and a smaller paint brush to ‘cut in’ to the smaller details or corners of the colorblocked design will also help ensure a polished look,” she adds.
Relearn the color wheel
Photo by mcleanquinlan
If using a color wheel is making your head spin, get some help from the pros.
“PPG has virtual color consultations to help you choose paint for colorblocking and other home projects,” notes Schlotter.
Once you’ve shared photos of your space and color preferences, experts can text, email, or FaceTime their recommendations and assist with ordering swatches or buying paint.
Match shades with moods
Photo by Inspired Interiors
Bright shades behind a den’s bookcases are energetic, while softer tones create a sense of calm.
“If you want to instill restfulness in your bedroom, consider a halfway-up-the-wall technique by painting the upper portion in a warm hue and the bottom in a darker, moodier version,” says Schlotter.
You can also create a headboard in a bedroom with colorblocking or make an impact by defining shapes behind bedside tables or dressers.
Let loose in kids rooms
Photo by colorTHEORY Boston
“Colorblocking works very well in a child’s room because it adds personality and more visual interest beyond using just a single color,” says Schlotter.
Blocked primary colors on walls are typical in kids rooms, but other combos can also playfully decorate the ceiling, bookcases, and floors.
“For a playroom, consider painting a geometric shape like a diagonal across an entire wall with a bright color on one half and a neutral on the other,” Schlotter adds.
Save paler shades for higher up on the walls, and use darker ones, like navy, lower to the ground as they’ll serve to hide dirt and scuffs that’ll no doubt appear here.
Highlight unusual features
Soft pink follows this doorway’s curvy line.
Alexandra Ribar
Colorblocking can also create a focal point by showcasing molding or other architectural detail.
“Leanne Ford recently put this technique into play on an arched doorway project using a sandy pink hue to create a playful stripe and her go-to Delicate White (PPG 1001-1) to brighten the walls behind it,” says Schlotter.
Create a room with blocked color
Photo by Achille à Paris
Colorblocking with bold paint can create rooms where none existed before by marking off spaces for different tasks. Pull up a desk and chair to a bold purple shape and a home office is born—or do the same near your kitchen for a breakfast nook or in a hallway to make a cozy reading corner.
Your house should make you feel welcomed as soon as you step through the door, but this feeling isn’t something that always happens on its own. Once the movers have left, and the chaos of moving has calmed down, it’s time to start focusing on putting down roots in your new space to help make your new house a home.
There are many ways to invoke the cozy, warm feeling that makes a house a home without a complete remodel or shopping spree. So, whether you just moved into your new home in Boston, MA, or need to personalize your studio in Albany, NY, here are 15 simple ideas you can use so your house can start feeling like a proper home.
1) Create an inviting entryway
The front door and entryway can set the mood of your entire home. After all, it’s the first thing you see when you and your guests first step into your space. Make your front entrance more inviting by keeping it clear of leaves and debris and accessorize with a welcome mat and a few potted plants. Adding a bench or a clothes rack will also help keep your entryway neat and tidy, plus it makes a great first impression. Equally, painting the front door can give your house a fresh, new look in one afternoon. Feel free to choose a fun, contrasting color that aligns with your style.
2) Make your home more zen
Turning your house into a home starts with ensuring that you feel instantly at peace when you enter a room. But if you’re having difficulty feeling relaxed, there may be particular reasons why. If the sight of a messy, disorganized room is causing you stress, you might want to start decluttering and letting go of items that don’t bring you joy. Choosing random decor items to fill up empty spaces in your home can make a space feel cramped, and can add too many contrasts between your wall colors or furnishings. When choosing decor, artwork, or pictures, be sure to pick items that have special meaning to you. By identifying the areas in your home causing you stress, you can begin making your home a more zen space.
3) Improve your living space with home upgrades
Upgrading spaces in your home can go a long way in making you feel more settled. Bathrooms and kitchens are high-traffic areas in a home, so prioritizing home upgrades in these areas can ensure that you’re tackling the places that make the biggest impact. Installing new appliances can give your kitchen a facelift, but if you’re working with a smaller budget, select the most outdated or worn-looking one and replace it. Likewise, swapping out an old showerhead with one that has better water pressure can instantly elevate space and improve the quality of life in your home.
4) Use cozy area rugs to help make a house feel like home
An area rug can instantly warm up a space and make it more inviting. Area rugs can help ground furniture, and an artistically designed rug can also add more interest to a space. When selecting a rug, take the room’s size and arrangement into account. Ensure all of your furniture is on the area rug or at least touching a portion of the rug to give the space a cohesive look.
5) Dressing up empty walls with artwork
Blank walls can add an unfinished element to your house, preventing your house from feeling truly lived in. Displaying your favorite pieces of art can act as the finishing element to pull a space together and make a house a home. And the best part is that it’s a budget-friendly way to complete a room. When selecting your artwork, keep the room’s function, size, and decor style in mind. After that, you have the freedom to choose artwork that you love and will be happily displayed in your home.
For living rooms and areas where guests spend the most time, choose a large-scale piece as a focal point or incorporate multiple art pieces into a gallery wall. Pieces with soothing, cool-toned colors and abstract prints are great additions for areas for relaxation like a den or bedroom.
6) Bring nature inside with indoor plants
Indoor plants don’t just add a pop of greenery to a space, they can also breathe life into a dull room. Houseplants help us feel more relaxed and can even improve our home’s indoor air quality. They come in various shapes, colors, and sizes, so if you live in a shady studio in Portland, OR with only a few windows, or a home with lots of natural light in Seattle, Washington, you can still find ways to incorporate plants into your decor.
For home offices or areas with low light in your home, stick to low-maintenance plants like lucky bamboo or succulents. These plants are compact enough to keep on a desk or side table and thrive in shaded areas. To add drama to larger rooms, such as living or dining rooms, money trees or fiddle leaf figs are great statement plant options. Plus, the right planter can add another design element to your home.
7) Keep the clutter to a minimum
Identifying the key areas in your space that you’ll keep tidy will make life in your home more pleasant. It’s easy to believe in the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality when decluttering, but actively keeping your living area clean will allow you to fully relax in your space without being constantly stressed by the sight of messy areas. Instead of stowing items that are no longer used in designated “junk drawers,” take the time to go through and pick out items that no longer have sentimental value, use, or have similar functions to items you already have. And if the thought of decluttering your home is too daunting, consider hiring a professional organizing service to help you get your space in order.
8) Add scented candles or diffusers
A house filled with inviting smells can instantly make a house feel like home. With various candles, diffusers, and scent plug-ins available on the market, there’s no shortage of ways to make your home smell good. Choose your favorite and fill your home with the aroma of sweet vanilla, sharp citrus, or fresh linens in minutes. For more natural smelling scents, you can opt for essential oils, such as lavender or jasmine, which comes with the benefits of being natural stress relievers.
9) Make a house a home by layering the lighting
Lighting plays a significant role in affecting a room’s mood and is an essential design element when making a house feel like a home. If your house feels dark and cramped, you can switch up your lighting by adding and layering light sources to make it feel more warm and welcoming. While brighter lights are needed to illuminate kitchens and workspaces, using fluorescent overhead lighting in living rooms or dens can make the space appear harsh. Instead, opt for ambient light sources that use mellower, warmer lighting. Wall sconces, table, or floor lamps are excellent ambient lighting sources that can cast a warm, cozy glow on any room.
10) Frame your windows with curtains
Window curtains are great accent pieces in a room. Replacing them is an easy way to switch up the room’s look and add a lived-in look to any space in one easy step. Personalize your windows by adding new window dressings to instantly warm up your home and showcase your style. Not only does adding beautiful curtains or shades improve your home’s appearance, they can also decorate blank walls, separate a room into sections, or even create fun little reading nooks in children’s bedrooms.
11) Showcase family mementos or antiques
Make your house feel like home by incorporating sentimental pieces in your decor, such as family mementos or antiques, to personalize your space. As you plan the display locations for your keepsakes, group related items together to help create a cohesive look in your home design. Items such as wedding photos, important documents, or certificates can be grouped in a gallery wall, while trophies or souvenirs can be displayed on a shelf together.
When displaying sentimental photos, pick frames that can protect the paper from damage or fading from ultraviolet (UV) rays over time. If you’re planning on including antiques or other precious items as decor, consider purchasing shadow boxes or display cases for them. Cases will protect the objects from harm and prevent dust or grime from settling on the fragile objects.
12) Freshen up your home with a coat of paint
Painting your walls can give your space an instant facelift and can go a long way in refreshing a home. Plus, it’s a great way to customize your home and make it your own. If you’re not ready to undertake an entire painting project, you can pick smaller areas in your home, like a bedroom or powder room. You can even opt to paint a few accent walls throughout your home to warm up the space and give it pops of color.
13) Personalize your shelves with books
A stack of well-loved paperbacks or a decorative coffee table book is a great way to bring personal touches into your home. Books are an easy and budget-friendly way to embellish your decor and can be used as statement accessories to pull a space together. And, the sight of a filled bookshelf can instantly give a room a homey feel. If you have an extensive book collection, use a blank wall in your home to create a book wall by displaying them in a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. You can also choose books with decorative covers or colorful spines to brighten up your decor.
14) Add warmth with comfy bedding
The right bedding can instantly make your room look decorated and homey if you can’t decorate the whole room right away. If your room has a bold paint color, using neutral-colored bedding can add texture while also creating depth and interest to your space. Alternatively, if your room has a neutral color palette, you can play around with different colors or patterns in your bedding.
When creating the ultimate comfy bedroom, one can’t forget the textiles to transform a bare bedroom. Adorning your bedroom with soft throws- chenille or faux fur are great options – and fluffy pillows can instantly add a cozy touch to any space, making your bedroom feel more welcoming.
15) Finally, make a house a home by setting up a hobby area
Whether your hobby is painting, reading, or even solving puzzles, make room for it. Dedicating a space in your home, like a nook or bonus room, for your hobbies will not only make it easier to do what you love, but it allows your personality and interests to shine throughout your home. Not to mention, having an area to yourself can allow you to concentrate on doing what you love all while making your house feel more like a home.
Your house should make you feel welcomed as soon as you step through the door, but this feeling isn’t something that always happens on its own. Once the movers have left, and the chaos of moving has calmed down, it’s time to start focusing on putting down roots in your new space to help make your new house a home.
There are many ways to invoke the cozy, warm feeling that makes a house a home without a complete remodel or shopping spree. So, whether you just moved into your new home in Boston, MA, or need to personalize your studio in Albany, NY, here are 15 simple ideas you can use so your house can start feeling like a proper home.
1) Create an inviting entryway
The front door and entryway can set the mood of your entire home. After all, it’s the first thing you see when you and your guests first step into your space. Make your front entrance more inviting by keeping it clear of leaves and debris and accessorize with a welcome mat and a few potted plants. Adding a bench or a clothes rack will also help keep your entryway neat and tidy, plus it makes a great first impression. Equally, painting the front door can give your house a fresh, new look in one afternoon. Feel free to choose a fun, contrasting color that aligns with your style.
2) Make your home more zen
Turning your house into a home starts with ensuring that you feel instantly at peace when you enter a room. But if you’re having difficulty feeling relaxed, there may be particular reasons why. If the sight of a messy, disorganized room is causing you stress, you might want to start decluttering and letting go of items that don’t bring you joy. Choosing random decor items to fill up empty spaces in your home can make a space feel cramped, and can add too many contrasts between your wall colors or furnishings. When choosing decor, artwork, or pictures, be sure to pick items that have special meaning to you. By identifying the areas in your home causing you stress, you can begin making your home a more zen space.
3) Improve your living space with home upgrades
Upgrading spaces in your home can go a long way in making you feel more settled. Bathrooms and kitchens are high-traffic areas in a home, so prioritizing home upgrades in these areas can ensure that you’re tackling the places that make the biggest impact. Installing new appliances can give your kitchen a facelift, but if you’re working with a smaller budget, select the most outdated or worn-looking one and replace it. Likewise, swapping out an old showerhead with one that has better water pressure can instantly elevate space and improve the quality of life in your home.
4) Use cozy area rugs to help make a house feel like home
An area rug can instantly warm up a space and make it more inviting. Area rugs can help ground furniture, and an artistically designed rug can also add more interest to a space. When selecting a rug, take the room’s size and arrangement into account. Ensure all of your furniture is on the area rug or at least touching a portion of the rug to give the space a cohesive look.
5) Dressing up empty walls with artwork
Blank walls can add an unfinished element to your house, preventing your house from feeling truly lived in. Displaying your favorite pieces of art can act as the finishing element to pull a space together and make a house a home. And the best part is that it’s a budget-friendly way to complete a room. When selecting your artwork, keep the room’s function, size, and decor style in mind. After that, you have the freedom to choose artwork that you love and will be happily displayed in your home.
For living rooms and areas where guests spend the most time, choose a large-scale piece as a focal point or incorporate multiple art pieces into a gallery wall. Pieces with soothing, cool-toned colors and abstract prints are great additions for areas for relaxation like a den or bedroom.
6) Bring nature inside with indoor plants
Indoor plants don’t just add a pop of greenery to a space, they can also breathe life into a dull room. Houseplants help us feel more relaxed and can even improve our home’s indoor air quality. They come in various shapes, colors, and sizes, so if you live in a shady studio in Portland, OR with only a few windows, or a home with lots of natural light in Seattle, Washington, you can still find ways to incorporate plants into your decor.
For home offices or areas with low light in your home, stick to low-maintenance plants like lucky bamboo or succulents. These plants are compact enough to keep on a desk or side table and thrive in shaded areas. To add drama to larger rooms, such as living or dining rooms, money trees or fiddle leaf figs are great statement plant options. Plus, the right planter can add another design element to your home.
7) Keep the clutter to a minimum
Identifying the key areas in your space that you’ll keep tidy will make life in your home more pleasant. It’s easy to believe in the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality when decluttering, but actively keeping your living area clean will allow you to fully relax in your space without being constantly stressed by the sight of messy areas. Instead of stowing items that are no longer used in designated “junk drawers,” take the time to go through and pick out items that no longer have sentimental value, use, or have similar functions to items you already have. And if the thought of decluttering your home is too daunting, consider hiring a professional organizing service to help you get your space in order.
8) Add scented candles or diffusers
A house filled with inviting smells can instantly make a house feel like home. With various candles, diffusers, and scent plug-ins available on the market, there’s no shortage of ways to make your home smell good. Choose your favorite and fill your home with the aroma of sweet vanilla, sharp citrus, or fresh linens in minutes. For more natural smelling scents, you can opt for essential oils, such as lavender or jasmine, which comes with the benefits of being natural stress relievers.
9) Make a house a home by layering the lighting
Lighting plays a significant role in affecting a room’s mood and is an essential design element when making a house feel like a home. If your house feels dark and cramped, you can switch up your lighting by adding and layering light sources to make it feel more warm and welcoming. While brighter lights are needed to illuminate kitchens and workspaces, using fluorescent overhead lighting in living rooms or dens can make the space appear harsh. Instead, opt for ambient light sources that use mellower, warmer lighting. Wall sconces, table, or floor lamps are excellent ambient lighting sources that can cast a warm, cozy glow on any room.
10) Frame your windows with curtains
Window curtains are great accent pieces in a room. Replacing them is an easy way to switch up the room’s look and add a lived-in look to any space in one easy step. Personalize your windows by adding new window dressings to instantly warm up your home and showcase your style. Not only does adding beautiful curtains or shades improve your home’s appearance, they can also decorate blank walls, separate a room into sections, or even create fun little reading nooks in children’s bedrooms.
11) Showcase family mementos or antiques
Make your house feel like home by incorporating sentimental pieces in your decor, such as family mementos or antiques, to personalize your space. As you plan the display locations for your keepsakes, group related items together to help create a cohesive look in your home design. Items such as wedding photos, important documents, or certificates can be grouped in a gallery wall, while trophies or souvenirs can be displayed on a shelf together.
When displaying sentimental photos, pick frames that can protect the paper from damage or fading from ultraviolet (UV) rays over time. If you’re planning on including antiques or other precious items as decor, consider purchasing shadow boxes or display cases for them. Cases will protect the objects from harm and prevent dust or grime from settling on the fragile objects.
12) Freshen up your home with a coat of paint
Painting your walls can give your space an instant facelift and can go a long way in refreshing a home. Plus, it’s a great way to customize your home and make it your own. If you’re not ready to undertake an entire painting project, you can pick smaller areas in your home, like a bedroom or powder room. You can even opt to paint a few accent walls throughout your home to warm up the space and give it pops of color.
13) Personalize your shelves with books
A stack of well-loved paperbacks or a decorative coffee table book is a great way to bring personal touches into your home. Books are an easy and budget-friendly way to embellish your decor and can be used as statement accessories to pull a space together. And, the sight of a filled bookshelf can instantly give a room a homey feel. If you have an extensive book collection, use a blank wall in your home to create a book wall by displaying them in a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. You can also choose books with decorative covers or colorful spines to brighten up your decor.
14) Add warmth with comfy bedding
The right bedding can instantly make your room look decorated and homey if you can’t decorate the whole room right away. If your room has a bold paint color, using neutral-colored bedding can add texture while also creating depth and interest to your space. Alternatively, if your room has a neutral color palette, you can play around with different colors or patterns in your bedding.
When creating the ultimate comfy bedroom, one can’t forget the textiles to transform a bare bedroom. Adorning your bedroom with soft throws- chenille or faux fur are great options – and fluffy pillows can instantly add a cozy touch to any space, making your bedroom feel more welcoming.
15) Finally, make a house a home by setting up a hobby area
Whether your hobby is painting, reading, or even solving puzzles, make room for it. Dedicating a space in your home, like a nook or bonus room, for your hobbies will not only make it easier to do what you love, but it allows your personality and interests to shine throughout your home. Not to mention, having an area to yourself can allow you to concentrate on doing what you love all while making your house feel more like a home.
Ty Pennington has designed plenty of home bars, but in the latest episode of “Ty Breaker,” he goes one step further by designing a speak-easy. Cool!
In the Season 1 episode “A New Level To Entertain,” Starr and Antoine need help with their house in Atlanta. While they live comfortably on the second and third stories, they aren’t sure what to do with the first floor, which is awkwardly laid out with dark, dated furniture—including a huge built-in bookshelf and a bulky bar.
Sabrina Soto of “The High Low Project” teams up with Pennington to turn this unusable space into a fun speak-easy and dual guest suite, all with a minimal $45,000 budget. Read on to see how they pull it off, which may inspire you to create a speak-easy of your own, too.
Related Articles
Magnetic tile is an easy (and temporary) upgrade
This bar needed a new look.
HGTV
Starr and Antoine love the idea of making their first floor a speak-easy bar area, but Soto and Pennington know that the space will need a lot of updates before it’ll be open for business.
Pennington decides to upgrade the dated, dark bar by adding some modern tile. The new pattern adds visual interest; also, Pennington chooses magnetic tile, which comes with its own perks.
This tile is secured with magnets, so it’s easy to change up the look.
HGTV
“The cool thing is you don’t have to have it sealed or grouted,” Pennington tells Soto. “And another cool thing is once you get tired of this pattern, you can switch it out to any other tile you want.”
Make tile look like hardwood with the right grout
The grout lines make it clear that these floors are tile.
HGTV
While this first story may be awkwardly laid out, it isn’t in bad shape. It even has new tile floors, even if this faux-wood tile isn’t exactly Starr and Antoine’s style.
Luckily, Pennington has an idea to improve the look: He wants to color the grout to make this tile floor look more like wood.
“The tiles are meant to look like real hardwood,” says Pennington, who adds that “the white grout is the one thing that’s making them not look like hardwood.”
So he and Soto use grout colorizer to paint the grout. It’s a clever update that saves Starr and Antoine thousands of dollars.
Paint outdated features a more modern color
This dark built-in looked dated.
HGTV
One first-floor feature that needs a little style TLC is a built-in shelf that’s a dark-brown wood tone. It’s dated, but Soto and Pennington know they can fix it. They decide to paint it a dark, mossy green.
This dark-green built-in adds some moodiness to the room.
HGTV
“The dark espresso color of the bookcase made it look very dated, but the piece itself has good bones,” Soto says. She knows that the green will give the room an earthy, natural feel while also giving the built-in an updated look.
When the piece is painted, it looks great: It adds some convenient storage to this bonus space, and it even acts as a feature wall, proving that a little paint can go a long way.
Separate a sleeping area with shutter doors
Ty Pennington and Sabrina Soto know that a privacy door is just what this guest room needs.
HGTV
In addition to the speak-easy, Starr and Antoine are also excited about the prospect of a guest suite, so Soto and Pennington turn one strangely small room into cozy sleeping quarters.
They open up the door frame to fit two shutter doors. This way, when the doors are open, the entire suite seems larger, but when the doors are closed, it becomes a guest bedroom.
guest room
These doors provide privacy when needed.
“By opening up these door frames, this room changes. Before, it was creepy—it was really small,” Pennington says of the awkward space. “Now it feels like a real room.”
Add color to give a bathroom some personality
A touch of color brings something special to this bathroom.
HGTV
To make this first floor really function as a guest suite, Soto and Pennington want to upgrade the dated bathroom to make it more comfortable for guests. They build into the garage, adding a new shower and making the restroom bigger. But Pennington doesn’t want to just make this bathroom bigger; he also wants to make sure it’s unique.
“Instead of going your typical white, maybe in just the vanity area, could we go a color?” Pennington asks Soto. She loves the idea, so they decide to give the room a green vanity, which conveniently matches the new paint color on the built-in bookcase.
While plenty of homeowners prefer an all-white bathroom, Pennington and Soto know that sometimes, a good design calls for a bit of color.
When the first floor is finished, the space is transformed into a perfect speak-easy and a convenient guest suite. Plus, the best part is Pennington and Soto come in under budget, spending only $43,000 on this project. We say cheers to that!
The dining table was fine for a while. We were supposed to be working from home for only a few weeks. But then the weeks turned into months, and now the months have turned into (gasp!) nearly a year.
So we found refuge wherever we could—behind closed bedroom doors, out on the patio, or even inside our closets.
And so the “cloffice” was born.
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Sure, we used to dream of closets filled with designer handbags and red-bottomed heels and stacks of cedar shelves meticulously filled with new fashions. But times have most certainly changed. And for so many of us trying to type and Zoom through the chaos, the closet has become the last bastion for something resembling a dedicated office space.
In fact, the idea of the cloffice has become so popular it’s been called out by Pinterest as one of the hottest trends to watch for in 2021.
“Say goodbye to open floor plans,” the folks at Pinterest say. “Pinners are getting creative with closed doors. In 2021 we’ll all learn what a ‘cloffice’ is. Even when doors aren’t available, people will find new ways to create some personal space.”
While the circumstances surrounding our collective cloffice creation are undeniably garbage, that doesn’t mean our personal spaces need to be, too. We reached out to the experts for their best advice on creating a cloffice—these smart ideas will make you want to work overtime to transform that cluttered, dust bunny–filled closet into a bona fide home office fit for a boss.
Your ‘cloffice’ must-haves
There are three primary things every good cloffice needs, according to Ginger Curtis, owner of Urbanology Designs in Dallas: a place for everything, good light, and comfort.
“Good lighting is extremely important to a functional and pleasing workspace. If you are lacking natural light, make sure you have good overhead lighting,” says Curtis. “Having a designated spot for everything is also critical to making it a comfortable spot.”
Ideally, a cloffice should be a beautiful, personal space that helps set the tone for the workday, even if there are barking dogs, leaf blowers, and TV cartoons blaring in the background.
“I would elevate a cloffice by doing some really fun wallpaper paired with amazing art,” Curtis advises.
For inspiration, Instagram and Pinterest are filled with gorgeous cloffice spaces—some more lavish than others—but all manage to carve out a tidy, functional, and beautiful professional oasis in the middle of home.
Plan how you’ll keep your cloffice organized
Kayla Wallace, the designer behind Chippy Charm, says she’s thrilled with the results of the cloffice (above) she just installed in her home.
“When designing your cloffice, keep in mind what is going to be the most effective for your family to keep it organized,” says Wallace. “Open storage is usually best, so utilize as much wall space as possible for shelving.”
That’s why the shelves in her home cloffice are custom-shaped, she explains.
“Our closet is deep past the wall on both sides,” she says. “This is why our shelving makes U shapes instead of standard straight-across shelves. This way we can still utilize the free space between what would typically be the shelf and wall. It also creates a more custom built-in look.”
But you don’t need custom-shelving talent to create your own cloffice. This chic, airy closet-turned-homework station for the kids was done by Jennifer Gizzi, the talent behind the blog Making Pretty Spaces.
She created it with the Elfa system from The Container Store. Here, the wallpaper gives the area a bit of fun and focus, and helps define it from the rest of the surrounding room.
Keep your closet-office hybrid simple
This cloffice space is done in a beautiful blue, anchored by striking art, and even has a high shelf for functional storage with offsetting wallpaper for a finished, detailed look. The designer Lahari Rao calls it a “space within a space, ‘Inception’-style.”
But even though it looks complicated, creating a beautiful cloffice of your own is all about keeping things simple, Rao says.
“With a cloffice, you can leverage the existing features of the closet easily—for example the side nooks to tuck away bookcases or the top shelves for storage/books,” Rao says. “Since it is a smaller space, it’s critical to add just enough to still maintain an open, seamless feel.”
Pick a neutral paint color and/or wallpaper (pictured: Benjamin Moore’s Gentleman’s Gray and a terrazzo print), she suggests, and be mindful of the small space.
“Avoid too many decorative accessories and clutter,” Rao adds. “Swap the desk lamp for a ceiling one, or the horizontal paper tray for a vertical magazine file to store papers.”
And don’t forget to have something inspirational to look at during the workday.
“I’m a big proponent of surrounding yourself with imagery that reflects and inspires you,” Rao adds. “For me, that was powerful brown women that broke norms.”
Rao’s cloffice came about because trying to get work done in the common areas of her home just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
“Like many others during the pandemic, I tried to work in transitional spaces—the kitchen, living room, front door area, etc. It wasn’t working,” Rao says.
“I realized I owed much more importance to my workspace—it wasn’t selfish, but rather a self-care gesture to provide my mind and productivity the respect it deserves.”
At long last, Chip and Joanna Gaines and their smash hit show “Fixer Upper” have returned, although with some changes. For one, the show is now called “Fixer Upper: Welcome Home”—and the season premiere has them faced with renovating the messiest house we’ve ever seen them tackle.
In the episode “A Neglected Home for Newlyweds,” Chip and Jo meet Laney and Lucas, an engaged couple in Waco, TX, who have bought a house filled, quite literally, with trash. The Gaineses will need to work hard to give the couple the honeymoon home they deserve, and have a $150,000 renovation budget to do it.
Here’s how they whip this wreck of a house into shape, which suggests that this season of “Fixer Upper” will be filled with surprises and inspiration galore.
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Use indoor windows for a creative way to open up sightlines
This window cleverly connects the office to the kitchen.
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The house includes a large front room, which Lucas plans to use as an office.
While workspaces are normally private, Jo and Chip want to open up this space and improve the home’s sightlines. So they install industrial windows into the office that look into the kitchen and living room.
While some designers might have busted down the office walls to give the whole house an open layout, these windows are a creative alternative to demolition.They make the office feel less isolated while still giving Lucas the quiet and privacy he’ll need when working.
When the room is finished, Joanna is happy with not only the function, but also the clean, industrial design.
“The industrial window looks amazing, and I think the idea of trying to bring in a little bit of that industrial feel to this, really kind of modern, minimal space, feels really unique,” Joanna says.
A dark stone fireplace lends an industrial look
Joanna Gaines needed to bring some style into this living room.
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When Chip and Jo first see Lucas and Laney’s new house, they’re not only shocked by the mess, they’re also disappointed by the old-fashioned design.
The living room is especially dated, with a fireplace that desperately needs a refresh. Jo plans to update the feature with a sleek, dark stone that’s perfect for Laney’s industrial tastes.
Laney wanted wood storage in her new fireplace, even if it wasn’t in the original design plans.
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Yet instead of keeping the slab looking plain and minimalist, Laney makes a change to Jo’s design, requesting a cubby for wood storage. This doesn’t necessarily go with the industrial look Jo planned for, but this designer is willing to make a change. In the end, the wood ends up making the fireplace look even cozier than before.
Centered windows give a room balance
Chip and Jo realized, at the last minute, this window wasn’t centered.
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Chip and Jo want to give this young couple a cozy dining space, so they design a built-in banquette with midcentury modern charm. However, in the middle of renovation, they realize that the window isn’t centered on the wall, making the space feel awkward.
They know that the wonky window will make the new table look strange, so they put in the extra effort to move the window. They finish the room with the banquette, a midcentury-inspired light fixture, and a beautiful wood table. The furnishings look great and they’re all perfectly centered—giving the room a balanced look.
This centered window makes the space look larger.
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When the dining space is finished, Joanna explains that the new window placement makes the space feel so much bigger.
“This window is really close to this door here, and everything was, like, shoved this way, so we had to center your window,” she says. “Now, I feel like the space was really tiny, but now you’ve got space.”
Use wood paneling as an accent wall
This bedroom was a catastrophe when Jo and Chip found it!
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Laney loves simple, Scandinavian looks, but also digs midcentury modern style. So for the bedroom, Joanna installs a feature wall that works for both styles.
“I like the idea of this really cool focal wall, really minimal but highly textural,” Joanna says.
The wood paneling gives this bedroom that midcentury modern look Laney and Lucas love.
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She uses vertical wood paneling, which are reminiscent of paneling from midcentury homes, while choosing a light color and a simple black handle for the hidden bathroom door, which is in line with Scandinavian design.
The feature wall ends up looking gorgeous. It brings so much style to the room while seeming versatile enough to work with almost any style.
Dark colors in the bathroom add a moody vibe
This bathroom was covered in wallpaper.
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Laney says she likes dark tones, so Joanna wants to give Lucas and Laney’s master bathroom a moody makeover in dark green. She chooses a deep green paint color, then pairs it with green tile and wood vanities, and lightens it all up with light floors and counters.
When the room is painted and nearly finished, it looks great, but Joanna isn’t satisfied with the ceiling.
“When I walked into the bathroom, I really love what’s going on with all the textures and the pattern and the colors. Then when I look up, when I see the white ceiling, it’s almost like we stopped,” Joanna says. “The ceilings are kind of cut in a weird angle, and I don’t want to highlight that.”
So she has the ceiling painted dark green to match the walls.
While Chip is concerned this will make the space feel too dark, once the room is finished, it’s clear that painting was the right choice. The darker ceiling gives the space a cozy but glamorous feel that highlights the beautiful tiles and clean, white bathtub.
This dark green color makes the white finishes stand out.
Sometimes a house is just way too small. At least, that’s what Ty Pennington and his guest designer, Grace Mitchell of “One of a Kind,” decide on the latest episode of “Ty Breaker.”
In this Season 1 episode, “Small Home, Big Family Dilemma,” Pennington and Mitchell meet Katie, B.J., and their four kids.
While Katie and B.J. love their Atlanta house, they’ve clearly outgrown this starter home.
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In addition to needing another bedroom, so that their three boys don’t have to share one cramped room, they’d also love another bathroom, while Katie is hoping for a home office.
Pennington and Mitchell know that they won’t be able to find space in this family’s house as it is, so they decide to simply build an addition to it.
With a tight budget of only $150,000, they’ll need to think smart, so as not to overspend. Read on to find out how they pull it off, which might inspire some space-expanding changes around your own abode, too.
Don’t be afraid of dark, moody colors
Before: This blue bedroom had a bold, moody look.
HGTV
When Pennington and Mitchell first see Katie and B.J.’s bedroom, it’s not only cramped, but painted a surprisingly bold, dark navy blue. So when they start building and designing this couple’s new bedroom, they decide of using another intense hue: green.
They know green will bring the same fun pop of color, while also connecting to the greenery in the beautiful backyard. However, they run into trouble when picking a shade.
After: The green paint is still bold, but now this room has a more natural vibe.
HGTV
While Mitchell likes the idea of using a brighter green, Ty wants to use a darker shade.
“I think it’s this one, because it’s a little more sophisticated,” Ty says, pointing to a mossy green color swatch.
He also chooses a black trim, which Mitchell warns may be too bold. However, when Katie and B.J. finally see their new bedroom, they love the paint color. This black and green look is chic and moody, and while it might not be the right style for everyone, this couple loves it.
Give a home office style by substituting suitcases for drawers
Having an office space is more important now than ever.
HGTV
One of the most important things on Katie and B.J.’s wish list is a spot for Katie to work. While they don’t have enough rooms to give Katie a dedicated office, they do have the space to add a built-in desk in the bedroom.
The built-ins look great, but Mitchell wants to make sure B.J. and Katie love the desk space, since it’ll be in their bedroom.
Since this family loves traveling together, Mitchell comes up with the idea to use vintage suitcases instead of drawers.
“I think they would really love something that was created with them in mind, but that’s still practical,” she says.
The six suitcases add color to the space, and give the room personality. It’s a creative choice that looks great.
Paint isn’t the only way to bring color to walls
The whiteboard makes this room fun and functional.
HGTV
With a beautiful master bedroom built, Pennington and Mitchell focus their attention on creating a new room for B.J. and Katie’s son Eli.
Eli is getting upgraded from sleeping in a bunk bed to getting his own room, so Pennington and Mitchell want to make sure he feels special in his new space.
While a fun paint color would make this room feel more homey, these designers decide to get more creative with the space.
“That’s not only a dry-erase wall,” Pennington says, when Katie and B.J. spot writing on their son’s new bedroom wall. “But it’s also a magnet wall, so he can hang up his art after he’s done.”
It’s a great idea. Not only does this give the room a youthful vibe, it also gives Eli the opportunity to personalize his room as he grows.
When picking tile, take inspiration from the rest of the house
This tile has a midcentury feel, which complements the rest of the house.
HGTV
Pennington and Mitchell work hard to make both bedrooms feel homey, but the real challenge comes when they design the new master bathroom.
They want to be careful to make the new bathroom look as if it flows with the rest of the house, so they let the home’s existing style dictate their tile choices.
“In their house, they have some sort of midcentury feel,” Mitchell says when looking at a retro-inspired tile sample, “and I feel like this is sort of that, you know, midcentury starburst kind of pattern.”
They use the starburst tile on the backsplash, and pair it with some midcentury-inspired gold wall sconces. Once completed, the bathroom is beautiful, fitting right in with the rest of the house.
A skylight adds light to a room without windows
Pennington is able to create a skylight easily.
HGTV
Pennington and Mitchell realize that the new bathroom doesn’t have any space for windows, so to add some light to the space, they add a skylight.
“I think people get nervous about adding skylights, because they’re worried that they’re going to leak or they’re going to have problems,” Mitchell says.
“But really, they’ve come a long way in the past 10 years. And it is a terrific way to bring natural light into a space that doesn’t have it.”
Pennington is able to install the skylight himself, showing how easy it can be to add some light to this new addition. It’s a great solution, which really helps the new bathroom feel brighter.
With all these great upgrades, B.J. and Katie are thrilled to finally move back into their house. Their home is now larger and more functional, which means that their family is able to stay in the house they love.
With a new year now underway, there’s no better time to give your home a makeover and get off to a fresh start.
While you may not have the budget to do a major remodel, there are still ways to make your home look good on the cheap.
Following are some great options for sprucing up your digs without spending an entire paycheck.
1. Add indoor plants
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Whether fake or real, plants add pops of green throughout your home and freshen your space — sometimes literally. Live plants can improve the air quality by removing impurities, as we explain in “9 Houseplants That Remove Toxins From Your Indoor Air.”
Place potted plants near windows throughout your home if you have a green thumb. If you don’t have the time or inclination to care for real plants, look for realistic-looking artificial plants.
2. Create a cozy corner
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Consider creating a corner that lets you relax and recharge. Find a quiet space and add a comfortable chair and a small table. Don’t forget a fuzzy blanket and comfortable pillows.
If you enjoy reading, put a small bookshelf and a reading light in the space to make it easier to get lost in your favorite book.
3. Declutter
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Getting rid of clutter can change the look of your home. You may not realize how having extra stuff on every flat surface and mountains of pillows affects the look and feel of your rooms.
Go through every room in your home and try to clear off most surfaces, leaving only essentials such as lamps or a clock. Remove extra pillows and blankets and get a feel for the room before adding anything back.
Add to your decorating budget by selling items you don’t need. If you don’t clear out enough clutter to hold a yard sale, check out “6 Safe Ways to Sell Your Clutter During the Pandemic.”
4. Swap out your hardware
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Adding new hardware to your cabinets is an easy way to change how your space looks and feels. Cabinet hardware is inexpensive — you can even buy it on Amazon if you don’t want to drive to your local home improvement store. It can completely transform the look of a room.
Unless you plan on drilling new holes, your new hardware will need to have the same dimensions. So, before you pick out new handles and drawer pulls, remove one of your current ones.
Measure the screws and, for pulls with multiple screws, the space between the screws. Or, take a piece of your current hardware with you to the store.
5. Change the artwork
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After a while, you stop really seeing the art on your walls. It becomes just a part of the decor. But your wall art can set the tone for a room or tie into your color scheme. Mixing things up can breathe new life into a room at a fraction of the cost of remodeling.
If you have framed photos, swap them out for more recent ones. Look through photos from recent vacations and outings and find a few images of nature that you like. Consider blowing them up and framing them to accent your walls.
6. Remix your accessories
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Accessories can add a pop of color or an interesting element to a room. Consider switching throw pillows between rooms or pull out any accessories you have in storage.
Add a new throw blanket to your sofa and experiment with arrangements for lamps, candles and other accessories.
7. Change up your lighting
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Make sure you have sufficient lighting in all of your rooms to fit your needs. Add lamps to brighten up dark corners or shine a light on frequently used areas.
Switch up your lighting by changing up lamp shades or moving lamps around. If you’re up for bigger changes, consider swapping out hard-wired fixtures, such as entryway ceiling lamps or a dining room chandelier.
8. Install new door handles
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Door handles are an often-ignored detail in most homes. However, having just the right hardware can change the look of your house.
For example, if you have old brass-colored door handles and you switch to a new modern look, your doors could get a facelift for less than $100.
9. Rearrange your bookshelves
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Updating the contents of your bookshelves can have a big impact on the look of your home. Here are ways to do this on a shoestring:
Group books based on color.
Position knickknacks off-center on a shelf.
Mix up how books are displayed: Place some in horizontal stacks and use them as bookends.
Make a pyramid of books and add a favorite display item on top.
Mix framed photos and art with the books.
10. Add new storage options
Iakov Filimonov / Shutterstock.com
New storage options can add color and function to your home. Colorful baskets or boxes on bookshelves or side tables can hide remotes and other unsightly items.
Adding a storage ottoman or bench gives you more functional seating and a place to hide extra blankets or pillows. Spending a little on key organizing essentials can be money well-spent.
11. Change switch plates and outlet covers
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It’s the little details that can make a difference in the feel of your room. If you have old or yellowed switch plates and outlet covers, consider updating them with a new look.
Most hardware stores sell them for just a few bucks, so you can update the look of your entire home on a budget.
To add pops of color or extra polish, look for ceramic or stainless steel switch plate options at hardware stores, on Etsy or at Walmart.
12. Give your home a deep cleaning
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Nothing beats the feel and smell of a clean home. If you want a great way to update your home in the new year, don’t just wipe the surfaces and give the toilet bowl a quick squirt of cleaner. Instead, consider a deep clean.
Dust the top of cabinets, wash windows inside and out and give baseboards an extra scrub. Throw your pillows and pillow inserts in the washing machine. Don’t forget comforters and blankets.
When you’re done, your house will smell and feel squeaky clean.
13. Add some trim
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Crown molding can change a home from ho-hum to elegant. Check out this tutorial on the This Old House website showing how to install crown molding.
If adding crown molding seems a little too advanced, start with window and door trim.
Measure three times before making a cut or installing your trim. If you don’t have the tools, some hardware stores will cut the molding you purchase if you give them the dimensions.
14. Spruce up your couch
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Couches are big pieces of furniture that take up a lot of real estate in your living room. An easy way to update the look of your home is by adding a pop of color to the area.
This can be in the form of colorful accent pillows or a new throw blanket. If your couch could use a little more help, consider adding a slipcover.
15. Repaint a room
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If you’re looking to make a big statement on a small budget, change the color of a room. With a few tips, you can paint like a pro. Repaint a main area such as your living room or a smaller space such as a bedroom.
Look through design websites and magazines for inspiration. Before you commit to a color, get a sample of the paint (most are $5 or less) to test it out. Put it on a piece of wood and hold it up to the wall to see how it looks in your space. Home Depot is one place to find paint samples and wall colors.
Keep in mind that a paint color when it’s dry can look different than it looks in the can. Also, the shade can look darker or lighter depending on the lighting in your room.
16. Paint your front door
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First impressions matter: What better way to make a good one than refreshing your front door?
The color you choose will depend on the trim and color of the rest of your house. Consider going with a bright and welcoming shade such as blue, yellow or red.
Some paint colors even can boost the resale value of a home.
17. Add container plants
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Dress up your porch and yard by adding new plants. You can use seeds to start your plants in the spring or dig up a few perennials from your garden and arrange them in pots.
Look for a discount area in your local nursery where you can pick up plants and pots for half-price or less. Container plants are a great way to add a splash of color to your home. You can easily move them around and group them for a bigger impact.
18. Paint photo frames
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If you have photo frames throughout your house, consider changing them up. Buying new ones can be pricey, so consider painting them instead.
Don’t stick to safe and boring options such as black and white. Instead, opt for a few bright colors to add interest and brighten up your home.
19. Add some contrast to bookcases
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If you’re not ready to commit to painting an entire room, consider sprucing up your bookshelves. Add a pop of color to the back panel of your bookcases by either painting them or using colorful paper. This can be contact paper, gift wrap or wallpaper with fun shapes and designs.
If you want to do a trial run, cut cardboard boxes to fit the size of each bookshelf opening, and cover or paint it. Place it at the back and add your books and accessories as usual. This will tell you if you like the look before you make a permanent change.
20. Paint furniture
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Painting furniture can take it from boring to spectacular. This works best with pieces made of wood, since the paint will stick to it better. Don’t forget to sand it down and strip any lacquer or other shiny coating before painting.
Doing a coat of primer can make your paint go on more evenly and make it more durable in the long run. Start small with a side table or a chair before moving to bigger projects such as a dresser or bed frame.
21. Add path lighting
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Upgrade your walkway or garden by adding path lights. This will make the area safer come nightfall and add a little romance.
Look for solar-powered lights, since they don’t need additional wiring.
22. Paint exterior shutters and trim
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Bring the exterior of your home to the next level by adding a fresh coat of paint. Depending on your home’s design, a little paint can go a long way.
You can refresh your current color or switch it up to another shade within your home’s color scheme.
Short on time? Focus on street-facing trim for maximum impact.
23. Make a new headboard
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Change the look of a bedroom by adding a new headboard. This project can be done for less than $50 while dramatically updating the look and feel of the room.
Either refurbish an old headboard or search for free and cheap materials to keep costs down. DIY Network has six ideas for simple headboards anyone can make.
24. Change your house numbers
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Your house numbers can set the tone for your home. From classic to sleek and modern, they are more than the numeric display of your address.
Search for new house numbers online or at your local hardware store. And, for something unique, check out Etsy for handmade options.
25. Add a chair rail
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Chair rails add elegance and upgrade the look of a room for less than you’d expect. They are easy to install, but require close attention to detail so they are level throughout the room.
Increase the architectural drama of a room by painting the wall above and below in two different shades of the same color.
26. Paint the ceiling
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Most people paint their ceiling a boring white, which is why going for something different really stands out.
Consider a neutral color such as a soft blue or gray to draw the eye up without overwhelming the room.
27. Add mirrors
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Strategically placed mirrors reflect light and can make a room appear much larger than it is. If you have a small or dark room that needs pizazz, add a decorative mirror to brighten it up.
Or, add several small mirrors to a dark corner in a main area, such as the dining or living room. Update the look of an outdated bathroom by swapping out the mirror over the sink with one that has an ornate or fun frame.
28. Switch out your window treatments
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Add drama to your space by swapping out your window treatments.
Switch up your drapes for a new pattern that ties into your color scheme. If you have blinds, consider adding fabric curtains in some of your rooms for added impact.
29. Rearrange your furniture
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One of the easiest ways to make a change on a budget is by switching your furniture around. This could be as simple as rearranging your couch and chairs, or grouping furniture in a way that encourages conversation.
Consider moving some furniture from a bedroom and using it to mix up things in your main living areas. An armchair or a side table from a different room can change up the feel of a room and add a new element.
If you have a friend with an eye for design, ask for ideas on how to freshen your space.
30. Try a theme
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Going with a theme can take a room from boring to fun. Whether you opt for the French country look in your living room or a nautical theme in your bathroom, choosing the right accessories is key.
Go with a color scheme to tie everything together and blend it with the rest of your home.
31. Paint kitchen cabinets
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If you want to make a big change in your kitchen and you’re on a small budget, paint the cabinets. It will take time and attention to detail, but the end result will be worth it.
Don’t forget to make notes as to which cabinet doors go with which cabinet to make it easier to put back together once you’re done painting. Also, group all the hardware for each cabinet in a plastic bag and label it so you’re not hunting down screws when reattaching the doors.
Considering remodeling? Check out the “19 Home Renovations That Give Owners the Most Joy.”
32. Change rugs and flooring
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The floors set the tone for a room, so switching them up can shake up the feel of your home. Consider adding a soft rug to a bedroom to warm up your feet as you get up in the morning.
Or add an area rug to a living area to define the space and bring in more color and texture. If you’re up for a bigger change, consider refinishing hardwood floors or removing existing flooring and staining the concrete underneath.
33. Add display shelves
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Mix up your wall decor by adding display shelves to an empty wall. Shelves are easy to install and can display art, photos, small plants, favorite pieces from traveling adventures and much more.
34. Update your kitchen backsplash
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If you don’t have a backsplash in your kitchen, adding one can make a big impact. Even if you’re not handy, there are many backsplash options such as peel-and-stick designs you can add with little skill.
For those who have basic DIY skills, consider installing a tile backsplash that will last longer and protect your wall from water, food grease and damage.
Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.
For-sale listings with cool, neutral wall colors sell for more money, according to Zillow analysis.
A fresh coat of paint in the right color may help sell a home for more money.
Homes with rooms painted in shades of light blue or pale blue/gray can sell for as much as $5,440 more than expected, according to a new Zillow report.
Zillow’s 2017 Paint Color Analysis looked at more than 32,000 photos from sold homes around the country to see how certain paint colors impacted their sale price on average, when compared to similar homes with white walls.
Curious what colors may help you sell your home for more? See below for the full results of the 2017 Paint Color Analysis.
Blue kitchens
Homes with blue kitchens, often found in soft gray-blue, sold for a $1,809 premium.
Light blue bathrooms
Homes with light pale blue to soft periwinkle blue bathrooms sold for $5,440 more than expected.
Brown living rooms
Turns out homes with light beige, pale taupe or oatmeal-colored living room walls sell for $1,926 more than expected.
Cadet blue bedrooms
Homes with light cerulean to cadet blue bedroom wall colors can come with a $1,856 premium.
Slate blue dining rooms
Homes with slate blue to pale gray blue dining rooms also sold for more money — $1,926 more on average than homes with white dining room wall colors.
“Greige” home exteriors
A home’s exterior color may also have an impact on its sale price. Homes painted in “greige,” a mix of light gray and beige, sold for $3,496 more than similar homes painted in a medium brown or with tan stucco.
Navy blue front doors
For a pop of color, homes with front doors painted in shades of dark navy blue to slate gray sold for $1,514 more.
Selecting the right paint color is one of many factors that may affect why a home sells faster or for more money. Walls painted in cool neutrals like blue or gray have broad appeal, and may be signals that the home is well cared for or has other desirable features.
Some colors may actually deter buyers. Homes with darker, more style-specific walls like terracotta dining rooms sold for $2,031 less than expected. However, a lack of color may have the biggest negative impact as homes with white bathrooms sold for an average of $4,035 below similar homes. Zillow’s full report can be found here.
Sellers can also consult Zillow’s Owner Dashboard to see in real time how their listing is performing compared to similar ones on the market.
