People like to say that home is where the heart is, but if your home is a miserable, mangy mess, your heart would rather run a mile than stay there.
A dirty doorstep, a hallway that seems to sneer at you, a living room that’s the pits and a kitchen that looks as hygienic as a greasy spoon cafe in a nuclear dead zone – who would want to live in a home like this?
With that in mind, we’ve come up with a few simple ways to improve your house and give it some shine.
So, take a look. And don’t worry – this makeover magic won’t break the bank.
Mix and mats
You trudge into your hallway with muddy boots and slip them off – but somehow that grime has gone everywhere, drowning your home in a sea of muck.
There’s only one effective solution – invest in a few designer mats that’ll give you clean feet AND a slick sense of style.
The cream of the mat-crop is fully-machine washable, giving you a gleaming aesthetic, no matter how many times you’ve wiped your feet.
And just think of the possibilities – a mat with a welcoming message can give you an air of cheeriness before you’ve even entered your home.
Culture dash
You might love gorging on junk telly like Celebrity Big Brother, but a dash of culture can add a warmth and style to your front room that your copy of the telly guide can’t.
Invest in a bookcase and cram it full of classics like Shakespeare, Shelley, Keats and Homer. Mix up your collection with a few natty ornaments and you’ll have a great collection that gives your living room a sense of high-class.
Books have a personality all of their own, far more so than a massive telly or the latest games console. Grabbing a few will add variety to your living room and fill it with a little bit of soul.
Freshen your walls
You might not think about the colours in your home anymore. Their familiarity will leave you barely noticing them. They might as well be the same shade of grey.
But when that happens, it’s time to freshen up. Never underestimate the effects a clean lick of paint can have on your home. A brighter coat can give you a cheerier home and a sunnier outlook.
Vie for a bright colour palette throughout your house – those summery oranges and reds will make you feel carefree from the moment you wake up.
It’s easy to take this too far – and the last thing you want is to descend from bright to garish. So, find an appropriate balance and you’ll enjoy a cheeriness that won’t become cloying.
