I am ready for spring.

Anonymous wrote:All of a sudden I can't stand our couches, the paint color, the coffee tables, any of it. I don't have the $$ for a total overhaul of our stuff - but I can probably put maybe $1000 into getting some stuff that'll help me love my house again. I guess I should try rearranging some things - and then: how do I come to love my house again?!

#1) Change your lighting. In fact, it could be as simple as changing your light bulbs. The new LED lights are not as forgiving as the old incandescent. Consider using a yellow toned lightbulb and warmer/darker shades. Oddly, flicking candles and led garland lights can give a room warmth that helps with older furnishings. If that doesn’t work.

#2) Paint the room yourself. The implicitly forces you to purge a room and carefully prep a room. This means cleaning all of the surfaces of the room, re sealing windows, caulking the baseboards and trim and doors. Change the paint to something clean. Start with the ceiling and paint. Choose a paint color that works with the lighting in the room. (See #1). When I do this, I prime and add three coats so that I can cover up old smells and give a depth of color to the room.

#3) Reintroduce your furniture. One piece at a time. Then prioritize the things you want to replace. I start with the pieces that need replacement to make the room functional for it’s intended use. If furniture needs cleaning or repair- do that instead of replacement if it looks good still.

#4) Enjoy the process. It’s curative. And once one room is done, start on the next room.

You could also try updating door knobs and other hardware

OP with an update: I moved a few things around, decluttered a bit, cleaned up a bit, ordered some new throw pillows for one of the shabby couches. And I don't have my stuff so much anymore!

I think we still need a couple more things to really maximize the sprucing but it feels like we are heading in the right direction, finally. THANK YOU for all your good advice, good decorators of DCUM!

Maybe paint? New bold background can really change the room.