Nobody wants to be told their home is looking a little old, pale, stale, and in desperate need of a makeover. So it’s best that you notice the signs before they are pointed out to you. But not to worry, even if you are looking around your home right now and thinking these things, you just need to make a place to start. Any home becomes stale after a while, it’s just a matter of time when you will feel the need to re-style. However, the approach or solutions you reach out to will be the deciding factor whether your home has solved the problem or not. The very first issue is, spotting the signs because not all of us can spot them ourselves. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.
What Do We Mean by ‘Stale’?
Stale is a very subjective term. It doesn’t mean out of touch, it just means out of fashion. You can’t be one and the other at the same time. Stale is an expression that can be used for curtains that have been up for 5-10 years without being changed. The fabric will be more flexible and easily creased. No matter how many times you clean them, they stay a little dense with the oil, dust, and debris that has been absorbed in the air over the years. This is a clear sign that the curtains have become too old.
Stale can also mean a lack of creativity and ingenuity. For example, you have a minimalist home, but the style of minimalism you have was from 5-10 years ago. Minimalism has evolved, with the use of different materials and designs, such as open plans. It’s no longer just basic items and keeping it simple. And let’s be honest, most of us can understand to some degree what we mean by ‘stale’. Too drab, too static, and not moving with the times.
Bright Light
A room can look particularly stale if there isn’t enough light entering the room. This can be solved by looking at your windows and seeing if you can change the frame. For example, take a look at these Replacement Windows, which not only update the frame of the windows but structurally redesign and support the new windows. So if you have windows that are obscuring your view to the outside, changing just the frame might be one of the things you want to do, but also making the windows larger. It’s highly recommended you also consider fitting new windows. If you have a better view with the chance of getting more light into the home from one side that doesn’t have windows, why not fit them in?
Not to mention, you should consider placing new light fixtures in a room that has dark spots. This is so true for homes that have dark corners naturally. It might be because you have bookcases or cabinets in the corners where light enters but doesn’t escape. Better LED lights such as side table lamps, ceiling lights, and things like adding more ceramic or glass items that reflect light, could be solutions.
The Battle of Themes
Sometimes, themes can make a home look stale. For example, if you are having a theme of blue in one room, it can sometimes make it appear as the ‘blue room’ rather than what the room is for. If you have a blue living room, you might not see it as your living room, but rather the room that is blue. This can happen over time, the room loses its character and takes on the character of its theme. This should not be allowed and this is perhaps why interior designers are seeking to go to maximalism nowadays.
What is this? It’s where lots of items of all colors, shapes, and designs are put into rooms and they just go together. Picture a living room like this.
- The sofa is made of linen, in a comfortable warm coffee tone.
- The coffee table is made of lightweight wood, such as cedar. It’s a lighter shade than the sofa.
- The cabinet is made from wood and glass, housing your personal items such as photos, awards, teacups, statues and other bric-a-brac
- The floor however is hardwood with an area rug over it. The wood is a light tone as well, somewhat matching the coffee table. The area rug however is bright, loud, with lots of different colors, patterns and designs.
- The side table is made of a heavier wood, such as oak. It’s painted in a pastel neutral such as teal or violet. The table has a shiny brass lamp, with a lampshade made of wool and silk, with floral patterns.
- The windowsill has little figures that come from a collection.
- The curtains are grand, with a pattern that rivals the area rug.
As you can see, this room would be bold and with so much to satisfy the eye and senses. The materials vary, the colors don’t clash but they stand on their own and there is lots to touch and explore i.e. figures, lamps, and cabinet pieces.
Make a List
One of the best ways to restyle your home is to make a list of the things that cause you to have a concern, your home is stale. For example, if you walk into your home and you just don’t like the sight of the welcome mat, or perhaps you don’t like the side table in the hallway. Then you should consider replacing them. Sometimes you don’t have to replace the entire room, you just need to replace the key items that are no longer pulling their weight. Pretty soon you will have a list that allows you to slowly go through and make the necessary changes.
Everyone’s home becomes stale eventually. These are just some of the things you can do to solve the issue. Pick a new theme, replace your windows to add more light, fit lighting where there are dark spots, and try to give maximalism a go.
