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Saying so-long to winter certainly brightens our mood! Those cozy days are great, but it’s always nice to welcome the new season. We love changing up our style for spring. Home design doesn’t have to stay stagnant throughout the year. If you’re looking for some ways to freshen up your space, these ideas are for you!

Feeling Light and Airy for Spring

Mixing things up is a great way to bring the outdoors inside. As we start moving away from the frosty days, you might want to swap out some design features around your home. Different pillows on the couch might make more sense for spring. Those heavy wool blankets can go back in storage, too. Look for light cotton blends or even linen for another type of natural look and feel.

Different pillows in the bedroom are also fun. We loved the purple on these walls and thought some pops of color could help tie the room together. (Doesn’t this yellow one remind you of bright daffodils?) Experimenting with color and fabrics can help set the tone for sunny days and warmer nights. Maybe you want to put your bedroom rug away for the coming months. It can be nice to feel the cool wood floors on your feet during the spring and summer. That’s just another way to bring the light and airy feel indoors.

Design and Texture at Every Turn

You also want to be sure to bring your design sense to your screened-in porch and patios. Add a plant or vase to your tables to create a nice centerpiece. If your green thumb is lacking you can always go with some faux succulents or flowers. These little touches can help your home shine at every turn.

As you play with fabric choices, you also want to look at different textures. When you set up your outdoor furnishings, you might be inspired to bring some of those materials inside as well. Wicker doesn’t have to stay in the sun. Maybe you’ll find a woven texture for an end table or some other bamboo pieces to use in your living room. These sometimes make more sense during spring. You can enjoy them now, then put them away when the weather cools. Your “seasonal” décor doesn’t just have to be for the holidays.

Ready for a Fresh Start?

If you’re interested in making a change, but don’t know where to start, just call on Home Matters! Our design team is always happy to collaborate with you for some fresh new takes on your home. We can work with what you have already and try out some new layouts, or we can go shopping for some great new pieces.

Professional home staging helps sell your home, but it’s also about creating a warm and welcoming vibe for real life. The right furniture and accents can make any house feel like home. Maybe you’ve recently made a move. Do you feel like the space reflects your true style? Or perhaps you’re feeling stuffy in a house that you’ve lived in for years. We’re happy to meet you wherever you’re at emotionally with your space. With a little inspiration from the spring season, we can help make your space shine!

Mood lighting isn’t just for up-scale restaurants. Our homes can do with their own bit of romance, too! Whether you want lighting options to calm you down, or other setups designed for an energy boost, choosing the right bulbs is important. After that, we think light fixture itself is just as special for setting the scene—and creating a little magic.

Ambiance on the Main Level

Candles are a nice option if you want to embrace that warm glow ambiance in the evening. But they aren’t always practical. Going with a permanent lighting option can be a better way to enjoy your space. We love homes that make a statement with their lighting fixtures, like this open concept kitchen and family room. The overhead lights look so sleek set between these wooden beams. And these globes over the kitchen island are a great statement piece.

Installing new lighting fixtures can be such a smart way to refresh your home because the process has a relatively low investment cost. Rather than replace the kitchen countertops or cabinets, you can just swap out some of your overhead lighting options for a more modern look. Just use this kitchen as inspiration!

Lighting Options with Home Staging

As home stagers, we usually don’t have a say in a home’s lighting fixtures, so it’s always nice when a room already has a nice setup installed. The classic warm glow of this shaded chandelier was a great starting place. We took a hint from the gold fixture with the mirror over the bed (which acts like its own type of headboard). Then we found a similar tone for the lamp shade on the end table. It all looks super cozy, right?

We also made sure to keep all of the lights on when we took this pic. One of the keys for a great home listing is to make the space as bright as possible in your photographs. So you’ll want to turn on the lights in each room. This make it easier to see all of the home’s architectural details. It would be hard to notice the tray ceiling in this master bedroom if the lights were off. Plus, you get the full impact of the chandelier itself when the bulbs are lit.

Take Natural Lighting to the Max

If you aren’t sure what to do with your lighting, starting with natural lighting can help. We love how this master bathroom amplifies the light coming in from the walk-in shower. All it takes is a can of bright white paint. Other hues—even a cream or an eggshell—might dull and mute the overall lighting. Sticking with white really makes this bathroom come alive and feel fresh. That’s its own type of ambiance. Sometimes we want an energized space instead of a relaxed feel. (It would certainly make it easier to wake up in the morning as you get ready for the day!)

Lighting can create such a strong emotional baseline for any room. That’s why we believe in giving each space the best presentation possible. When you think of mood lighting, you don’t have to reserve it to Valentine’s Day. Every day of the week can become more romantic and intimate (or welcoming and bright) with the right home accents. If you need help finding the right balance, you can always reach out to us for a consultation. We’d be happy to meet with you!

Every designer is entitled to their own opinion when it comes to the year’s breakout color. Since there’s no single trend-setter to get behind, there’s plenty of room for interpretation. Whether you want to be bold and experiment with PANTONE’s 2019 hue Living Coral or stay more reserved with Behr’s 2019 color Blueprint, you’ve got plenty of options for a new color scheme this year.

The Metropolitan Color Scheme

We can’t help but love chic cream and gray tones. As professional home stagers, we often lean toward schemes that are more neutral. This stunning master bedroom is a prime example of how these tones are working in recent years. That’s probably why Benjamin Moore’s color of the year is Metropolitan, a balanced gray that’s beautiful in just about any room. It’s definitely one of the trend-setting hues to watch for in the 2019 year.

You can pump up any color scheme similar to Metropolitan with bright golds, like we did with furniture hardware and light fixtures. Or you can try using different textures in the room to add depth to these subtle tones on the wall. Fluffy area rugs help ground the space. (Of course, it also helps that this home has a great view of the woods outside!)

Playing with Enthusiast Colors

If you want a complete playbook for your color scheme, you might like the 2019 Color Forecast from Sherwin-Williams. They’ve pulled together some fantastic combos to suit a handful of different styles. This can be a great resource when you’re looking for a total redesign.

We were inspired by colors similar to their Enthusiast scheme for this Fountain Square home. The lush, deep green on this couch is just irresistible for a fun, energetic space—just like the downtown area itself! It’s easy to pair these deeper hues with all kinds of geometric patterns. Finding unique accessories also helps make these settings shine.

Soft and Calming Muted Pastels

A few other colors are predicted to stand out in 2019, but we’re keeping our eyes on the muted pastels. We tend to gravitate toward these hues for our home staging projects because they’re practical favorites for all types of buyers and homeowners.

When you want a calming, relaxing atmosphere, you really can’t go wrong with this color scheme. That’s probably why they made their way onto this House Beautiful list. In this room, we took direction from the off-white walls with a hint of green. A couple accent chairs in a light blue-grey and some lovely abstract artwork help tie this room together. Now, it’s a welcoming space that anyone would feel at home in, and it totally fits that pastel scheme.

Ready to Shake Things Up?

The early months of a new year can be a great time to try out a new trend for paint colors and home décor. Why not try out a new accent wall this season? Or a whole new color scheme for the living room? It can be so invigorating to keep things fresh. Your home will feel even more comfortable when it breaks out of the color doldrums!

If you need some guidance along the way, our designers are just a phone call away. While home staging is at the core of what we do, we also love working with homeowners on design services. You deserve to love the home you’re in. Let us help make your space one-of-a-kind. We’ll work with you to find a style that’s all your own. Just send us a message to get started on your consultation.

The holidays aren’t just about food, family time, and fun. With all the out-of-towners coming in for the holidays, you want to make sure comfort takes center stage, too. Opening your home up for family (or friends that are like family) for an extended weekend means you want them to feel relaxed and welcome during their stay. That’s why it helps to know that your guest bedroom is on-point. With these tips and must-haves, your space will truly be great!

1. The Basic Home Must-Haves

All those travel-size lotion and shampoo bottles you’ve collected over the years are meant to be shared. Don’t leave them alone under your sink. Consider buying a few extras to add to the mix, then find a nice way to arrange them for guests. It’s so easy to forget the essentials when you’re packing. A new toothbrush can go a long way to show that you care.

2. Plenty of Good Lighting

Every bedroom should have a good lamp or two. If your guestroom hasn’t been use in some time, be sure to check the lightbulbs. No one wants to be left in the dark. You may even plug in an extra floor lamp in the corner to brighten up the space near a mirror. This makes it easier for guests to get ready for the day. (Especially if they have to share a bathroom with others in the house!)

3. Some Fresh Greenery

In summer, you might buy a fresh bouquet of flowers to freshen up your guestroom. In the fall in winter, why not mix things up with some other greenery? If you have spare plants around the house, it might be worth moving them into your guestroom temporarily for a warm touch. Or you can create your own arrangement with cedar or pine cuttings—they go great with birch or other branches.

4. An Assortment of Pillows

Everyone has a different preference for their pillow. That’s why it’s smart to give guests multiple options for a good night’s sleep. Load up the bed with soft down pillows, a couple firm pillows in the back, and a few decorative pieces for a really inviting feel. Then guests will be able to pick and choose whatever works best for their needs.

5. Piles of Fresh Towels

This one is basically a given, but it bears repeating. Help your guests feel really pampered by presenting them with a stack of big, fluffy towels in their room. If your current towels have seen better days, consider investing in a new set. It’s always nice to get a little indulgence when you’re away from home. You can even give each guest a different color of towel to prevent mix-ups.

6. Empty Dresser Drawers

If you use your guestroom as storage for linens or out-of-season clothes, be sure to clear out some drawers for your guests’ belongings. They should be able to make use of that dresser, too! The same goes for closet space. Push items to the side and toss in a handful of hangers so they can arrange their clothes and get unpacked right.

7. Extra Blankets at the Ready

The colder months often call for extra blankets. Even if you don’t keep the thermostat low, your guests might like to bundle up under the covers in the evenings. Set out some different types of blankets next to the bed so they can make their ideal setup. Whether you go with fleece, wool, or another woven pattern, you’ll feel better knowing that they can’t be cold!

8. A Cozy Reading Spot

When your room has the space for it, an attractive accent chair will make a great impact. These pieces epitomize the link between style and function. If your guests ever need to get a little work done, they’ll appreciate the option to work somewhere other than the bed. And if they’re craving a little quiet time, you’re giving them permission to comfortably hang out in the privacy of their own space.

9. Thoughtful “Room Service”

Following the tricks from luxe hotel rooms and cute bed and breakfasts will really set your guestroom over the top. Not everyone will feel comfortable raiding your pantry, so it’s nice to designate an assortment of snacks just for them. Lay out some granola bars, chocolate, pretzels, or other snacks on a tray in their room. Then they’ll be able to satisfy any craving.

Once you get these comfy design elements in to your guestroom, you’ll be ready to open your front door to anyone you please. Putting a little extra thought into this part of your home will really make you the hostess with the most-est!

As the seasons start to shift, it’s normal to want a change in your home’s décor. Whether the weather is cooling down or warming up, we tend to cycle through certain items. Heavier blankets and throws come out for fall and winter. Brighter hues and flowers might make an entrance in spring and summer.

But what if your home’s layout feels stale? When you feel bored with an entire room, you need more than just a couple accent pieces. A new perspective can help you revitalize your home during any season. Rather than stay with your existing layout and décor, it might be time for a redesign. Shifting your furniture around and investing in some new items breathes new life into any space. A professional designer can help you make the upgrades that get you falling in love with your place all over again!

Professional Advice for Home Décor

A home that’s never been styled before can feel bland and sparse. Without the appropriate accent pieces, you’re just living with plain furniture—and that isn’t any fun. You need to add other items to showcase your personal style.

Adding an interesting sculpture to your bookshelf or fireplace mantel can infuse personality into any room. For some people, plants and succulents work as accent pieces. Others like to play with color and texture. They might pair a shiny, glazed vase with wooden bookends in the living room, or use plush, velvet pillows in the master bedroom. Whatever speaks to your aesthetic is fair game, yet knowing how to arrange these pieces without looking cluttered can require some skill. You can always trust a professional interior designer if you need help finding or placing your home’s décor. They’ll help you select items that add a welcoming tone and depth to any bare room.

Assistance with Furniture Purchases

Figuring out the right measurements for a new piece of furniture can cause headaches for any homeowner. You don’t want to buy a table that’s too big or too small for your dining room, and you definitely don’t want to deal with the hassle of making returns. This is where you designer shines. Teaming up with a professional decorator helps you sidestep all of the hassle. By working together to assess your current layout, you’ll find the furniture that will fit—and elevate—every room in your home.

This process can be particularly helpful for those who have just moved into a new home. Sometimes the furniture you were happy using in the past doesn’t work the same way in a new layout. When this occurs, you might be better off making new purchases. Then again, you might be expanding your square footage and not have enough furniture to fill your home! Either way, working with an expert can ease the transition. Selecting new pieces of furniture, whether it’s a headboard for your bed, or just an accent chair for your guestroom can go much smoother with a designer’s touch.

Enhancing Your Current Layout

Other homeowners benefit from a redesign of the existing furniture. If you’re already happy with the items that you own, you can still get great advice from a professional designer. Maybe you could never quite figure out how to manage your open floor layout. Or perhaps you’re still struggling with the furniture placement in your living room or basement hangout. Rather than settle for an arrangement that’s uncomfortable, let a home stylist fix your layout so it works from every angle!

At Home Matters, we love working with these types of redesign projects. The possibilities are almost endless when it comes to setting up your home, but with your personal aesthetic and our design expertise, we’ll help you strike the balance between stylish and functional. Our move-in design services and other redesign packages are great for homeowners all across the Central Indiana area. To get started on your own project, just give us a call at (317) 774-7025. We’d be happy to schedule a design consultation with you to help make your home the haven you deserve!