6 Ways to Take Your Home From Drab to Fab

Have you ever walked into a home and said to yourself, “I LOVE this! Why can’t my home feel like this?” You might even be trying to make your home feel “that way” by updating furniture, paint, and throwing in a few trendy colors and patterns. But in the end, your still longing for something, that wow feeling when you walk in the door. You’re still looking for a space that is warm, welcoming, polished and not only looks but feels complete.

The reason why you just can’t seem to pull it all together, usually comes down to two words, architectural detail. Now if you know me, you know you’ve heard me say a thousand times that my biggest pet peeve when it comes to home building these days, is they’ve taken out all of the fun, character adding details in order to cut costs, which in turn allows them to sell to a broader market and make more profit. Homes today (unless you build custom or semi-custom) are plain jane. They’re simple things like a decent base-board, window casing (or even just a window sill for that matter), mouldings, curves and other “small” details that make a huge impact in your home. Go ahead, take a look around you. Do your windows have any time of trim work? Do you have a range hood that is integrated into your cabinets? Are you baseboards 2-3 inches tall? …I thought so.

So what can you do about it now? Well, if you’re in the process of building a new home, or are about to, talk to your building NOW or get an Interior Designer to help you relay to your builder what you are wanting to add and get a quote. If you’re already in your home, many of these items are an easy DIY or you can hire a contractor too and add these items one at a time as your budget allows.

Below are six things you can do to add detail and interest to your home to take it from a drab, cookie cutter look to a fabulous semi-custom look that will make your spaces feel more complete. Because let’s be honest, most design styles beg for some type of detailing in order to make it all come together. So, let’s get started!

First up is the easy one that anyone can do, and that’s moulding. I’m talking about your baseboards, crown moulding and window and door casings. These are items that are using lacking all together, are what is there leaves you with something to be desired. A standard installed baseboard is typically about 3 inches. Which is great if you live in the Shire. We need to beef those bad boys up. I’m talking about doubling it in size. You don’t want to go too big unless you live in house with huge rooms and 20’ foot ceilings. Aim for a baseboard between 5-6” depending on your ceiling heights and what fits best in your home. Next, add some crown moulding. You don’t have to do it in every room, but in the spaces you want to feel more dressed up, do it. Like you master bedroom, living/dining rooms and kitchens. And last, my BIGGEST pet peeve ever…window casings. Why is it so hard to put in even a simple window sill? I’m so over the bare windows, you that sheet rock/paint combo that blends in with the rest of your wall? Please, please, if there is anything you do—trim out your windows people! It will make such a HUGE difference in your home, trust me! And if you need help figuring out how you need to do it, I’m only a phone call away.

Next up is scene-setting ceilings. This kind of goes hand in hand with moudlings. I’m talking about coffered ceilings, reclaimed wood beams, etc. These elements can quickly convey a style for your home and add instant eye-catching detail. Just remember, don’t forget to look up when designing your space, it’s just as important as things at eye level.

This next tip will actually cover numbers 3 & 4. Integrated design. I’m sure you’ve all lived in a place with the microwave over the range or with a small metal range vent over the range with cabinets on top of that. You know what I’m talking about right? This may have even been all you’ve ever known. But I’m telling you, take out that wimpy vent/cabinet combo or microwave and add an integrated range hood above your stove. You will be so surprised and what that will do you for your kitchen! Those outdated, but oh so popular combos can be such an eyesore in a kitchen. Add a beautiful rand hood that blends in with the rest of your cabinetry and voila!

The second phase of integrated design is giving your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and upgraded look. Make your space feel more like a living space by adding furniture-style features. Whether that’s decorative legs on a kitchen island or details at the base of your cabinets, it will give you that character you’ve been looking for.

Next, wake up your walls with wainscoting, chair railing, decorative moulding, textured wall paper, or reclaimed wood walls. There are soooo many different style in each of these categories that there is something out there to suit your needs. Just don’t go overboard. This again is not something that needs to be done in every room.

And last, spruce up your stairs and make an entrance with a well-designed staircase. Consider converting a carpeted staircase to a wood one, or if you have wood already, adding a cement or patterned tile to each riser. Or consider replacing the newel (post at the bottom of staircase that supports the handrail) with something more substantial with a decorative finial to help anchor the landing.

And there you have it. A rather lengthy, soap boxy post on how ways to take your home from drab to fab! And because I love you, and because you’re still here, I’m going to give you 25% off a 1 hour consultation (normally $50). So if you need help deciding which of these tips is best suited for your home, or what you can DIY and what is best to call a contractor for, etc., drop us a line and we’ll get you hooked up. J