Small Home Updates That Make A Big Impact

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I’m about to tell you something really glamorous.

When you’re in your 40s you might just spend a whole Saturday afternoon steaming your curtains. And you’re damn glad you did it.

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It’s really gratifying that after several weeks, our new house is finally starting to feel like our home.

We’ve gone slow. This time. Because I usually rush around trying to fill every space and every wall and cover every surface to make it feel cozy, then end up hating it all in a few months.

But this time it took me weeks to put up curtains and lights. And to be honest, most of my walls are still bare. And I love it. I feel like I’m really getting to know the house before deciding what it needs.

And my win this weekend was smooth curtains.

Steam your curtains

Out of the package, they’re all creased and wrinkled, but some time with a steamer made all the difference. I wouldn’t go out in a pretty dress with it all wrinkled, so I didn’t want my beautiful new curtains hanging that way either.

This is the steamer I used and it worked great:

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Here are a few more small home updates that can make a big style difference:

Small Home Updates That Makes A Big Impact

Update lighting

One of the first things we needed when we moved into our new home was pendant lights and chandeliers. There were a few already in place, but many areas were basically in the dark until we picked out some lighting.

I set out to furnish and decorate our home in an earthy style, with lots of earth tones, wood, and glass.

That’s why I picked these gorgeous clear glass globe chandelier and pendant lights for the kitchen and dining area.

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Hang new art work

While many of my walls remain empty until I decide what I think they need, I knew I wanted this painting in my house.

This beautiful piece was painted by an artist in St Thomas. My husband and I bought it from her on our second honeymoon there four years ago. So it has a special place in my heart. Besides that, it’s just one of my favorite paintings of all time.

A new painting, framed poster, or cherished family photo can brighten a space and make it feel much more comfortable and unique.

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A couple of my favorite places to buy art prints are:

Change out throw pillow covers

Through the years, I have been known to have a pillow problem. I thought you needed to cover every seating surface with them and if there was no room to actually sit among all the pillows, oh well. Oh yeah. and don’t forget to change them out or add to them for each season and holiday.

Guess what, that costs a lot of money, can prevent actually relaxing in your space, and it’s just a bit obnoxious.

So I’ve learned to edit. I have fewer pillows now, which lets me focus on a just a few that I really love. And instead of buying more, I keep the same pillows and switch out the covers. In addition to being cheaper, it’s less wasteful. You’re welcome, planet.