Whether you are downsizing or increasing your living space, it is always exciting purchasing a new home. While there are many factors to consider when redecorating, for new homeowners the challenge often lies in finding ways to fill additional space. Granted in Vancouver, given the small space you may find yourself in for the money, finding storage that works can also be a key issue. In this blog, we will offer some easy, yet very effective, creative tips for adding warmth to a new home.
- Add a little color
We have said it before and will say it again; it is amazing what a little color can do for a room! If your new home feels too spacious, choose a paint color that will add warmth to the space. In design, warm colors such as reds, oranges, yellows, and browns, tend to add warmth to a large room. They are a great option for making a space feel cozy and inviting.
- Fill the walls
Artwork is perfect for filling white space in a home. It can add warmth and character to space by drawing the viewer’s eye to different areas of a room. Buying art doesn’t always have to be expensive either. There are many inexpensive options including framing posters, adding wall decals, or making your own art to hang on a wall. IKEA is a great option for buying inexpensive frames and there are many creative art decals available at Opus stores in Vancouver. Personally I like to collect art when I travel-and what I buy is never at the galleries but more likely a hand done batik of a village scene in Africa or a neck extending collar from another African country (which I then frame)…none of these are expensive but add a lot of life to walls!
- Hit up the flea market
If buying new furniture is not in the budget for you, a flea market is a great option for finding one-of-a-kind items at a reasonable cost. There are many great flea markets happening across the city including the Vancouver Flea Market, which goes on every Saturday and Sunday of each week. When I bought my first home my realtor sent me there to look for accessories. He told me that anything tarnished can be brought back with polish or a can of flat black spray paint-I still have one of those pieces and I still love it!
As you can see, these three tips don’t require a lot of money, but are a fun way to be creative. If you are interested in Vancouver real estate and are looking for a new home this summer, feel free to give me a call. As a third generation REALTOR®, I would be happy to introduce you to numerous homes and help you find that perfect space you have been looking for….while borrowing money is still almost free!
