Interior Style That Will Give Your Home A Breath Of New Life

Photo courtesy of Walltawk | Earth tones and natural textures from Walltawk create a warm and welcoming room.

Now that the holidays are behind us and we’ve spent time with family and friends indoors, it’s time to reflect on the functionality and appearance of our homes—and think about what we can refresh and improve for 2024.

If you’re looking to breathe new life into your spaces, here are some options and resources to help you refocus on some minor upgrades with big impact. 

Photo courtesy of Walltawk | Handmade wallpaper from Walltawk.

WALL COVERINGS

Batya Stepleman, founder and owner of Walltawk, a wallpaper boutique that sources independent wall coverings, suggests a change-up to existing spaces with a “fifth wall”—meaning installing a bold fabric or paper on the ceiling of a room. “Try to have rooms speak to each other by using colors that complement each other,” she says. “A current trend is nature (the Earth’s terracotta, greens, trees and the desert). There’s a healing connection to nature, and it’s a great way to refresh.”

Another direction is to use a paper mimicking the gilded era of the 1920s or the wild ’70s. “With such flux and difficulty in the world right now, people are looking back in time at history and the way things used to be,” Stepleman says. Or, she suggests installing a warm grasscloth wall covering in a family room, or a bold mural scenic paper on one large wall of a dining room for texture and interest.

For a more affordable refresh, try using the peel-and-stick wallpapers that look pricey but can be easily installed and removed. “Try lining an open bathroom cabinet or the back of a bookcase in an office,” she says. Many of these papers can be found on sites such as Etsy and are easy DIY projects, without having to hire a professional installer. 

Photo courtesy of Studio M

LIGHTING

Strategic placing of table or floor lamps can drastically change the feeling of a room, says Karen Moore, owner of Djuna, an interior design and home store (formerly in Denver and now in Basalt). “A trendy style of lamp can become a point of interest and create a mood in a room,” she says. “Natural-looking wicker lamp shades offer a different feel when the light shines through the weaving of the basket. Things aren’t as harsh and shiny these days.”

Moore also suggests adding or changing pendant lights over a sink or island. “Three to six small pendants can be changed out to two large chandeliers for a more dramatic look,” she says. In a corner of a room, try hanging a crystal fixture from the ceiling instead of a floor lamp, and then swag the cord to a plug so you don’t have to rewire the entire room. Big impact.

If you like an existing lamp base, you can always switch out the lampshade for a new look. “Design a custom shade or order something with an unusual fabric or a modern shape,” Moore says. “The older, bell lamp shade style is no longer popular, but the drum look is definitely in right now.” 

Photo courtesy of Studio M | One-of-a-kind pillows from Studio M instantly add drama and layered style.

PILLOWS

It’s not necessary to overhaul all of your existing furniture to spruce up a living space. This can be done with the simple replacements of tired, worn pillows or rugs. Molly Reinhardt, founder of Studio M on South Broadway, says that homeowners can refresh their living space for $750 to $1,000 with custom pillows. “It gives you an entirely new room, especially when the pillows are double sided,” she says. “It changes a whole room.”

These days, most people are sticking with neutrals in wool, tweed and velvet in patchwork designs for pillows, but some are taking a color risk to match a rug or piece of artwork. Reinhardt’s clients come to her studio and pick out their own pieces from a large selection of materials, such as fur, feathers, tassels, cords and silk. She also reupholsters bench cushions, chair pads and ottomans for a new, current look. 

Photo courtesy of Kate Finds Art | A print by Colorado artist Marsha Robinson floated inside a natural wood frame.

ARTWORK

“Simply put, the best way to refresh a home is art and a new coat of white paint,” says Kate Meyers, owner/founder of Kate Finds Art, a personal art consultant firm in Colorado. “For the most part, when you look at a couch or a sofa, it doesn’t make you happy or speak to you in an emotionally connecting way—but art does. If you have good art, it elevates everything.”

Without spending a lot of money on new pieces, Meyers suggests moving your existing art around the house and rethinking each room. “You want everything to feel like it belongs at the party, so you may have to get rid of the things that are still wonderful but don’t fit the bill anymore.”

If you do want to invest in some new pieces, check out the many independent local artists on Instagram and at flea markets and art festivals. “The galleries are great, but you are paying top dollar,” Meyers notes. “Art is expensive, but you don’t have to spend a ton to make it look high-end.”

“Another idea is to take a look at the framing,” Meyers says. “Old-school, dark frame styles can be dated, but reframing can make a drastic difference.” Current trends in framing include floating artwork without a traditional mat and using natural wood or white painted frames. Many online framing companies offer some great deals, in comparison to the brick-and-mortar framing shops, she suggests. 

Photo courtesy of Homebody | Earthtoned tablescapes, candles and woven textures help create a feeling of calm, from Homebody.

ACCESSORIES

An easy way to refresh a space is with new tabletop items, such as vases, pots or trays, or to swap out basic hardware—cabinet pulls or doorknobs—in the direction of a trendy brass or nickel finish.

Dory Pratt, owner of Homebody on Sixth Avenue in Denver, is seeing a lot of earth tones trending in design, trickling down to home accessories. “Everything is looking more organic, as natural materials and colors are favored in the home design industry.” She suggests intermingling styles and ages of the pieces one curates. “It’s great to put vintage and antiques with modern and contemporary pieces,” she says. “For instance, in a modern home with modern furniture, it’s fun to put some antique vases, pots or trays out there. The juxtaposition is what looks cool and interesting.”

When setting a table, Pratt encourages mixing patterns and colors, whether it be bed linens or using different pieces of dish-ware together. “It’s so fun having your glasses all be different colors,” she suggests. “Get creative with it and don’t be afraid to take risks.”  

Rebecca Gart is a Denver-based writer focused on home design, food, art, travel and architecture.