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Written by: Sherri Bruneau
With cooler days and quieter mornings, fall is the ideal season to declutter, add warmth, and breathe new life into your home
While the kids are back in school, the house is quiet, and fall is a great time to take stock inside your home. As the weather becomes cooler, now is a great time to refresh your home. Here are my five budget-friendly tips to refresh your home.
- Declutter. As an extremely organized person, this is number one on my list. Why? There is nothing heavier than a cluttered home. And while you may not physically feel the weight, psychologically you can. For items that are gently used, our go-to donation centre is Habitat for Humanity’s Re-Store. The money earned at a Re-Store goes directly to fund the organization. As a result of having the Re-Store, when you donate to the build, 100 percent of the funds go to the build – not administration. There are guidelines as to what the Re-Store will accept, and the options are to book a time to drop off or organize a pickup time. There are other organizations around our city as well: Goodwill, Value Village, WINS, and The Mustard Seed, to name a few. I find it is always best to call ahead if you have a lot to donate.
- Toss cushions. Whether you have a chair, a sofa, or a sectional, the addition of fall colors can be easily added to your home. While we do not have many brick-and-mortar stores anymore, one of our go-to, budget friendly stores to visit is HomeSense. It is typically at this time of year when fall colors are out (and please don’t tell me Christmas is already out!). The addition of three, five, or even seven toss cushions (yes – I said seven) can change the space from looking soft and summery, to warm and cozy.
- Towels and linens. You would not believe what a difference changing out towels, bedding, and other linens makes to elevate and change a space. Towels and linens come in a variety of price points so you will be able to find something to fit your budget. Bedding is one area where we like to spend a little extra. When you sleep in the comfort of luxury sheets, you will not want to go back. Our number one source for linens is Lusomé. It’s a Canadian company created in Calgary by Lara Smith. I was introduced to Lusomé by my Kingsdown representative, and have not used another linen company since being introduced. Changing out your linens is a great way to refresh a room in your home that you use daily!
- DIY projects. While the kids are now back at school, perhaps a DIY project is in the works. Take stock of what you currently have in your home that may need a refresh. Perhaps it is a dresser, a nightstand, a light fixture, or a piece of furniture that is starting to look tired. Many local stores can assist with any questions you may have regarding our project. Your local Benjamin Moore Store or Sherwin Williams store will be able to assist you with the correct product for your personal project. Don’t have anything to refresh but are looking for just the right piece? Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji would be great places to look for deals on a piece. By refreshing an already existing piece, we are saving another item from filling the landfill.
- Wallpaper. Yes, I said it. Wallpaper has made a huge comeback and, let’s be clear, this is not your grandmother’s wallpaper. Color and pattern have come a long way. The application of wallpaper has also changed to be more user-friendly. The glue is easier to handle and will be easier to come off (if you end up changing your mind). Personally, we hire our wallpaper installer to ensure there are no mistakes. For the DIY’er or if you are embracing wallpaper for the first time, you may also want to try a peel-and-stick wallpaper. While we use our trade sources to select wallpaper, there are many online outlets (such as Wayfair or Amazon) that will have plenty of choices.
Refreshing a home does not need to cost thousands of dollars. What I believe is important is to walk through your home, room by room, and take stock. Are there items in the space that you no longer use or need? Are there items that are tired, old, or discolored? Is there an opportunity to change the function of the space? Are you open to changing the feel of a space? Are you ensuring that items you use in your home are quality items? When you start to really look at your home as your living space, you may start to realize that we spend a lot of time inside (especially as the weather cools). Invest in items that make you happy, make you smile, and make you relax.
Happy fall!
Sheri is the owner of Get It Together. An eye for detail, she is able to proactively plan your entire renovation including the design, ensuring that no item, no matter how small, is missed. For more information about Get It Together and Sheri’s services, visit gityyc.com.
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