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Small Decor Changes Can Lift Your Mood

Posted: 8/12/2010

A sleek new coffee machine can be a designer's dream.

(NAPSI) -Simple changes to your home decor can make a big difference in your mood and attitude. "The right living environment can motivate, inspire and empower you and everyone who walks through your door," notes design expert Stephen Saint-Onge.

What's more, sprucing up your home doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here are some tips to turn your old space into a new haven:

Declutter and design. For a quick design makeover, consider tackling your countertops. According to a recent survey from She Speaks, more than half of women say embarrassment over their cluttered countertops is the No. 1 reason they don't invite guests into their kitchen. A great solution to clear the clutter is to organize items into glass jars. You can even fill the jars with colorful foods or kitchen accessories to help brighten up the space. To emphasize this look, surround the jars with simple black or white picture frames filled with images that play off the color. Saint-Onge suggests showcasing your children's art or even postcards from your travels into simple frames for an instant face-lift.

Fashion meets functionality. Smaller spaces can seem harder to renew. Therefore, choose items that not only work for you, but are also stylish, yet functional. And since outdated kitchen appliances can depress the look of a room that's now become the center of most houses for family and entertaining purposes, Saint-Onge believes that having one unique item as a focal point is crucial. For example, the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto is a stylish, retro-sleek, one-cup coffee machine that's not only pleasing to the eye but makes 10 different types of coffee. Its design stands out on any kitchen counter and it's available in red, black and cream to fit just about any motif. According to Saint-Onge, it's such little details that can bring a room to life.

Shop your house. Everything old can be new again when you repurpose things you already own. That means rearranging items on a bookshelf, moving items to different rooms, or simply switching your throw pillows around. Also, using things you might otherwise discard--an old map, for example, framed as wall art--can be a creative way to add some flair. In other words, look for things you may have stored away and forgotten about.

Treat yourself. Splurge on simple things to complete your new space. Consider a new lamp to make your space brighter, a new collection of everyday dishware or a fresh coat of paint for the kitchen backsplash. Throw in a few new dishtowels, fresh flowers and brew a fresh cup of coffee so you can instantly enjoy the fruits of your labor. Bottom line: Treating yourself needn't break the bank, and you'll literally feel better for it.

For more information, visit www.dolce-gusto.com.

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