Easy Home Updates That Make a Difference
And a wallpaper mishap
We’ve lived in our home for over a decade now, and lately, I’ve been feeling a little restless. I’m dreaming up a major kitchen renovation (open pop of color? A plaster hood? Who knows!), and we also desperately need to refinish our hardwood floors. But in the meantime, I’m channeling my energy into micro home improvements—small, satisfying upgrades that scratch the itch without blowing the budget. Here’s what I’ve been working on…
Fresh Paint
Apparently, this is the first time I’ve lived in a home long enough to experience the ‘oh, I guess we should repaint’ phase. So here we are, patching cracks, sealing up the holes left by an excessive amount of tape and glue dots, and refreshing our bedroom walls. Confession: I recently covered our entire bedroom in a charming floral wallpaper, only to realize (or rather, have Jordan point out) that it felt like we were sleeping in a baby nursery. I paid to have it professionally removed (lesson learned, money lost) and repainted it in a warm, dreamy neutral recommended by my friend Clara (founder of Banner Day Interiors), who laughed at me—but in a loving way.
A Toiletry Edit
Storage is super scarce in our home and after years of trial and error I’m finally down to a handful of products I love and use. The girls helped me edit down their toiletries to the essentials and we’re passing on the items we don’t need or use to their friends.
A Basement Cleanout
On my punch list: disposing of old outdated paint cans (just search “paint disposal near me”), recycling the old stacks of art my kids don’t care about anymore, and ordering a few weatherproof totes for the seldom-used items my family won’t let me get rid of.
A Lighting Swap
Swapping overhead lights is one of the easiest ways to refresh the look and feel of your home. I’ve ordered some chic new pendants for our kitchen and bedrooms, and I am fully prepared for them to single-handedly transform my home—and possibly my entire outlook on life. Will share update once installed!
New Runners and Door Mats
Our hallway and kitchen get the most traffic, so I’m swapping out our tired runners for something neutral and durable. This sisal number was a steal at $50 and feels like it can withstand whatever life throw at it. For the entry, I always go for the oversized IKEA doormats—simple, classic, and budget-friendly.
A Dining Room Refresh
Our dining table—once a pristine surface—now tells the story of a thousand art projects, complete with Sharpie masterpieces and glue stains. Now that the kids are teenagers, we’re ready for an upgrade—something chic, durable, and big enough to squeeze in all the people we love for long, lingering dinners. I’ve ordered a white oak table and some scandi-inspired chairs and can’t wait to put it all together and host a dinner party.
A New Potted Plant
We are not great at keeping plants alive, and our small potted olive tree has officially called it quits. In its place, I planted a sweet lime tree and have made a solemn vow to keep it alive and thriving. Check back in six months.
What’s one tiny upgrade or home improvement you’ve made lately? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear!
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I like to swap out throw pillow covers (so easy to store during their 'time out') and rearrange art and framed photos. I am all for shopping your own home and creating a fresh look by using what you have in new ways.
Put pothos cuttings in a pretty vase with water! Bullet proof plant life!!