Tips for renewing and refreshing home for a new year

 Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network • Jan. 7, 2023

And just like that, a new year begins. With new dreams, hopes and possibilities. A time to take inventory and come up with a plan that includes what’s most important to us in our homes for 2023. Refocus and reset.

 It takes time to create a home that’s our sanctuary. And it also takes thought and a plan. We can’t do everything at once because of time and/or budget. But we can make a list and set some priorities. A good guideline is to keep it simple and remember: trends are fun but classic style is never outdated.

 And whether “home” is a temporary rental, a studio apartment, condo or estate home, we all want the same thing when we walk in the door: peace and comfort. It’s the only resolution worth having (in my opinion) because if you have peace and comfort, you have everything.

 Each January, after the decorations are put away, I like to take some time to think about how I can renew and refresh. A little reboot for myself and my home. A bit of a reimaging for the New Year. A tweak here and there. Some fine-tuning.

 It can mean anything from new paint to new sofa pillows to a new kitchen backsplash. Depending on your situation, you may be doing major repairs and renovations or looking for a few changes. Here are a few of my suggestions. Maybe a few will work for you or at least give you a little inspiration.

 ·       First, take a photo of the room. A design trick! There is nothing like a photo to help you zero in on what you need. Artwork? New lighting? A new rug? Furniture rearrangement? I promise this tells the truth and will help you to say goodbye to what isn’t working.

·       If you will be hiring a contractor to help with your home, have a plan that includes your vision for your space before work begins. As a Fort Myers interior decorator, I tell my clients it needs to be your home and your vision not that of your contractor. They can help bring it to fruition but it should be with your input.

·       If you’re renovating your kitchen, incorporate a beautiful hood over the range, instead of the often-placed microwave in that spot. And if you are replacing cabinets, take them all the way to the ceiling and close up that useless space between the top of the cabinet to the ceiling.

Try a fresh approach with new throw pillows like these in timeless blue and white. Thibaut Design combines its Brighton Settee in Freeport woven fabric in almond with boxed pillows in Honshu printed fabric in blue and beige. Visit www.thibautdesigns.com Photo Thibaut Design.

·       Too much minimalism can be, well, too much. The trend now is toward rooms that are lived in and blend vintage pieces with modern and a pop of color. Rooms that tell your story.

·       Add some sparkle. An outrageously beautiful chandelier over your bed. If it means removing a fan, give it a try. You can always switch it back or you may love it so much that you don’t give it a thought.

·       Pick one accent color and flow it through your home: paint, pillows, flowers, wall covering, a tray on a table. A little sprinkle here and there. This is an easy one.

Maybe this is the year you will step out and be brave about a new color that speaks to you! Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year for 2023, Raspberry Bliss is a bright coral with a little pinky orange. Bold and happy, maybe it’s just what we need after so much beige. Photo: Benjamin Moore.

·       Hang a pot rack in the kitchen. This gives the space a new look with a gourmet kitchen feel (even if you never cook).

·       Rethink the walls. Maybe this is the year that you go for a huge change and invest in a beautiful wallcovering. Botanicals are popular and you can’t go wrong. Powder rooms are perfect for this treatment. 

·       Love a new color but afraid to use too much of it? Paint an inside door and the trim. This is a great way to incorporate color with a neutral palette.

·       Supersize lighting. Kitchen pendants and chandeliers are all trending huge and it is a great look. Go big if you are replacing lighting. No more small pendants floating in the space.

·       Call for help! This may be the year that you decide to call one of us to help you come up with a plan. A designer or decorator can keep you from making mistakes, come up with creative solutions that you have never considered and we have great sources.

·        Say goodbye to old headboards, old throw pillows, old wallpaper, plastic patio furniture, and builder lighting. Replace with something fresh and new.

Don’t be afraid to try something new. A cozy window seat window for reading. Maybe a beautiful wallcovering for a bathroom or dining room. Outrageously beautiful fabric to give new life to chairs that have seen better days. Plant colorful flowers in your front yard for a little curb appeal and to make you happy every time you come home.  

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog