Over the past few weeks, we've combed through several interior design magazines and found the four timeless pieces of advice that never seem to go out of style – the rest is up to you!

Whether we like it or not, our homes reveal a lot about us. A simple thing like fresh linens and a white duvet cover says something about our cleanliness, while our living room book collection gives a peak into our inner world. Thus, just like their owners, homes need a bit of upkeep from time to time. What a haircut does for us, a paint job may do for our kitchens.  

An overdue paint job – a breath of fresh air

When considering a home renovation, we tend to look at the bottom line – how much will it cost? After all, most of us aren't in the position to redesign our homes on a whim. Fortunately, there is a way of giving your home a fresh start without a second mortgage – a painting project. Redoing the walls is easy, affordable, and could even turn into a great party. All you need is a couple of brushes, the right colors, and a group of friends bribed with the promise of a barbecue.

As for the color – that's up to you. Interior design trends will come and go, but your home will remain where you are. Therefore, make it a mirror of your family. If you're planning on giving your living room a contemporary vibe, choose a bold color and pair it with some patterned curtains to make a statement. On the other hand, if your ultimate goal is a serene bedroom, choose a more neutral color and accompany it with some nude linens. 

Lumière – the importance of lighting 

Whether we paint the walls flamingo pink or matte nude, a room is incomplete without the right lighting. Knowing how and when the light should hit ties a room together. More than a few of us are in desperate need of new interior lights, especially those from larger cities. Metropolitan areas are famous for housing too many people on too little land – and with this comes a lack of natural light. Thus, while living in downtown Brisbane may liven up your social life, it will do little to lighten up the kitchen. 

Fortunately, replacing the lighting in your home doesn't need to be a grand financial undertaking. You shouldn't just rip out pre-existing bulbs and replace them. Instead, see which rooms in your city apartment receive the least light and bring in new light sources. Of course, if the pre-existing bulbs do little or nothing for the space, they should be replaced. When doing this, it's important to consult with an electrician. Fortunately, a trustworthy Brisbane electrician won't be hard to find. Once they've looked at the place, they'll know which type of bulb works and will help to avoid an unnecessary short circuit.

The kitchen – the place to be

Somehow, kitchens have become the new living rooms – the place where everyone comes together and where everything happens. While we may never know the reason behind this shift, it brings an interesting idea: a kitchen remodel. 

As it becomes the home's social hub, our kitchens should look the part. This entails creating a space that is both beautiful and functional. While updating the appliances is always recommended, your kitchen remodel should be more about style than anything else. The kitchen cabinets should get a fresh coat of paint, while the shelves could use a little greenery – possibly fresh basil and parsley plants. Last, the centerpiece should always be the kitchen island – a place for friends and family to come together. You'll be all set for a dinner party with a few stylish bar stools and pillows!

Don’t forget to take care of your marble countertop too! Give it a fresh new look by using buffing wheels for luster.

Home offices – the new normal 

Even though it was unimaginable just a few years back, working from home has slowly become our new normal. As the world kept turning while we all worked from home, this hybrid business model is here to stay. However, since this is no longer just a phase, your home will need some adjusting. In short, it's time to add a home office. 

Ideally, a home office should create a separate room in the house, away from the kitchen and living room. This will create distance between your home and work life even though you're not technically out of the house. That said, not all of us have spare rooms for the taking – this just means it's time to get creative. Office space can be placed in the living room or bedroom corner. The important thing is to separate the space so that this portion of the room visually constitutes a work area rather than the social hub of the house. Add a touch of greenery with a faux olive tree.

Final thoughts

There are quite a few projects on this list, but you're not obligated to go through them all. After all, no one's aiming to turn their home into a construction zone. You should see what your home desperately needs – is it new lights or a designated work corner? Once you've gotten that part down, it's time to hit the hardware store.

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