Simple swaps to refresh your interior without doing a major project

But there are ways to freshen up your home without going to extreme lengths like repainting, renovations and new furniture. Two interior designers have shared their tips for simple swaps you can make in your home to help freshen it up and create a new look.

Greg Natale, founder of Greg Natale Design, says the best investment you can make to change the feel of your home is artwork.

“For me, the best investment you can make is artwork. It speaks of your passions and style, and it never fails to make a statement in your home,” he says. “I think people can take art too seriously and forget that the most important things are firstly that you love it and secondly that it works for your place.”

After artwork, rugs come in a close second on Natale’s list of items worth investing in, believing they are an asset to any room.

“It’s worth spending time and money to get the right piece. Rugs are a beautiful way to bring balance, adding pattern and interest to a pared-back space or toning down the detail of other areas,” he says.

Lauren Li,  creative director at Sisalla Interior Design, also believes artwork is a great addition, explaining how moving your favourite pieces around the home is a really simple way to create a fresh vibe in different rooms.

“Try moving the artwork around the home,” she says. “You might swap a painting in the bedroom to the living room, or try grouping them together to create a gallery wall.”

If artwork isn’t to your taste, another simple way to refresh a room is by swapping cushions.

“Try swapping out the cushion covers for an instant face-lift. Go for some cosy faux fur or shearling cushion covers for a wintery look,” says Li.

“I think changing your cushions is a relatively easy and really powerful way to bring a fresh look to an interior,” adds Natale. “They pack such a visual punch, so a little change goes a long way. What’s more, you can play with swapping different colours and patterns without turning the entire design of your house upside-down.”

Bringing the outside in with items like floral arrangements, and other small items like ornaments and candles, can also really elevate a space and create a whole new feel.

“A beautiful big vase filled with sculptural branches adds drama and can help fill and empty space, such as in an entry or stair landing. Branches are more cost-effective than fresh flowers and last a lot longer,” says Li. “Willow branches enhance the wintery look at home.”

Natale agrees, saying that house accessories are the “final, fabulous layer of interior design”.

“Ornaments make for easy swaps due to the variety of shapes, finishes and effects they offer,” he says. “And the simplest change is probably flowers – just bringing a fresh bunch of blooms into your house will not only reset the look but the scent as well.”

Because of the time of the year, it might be a good idea to think about the colours in use when changing decor. Natale suggests shades of red.

“We seem to be going through a red phase at the moment, with everything from maroon, brick and pink to burnt orange and mustard enjoying a resurgence,” he says.

“All these colours bring a welcome injection of warmth to combat the cold outside. For those who don’t relish the red tones, navy blue is an elegant choice that is as comforting as it is classic.”