{"id":6797,"date":"2024-05-12T18:33:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-12T17:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/?p=6797"},"modified":"2024-06-02T10:57:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-02T09:57:52","slug":"25-easy-tips-to-update-your-home-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/tips-and-advice\/25-easy-tips-to-update-your-home-part-1","title":{"rendered":"25 easy tips to update your home part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>There are lots of quick and easy ways to revamp your home ready for the spring. In the next few blog posts I will share my top 25 tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tidy the front of your house<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/London-Door.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/London-Door.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/London-Door.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/London-Door-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/London-Door-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After this long wet winter, you\u2019ll find your garden path, walls and any external woodwork can look a bit tired. Get out the pressure washer and blast any dirt away. Then you can get on with repairing any loose mortar and repainting window cills and doors to freshen them up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your front door is looking a bit tired, a good sanding down and a couple of coats of paint will give it a completely new look. I am loving all the dark blue and olive green doors I am seeing now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Revamp your outdoor furniture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/undef_src_sa_picid_804830_x_760_type_color_image.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"760\" height=\"570\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/undef_src_sa_picid_804830_x_760_type_color_image.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/undef_src_sa_picid_804830_x_760_type_color_image.jpeg 760w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/undef_src_sa_picid_804830_x_760_type_color_image-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While you are focusing on the outside of your house, give your outdoor furniture a lick of paint and create a whole new look to your garden. I love a brightly coloured bistro set or a pretty blue and white seaside inspired look to transport me to sunnier climes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Paint your floorboards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/JJLocationsDulwich4067.1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/JJLocationsDulwich4067.1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6838\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/JJLocationsDulwich4067.1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/JJLocationsDulwich4067.1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/JJLocationsDulwich4067.1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have old floorboards which aren\u2019t in good enough shape to stain, why not paint them? White- or pastel-coloured floorboards look pretty in bedrooms and can just be repainted when they get dirty. Black or dark grey floorboards look chic when varnished to give them a sophisticated look. You do need to sand your floorboards to prep them but after that it\u2019s an easy job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Upcycle an old cupboard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Annie-Sloan-Hallway-Chalk-Paint-in-Paprika-Red-Coolabah-Green-Wall-Paint-in-Piranesi-Pink-lifestyle-Portrait-2-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"688\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Annie-Sloan-Hallway-Chalk-Paint-in-Paprika-Red-Coolabah-Green-Wall-Paint-in-Piranesi-Pink-lifestyle-Portrait-2-1024x688.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6839\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Annie-Sloan-Hallway-Chalk-Paint-in-Paprika-Red-Coolabah-Green-Wall-Paint-in-Piranesi-Pink-lifestyle-Portrait-2-1024x688.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Annie-Sloan-Hallway-Chalk-Paint-in-Paprika-Red-Coolabah-Green-Wall-Paint-in-Piranesi-Pink-lifestyle-Portrait-2-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Annie-Sloan-Hallway-Chalk-Paint-in-Paprika-Red-Coolabah-Green-Wall-Paint-in-Piranesi-Pink-lifestyle-Portrait-2-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Annie-Sloan-Hallway-Chalk-Paint-in-Paprika-Red-Coolabah-Green-Wall-Paint-in-Piranesi-Pink-lifestyle-Portrait-2-1536x1032.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Annie-Sloan-Hallway-Chalk-Paint-in-Paprika-Red-Coolabah-Green-Wall-Paint-in-Piranesi-Pink-lifestyle-Portrait-2-2048x1376.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Spring is the time flea markets and car boots start up again and I love to look for old bits of furniture to upcycle. Reimagine them with a new coat of paint and a new function. An old pine cupboard can become a kitchen larder, or a melamine display cabinet can hold all your favourite toiletries in the bathroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Buy some new house plants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/26-best-indoor-plants.jpg.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/26-best-indoor-plants.jpg-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6840\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/26-best-indoor-plants.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/26-best-indoor-plants.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/26-best-indoor-plants.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/26-best-indoor-plants.jpg-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/26-best-indoor-plants.jpg-460x260.webp 460w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/26-best-indoor-plants.jpg.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Adding house plants instantly makes a home more spring-like. Remember though, that your choice of plant pots is as important as your choice of plants. Colourful Mexican pots and macrame plant hangings give a boho vibe, while crisp white ceramics in geometric shapes look fresh and contemporary.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Source new curtains or blinds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COLF4610-02_1_z.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COLF4610-02_1_z-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COLF4610-02_1_z-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COLF4610-02_1_z-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COLF4610-02_1_z-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COLF4610-02_1_z-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COLF4610-02_1_z-50x50.jpg 50w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/COLF4610-02_1_z.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Replace any dark heavy curtains for light fabrics like linen and voile to let in plenty of light.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your curtains and blinds are a great way to introduce colour and pattern into your home. In a neutral home, the introduction of a bit of pattern on a Roman blind can be all you need to lift a room from bland to beautiful. I love bright florals or pretty stripes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Let there be light<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Pooky-Lighting.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"http:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Pooky-Lighting.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5781\" style=\"width:838px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Pooky-Lighting.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Pooky-Lighting-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Pooky-Lighting-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Pooky-Lighting-50x50.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t underestimate the power of changing your lighting. A backlit mirror, a picture light over a statement piece of art or dimmer switches in the kitchen can make a huge difference to the atmosphere of a room. Lamps create interesting lighting in a room and there has never been such a huge choice of lampshades as there are now.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Go crazy for cushions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Soho-Home-cushions.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Soho-Home-cushions-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5713\" style=\"width:839px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Soho-Home-cushions-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Soho-Home-cushions-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Soho-Home-cushions-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Soho-Home-cushions.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Cushions can add texture to the room and are a great way of changing the style and feel of your home in the spring. Swop wool or velvet cushions for linen cushions in soft muted colours and you\u2019ll have a completely different look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Replace your rug<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/A17949_1024x1024@2x.jpg.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/A17949_1024x1024@2x.jpg-1024x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6841\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/A17949_1024x1024@2x.jpg-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/A17949_1024x1024@2x.jpg-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/A17949_1024x1024@2x.jpg-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/A17949_1024x1024@2x.jpg-768x768.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/A17949_1024x1024@2x.jpg-50x50.webp 50w, https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/A17949_1024x1024@2x.jpg.webp 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A new rug can also create a completely new look. A fabulous, patterned rug will add depth to a room and pull an open plan space together. Layered rugs look great on a wooden floor. If a rug isn\u2019t big enough, a top tip is to buy a large sisal rug and use that as your base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next week I will share more of my top tips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are lots of quick and easy ways to revamp your home ready for the spring. Here I share my top 25 tips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6839,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[429,167],"class_list":["post-6797","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-and-advice","tag-revamp","tag-spring"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6797","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6797"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6797\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6846,"href":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6797\/revisions\/6846"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6839"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clairstrong.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}