10 ways to perk up any space

1. Watch the weather: Most everything changes with the season, from our wardrobes to the foods we eat. Let your home change, too. Whether you swap out throw pillows, bed linens or dishes, be true to the season of the moment,

2. Pull the rug out: If you’re redecorating, or revamping, the rug is a great place to start. A great rug makes a great room.

3. Pillow fight: Pillows are a fast and fabulous way to inject color, texture and warmth to any room.

4. Sit on it A snazzy stool can double as a cocktail table, extra seating or simply an accessory. You can go wild with a stool even if the rest of the room is conservative.

5. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat again. Repetition makes things look more important. Three mirrors are better than one. Three pillows are better than one. Three photographs are better than one. Three of anything you collect is better than one. Don’t get me started on five…..

6. Put on a display The reason we love to browse through shops is because the wares are artfully displayed,. Do the same to your home. Organize accessories by color, type or style. Do you collect old cameras or coffee pots? Group them.

7. Play favorites You’ve heard the advice for women about getting fully dressed and then removing one peice of jewelry? The same goes for your home. You can’t “wear” everything you own. Choose favorite pieces to display. Bring others out seasonally (see #1) and try to display a little less than your first instinct tells you.

8. Bring on the bling: Speaking of jewelry and accessories, your table is where you want to strut your stuff. If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Think of your table as an outfit and dress it up. Put rings on  napkins, shades on candles, chargers under plates. Use flowers and napkins to add a splash of color.

9 Have hang ups : You don’t have to buy priceless originals to have a home filled with art.  Look for student art or reproductions, but never underestimate the power of one large piece of art. It can truly focus and transform a room.

10. Get fresh: Fruit, flowers, branches and plants all add a necessary breath of life to any room. A bowl of apples looks great on a cocktail table. A platter piled high with lemons adds energy to your entry. A single showy flower in a bud vase makes your bedroom feel more inviting.