Simple Changes to Home Makeover Pay Huge Dividends—Professionals Not Required
With an eye for inexpensive yet dramatic alteration, the designer highlights easy, budget-friendly adjustments that can dramatically change a space—without a professional on board. These real-world examples show how to freshen up a room without the contractor, big budget, or lots of time.
It began when the designer surprised a close friend by redecorating their home while they were on their honeymoon. In the span of one day, the staff redid the room by replacing some of the light fixtures and adding sleek, functional furniture. It was that spontaneous makeover that led to the idea of an entire « Mini Reni. » « Fast and simple flips are what I got addicted to design, » the designer says. « They prove to you that you don’t have to pull down walls or spend a fortune to update a room with a whole new vibe—sometimes, it’s the small stuff that makes the biggest difference. »
Keep and Restyle Old Components—Don’t Rip Them Out
The homeowners wanted their living room to feel like a modern, intimate den. To stay within budget, the designer focused on high-impact updates like new lighting, fresh furniture, and fresh paint. The room came with old wood paneling and ceiling tiles to replace. But rather than stripping the room, the designer painted walls and ceiling in a deep green hue—Cottage Grove from the Magnolia line—creating a cozy, jewel-box feel. « We used this dramatic green on a castle renovation in Waco, and I love how welcoming it is, no matter if you’re in a historic home or a casual residence, » says the designer.
Walls were prepared by sanding with 220-grit sandpaper, followed by a coat of Kilz Original oil-based primer, which prevents stains and covers up wood knots.
Neutral items like a long Ford sectional and a giant Loloi area rug were added to offset the extravagance of the green. « We didn’t want to re-do the floors, but in keeping it simple, we just didn’t do them, » says the designer. Instead, they used a neutral rug to balance against the existing tile floor. The trick? Use as much of the floor as you can to « mellow out the whole room. »
Begin With Essential Furniture Items, Then Add Layers
Thoughtful design choices can help you build a room that’s balanced, even if you only have a few hours to get it done. The designer began with some anchor pieces, such as a high wood hutch, a large two-piece Ford sectional, and graphic Dan Hobday paintings. « I like to leave some breathing room, so I didn’t put something in every corner, » the designer explains. Tip from them? Pay attention to where the eye goes, then finish decorating those areas first.
Once the large pieces were in place, they filled in the details with a fiddle-leaf fig, a mirror, and accessories. « Together, these things create a feeling of harmony that makes the room beautiful and functional, » the designer goes on.
Use Texture and Contrast to Create Depth
In its original dimensions, the dining room was a tabula rasa—white walls, white trim, white ceiling. To add some depth to the room, the designer added wood slats on the ceiling for visual interest, added four-inch crown molding, and painted the ceiling in Drawing Room, a pale gray from the Magnolia line. To replicate the same appearance, the designer suggests adding one-by-six-inch boards four inches apart and using paint-grade wood if budget is not a concern.
With a limited timeframe for renovation, the designer’s creativity had to be sparked with items that couldn’t be relocated—like an HVAC closet door on the back wall. Rather than hiding it, they made the best of it by adding applied molding and painting it to match the gray ceiling. « It’s in plain sight, so I thought, why not make it look intentional? » the designer says.
As for furniture, keep it simple: a curved edge oval dining table, black Hawkins dining chairs for contrast, and velvet light-filtering curtains that the designer calls the « unsung heroes » of the room. They add warmth and bring in « luxe texture » without blocking the natural light.
Lean Into Color Coordination for a Cohesive Look
The master bedroom in the original house was another clean slate—white walls, white trim. The designer brought it to life with navy blue paint on the trim and matching Magnolia (Sunday Best) wallpaper in a white-and-navy design below it. « Pigmenting all the trim the same color serves to really connect the walls visually, » the designer says. And, matching the wallpaper’s navy to the trim provides depth and visual cadence.
If you’re new to wallpaper, the designer recommends avoiding grid patterns such as this one unless you hire a pro—organic patterns are more gentle on beginners.
To tie everything together, small touches mattered. Glittering chrome hardware quietly echoed metallic finishes on the new ceiling fan above. « It’s a small gesture, but I love how it ties the whole room together, » the designer says.
Ultimately, the designer hopes that these tiny, friendly overhauls prove to others that with the right attitude—and some imaginative DIY gear—it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to renovate a home.
