ROOM REFRESH

How to take your most lived-in spaces from drab to fab

By Sarah Sole

We see you in the paint section of the home improvement store, aimlessly collecting and comparing paint chips. Is your upper lip beaded with sweat? Do you feel a headache coming on? We know, because we’ve been there. It’s natural to want to update parts of your home’s interior now and then, but the thing is, it’s often hard to know where to start. That’s where we come in.

Thanks to advice from local interior design experts, this section is chock full of the latest, most relevant style and design tips and tricks to instantly upgrade your kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom, and bedroom. When you’re all done, you might just feel like you moved into an entirely new home.

↑ A kitchen featuring blue accent colors

By Melissa Braithwaite / Photos and design tips courtesy of Kitchen Kraft

No Maintenance Required: Homeowners want kitchen products that are easier to clean and maintenance free—That means customers are choosing quartz countertops over granite and luxury vinyl flooring instead of hardwood.

Germ Killing Sinks: The pandemic means germs are on everyone’s mind. It’s a good time to replace that kitchen sink with a granite composite model, which kills 99% of all bacteria on contact, thanks to added ions during the manufacturing process.

Soft and Sophisticated: Goodbye white and gray kitchens; hello taupes and creams. Soft and warm shades are back in the kitchen and throughout the home.

Modern Brass: Fixtures in a satin brass finish are all the rage. The modern look is bold without being over the top.

Even Smarter Appliances: Homes are getting smarter and smarter, and the kitchen is no different. Now, you can find smart faucets controlled by Amazon’s Alexa, integrated coffee machines controlled by an app, washers and dryers that will dispense the perfect amount of detergent for your laundry, and ovens that will roast meat to the perfect temperature.

↑ A satin brass-finished sink

By Melissa Braithwaite Photos and design tips courtesy of Crimson Design Group

Not Just for Eating: The dining room is making a comeback, but not for the reasons you might think. Covid is drawing people to spaces in the home that are contained, and they are using this space casually for homeschool or homework, remote work, and quiet time alone. Add some functional lighting and ditch the tablecloth for a laid-back space.

Eclectic Vibes: Use mismatched place settings and linens that you’ve collected on your travels that also tie in to your home's color pallette, so it feels intentional. Add some chintz to your dining room for function or just fun.

A dining room table sans table cloth ↑

Conversation-Starting Finishes: Whether brightly patterned or textured neutrals, wallpaper can add a wow factor to your dining room. But remember, it doesn't have to just be used on the walls or above the wainscot. Try applying a unique pattern on the ceiling with a contrast trim to make the colors and patterns pop! Play around with colors and textures too.

Outdoor Dining: As we transition from summer to fall, people want to enjoy their outside spaces as long as possible before the Midwest winter hits us. Refresh this space with layered candle light or a natural fire source like a chimney or fire pit for a casual, intimate feel. For extra flair, add a dimmable decorative chandelier to a covered patio, and switch out formal dining chairs for wingback chairs to make the space more comfortable.

Keep It Casual: Traditional, stuffy dining rooms are out. Making your dining room space more casual, intimate, and chic is conducive to more relaxed, informal gatherings and conversations. Simple seating arrangements using wood side chairs or benches have become increasingly popular.

↑ Bold blues color this dining room

By Melissa Braithwaite / Photos and design tips courtesy of Cindy Lynch Kitchen and Bath Design

Cozy Home Spas: Why go out, when you can enjoy a heated floor, steam shower, and soaking tub in your own bathroom?

Bidet It Up: Blame it on the toilet paper shortage of 2020 if you want, but bidets are all the rage. The newest models come with helpful features such as a heated seat and night light.

Fresh Fixture Finishes: Brushed nickel is so five years ago! Check out some of the more modern fixture finishes, like antique brass, arctic steel, and matte black.

Large-Format Tile & Porcelain: To reduce grout joints and increase ease in cleaning, large-format tiles and porcelain slabs are a popular choice for shower walls.

Bold Powder Room: The powder room should be considered the “jewel box” of your house. Details such as lighting and wallpaper can add a lot of interest.

A bathroom with strong natural lighting ↑

← Unique light fixtures adorn this powder room

courtesy of Lauerhass Architecture and design tips By Melissa Braithwaite / Photos Mismatched Furniture: The matchy matchy furniture sets popular over the last 20 years are out. Instead, choose individual pieces that speak to you.

Simple and Serene: Goodbye exercise bikes, desks, and storage boxes; the bedroom is for sleeping. Creating a serene environment for slumber is now the top priority.

Muted Motifs: Although neutrals are trending, some are willing to use color in their private space. Go for muted tones in blues and greens for a relaxed vibe.

Dimmable Lighting: Dimmable bulbs and dimmable switches are much easier to install than ever before. The greater flexibility gives you the kind of lighting you want without the need for multiple fixtures.

Contemporary Ceiling Fans: We know ceiling fans in the bedroom is a divisive topic, but even those opposed should agree that the new super-quiet, retractable-blade fans are cool as hell.

To learn more, visit lauerhassarchitecture.com

← A chic bedroom ceiling fan

By Melissa Braithwaite Photos courtesy of Larry Snider Art & Photography Design tips by Snider Metcalf Interiors

An antique wardrobe spruces up this space ↑

Clean Lines: Less is more these days, and folks are looking to declutter and maintain clean lines in their living spaces. Does it spark joy? If not, do as Marie Kondo says and say goodbye.

Personal Effects: In an effort to simplify their spaces, many people are decorating with their own sentimental objects collected over the years. Gone are the days of only accessorizing your home with brand new things.

Simplified Living: Sanctuary-like living rooms that are comfortable and calming are in. With the uncertainty of the outside world, we all want one thing—a living room that helps us to recharge and offers a calm space to spend time with our families.

Monochrome Magic: Bold, elegant, and unforgettable, decorating in a single color scheme can be beautiful. Try a neutral, restful palette in shades of a single warm color.

A Ton of Texture: Peaceful, restful palettes shouldn’t translate to boring. Change up textures and materials to keep a monochromatic palette interesting.

↑ Textured couch adds dimension