Small visual interior home changes with a big impact
I’ve been making tiny little changes behind the blog scene for years now and I never write a blog post about it but those changes do make a big difference when it comes to making your home look up to date. You might not be able to see it in blog photos but I can see it on a daily basis and people who come to our house notice them as well.
Two weeks ago I shared with you that I wanted to update the air vent when I removed the dresser in our hallway.
I loved the small little change so much that I thought I’d write a post about it.
Look at the photo below:
That dark one is so distracting and in person it was so much more dirty and outdated than what you can see in the photo. The new one I bought (click HERE) is unfinished maple. It matches our maple laminate floor so well but you could stain it to match you own color too. It’s perfect. Isn’t it such a small change with big visual impact? you can’t deny it, can you?
similar wall hanging HERE, HERE or HERE and my tutorial HERE
Small visual interior home changes with a big impact
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And that’s when I thought I also needed to mention the yucky old electrical switches we still have.
Yup that’s still in my house:
And this one too: Cracked and partially updated. I’m mortified!
But I have done some light switch updates and the change is so worth it. They make such a big difference. I used the plain flat switched you can find at the standard home improvement stores.
And in our daughter’s room we used these brushed brass beauties (click HERE):
You can clearly call them wall jewelry. It’ doesn’t get much better.
And another thing I always do every year is run around with a magic eraser to clean all the molding and doors and walls and if I can’t get it cleaned then I paint a fresh coat of paint. The clean feeling makes everything feel so updated.
So please don’t forget about those little updates. The standard home decor accessories aren’t always the most important things. Those little updates above can make such a bog difference. Trust me.
Oh and the blue is back in the living room by the way and I love it. The pink was nice but I’m glad the blue is back:
rug HERE | similar lumbar pillow HERE | black lampshades HERE | similar lamps HERE and HERE | similar table HERE | similar light rug HERE | disco ball HERE | black pineapple candle HERE | sofa HERE | throw pillows HERE and HERE and my pillow tutorial HERE | similar pouf HERE | similar mirror HERE and similar star burst HERE | similar coffee table HERE
pink pillow HERE
I found these little small jewelry boxes at Pottery barn and the gem stone, gold and silver mix is so perfect for my table. Unfortunately they aren’t for sale anymore.
I’m having some issues with our oldest (now 22 year old cat) Heidi. She’s only sometimes going in the box and if she does her butt hangs out and it goes all over the place. She’s peed on the BeniO which I now rolled up yesterday. And I’m considering putting her in diapers to make it easier on all of us. Hey we humans do that too when we are old. And I’m determined to make it work because I love her. She doesn’t have a tail which should make it a little easier.
Do you make small updates throughout your home too or are those things you’d rather forget about and push to the back?
I still have to change the switches I showed you above but the majority is changed already. Some of them are tricky when they are three ways or I want to put a dimmer in. Which has sometimes required for me to hire an electrician but that’s ok too.
Tschüß.
Those little details make a HUGE difference! We actually just learned how to switch out an electrical outlet over here – woohoo! We haven’t tackled any switches yet, but Bryan wants a dimmer in his office, so I think that will be next!
Electrical outlets are still tricky I think. I’ve done it wrong many times and had to have an electrician fix it.
I’m constantly tweeking Julia and today I think I will paint a old lamp shade gold on the inside and black on the outside…wish me luck ha!
Oh awesome!
The devil is in the details! Amazing what a difference those little changes make, but you’re right – makes everything look clean and updated. Love it!
Yes it does 😉
Oh I have a ton of small jobs like this in our new home. They are so time consuming and it seems like no one notices but me. Anyway, I need to stay at it.
Totally time consuming which is why I’m not completely done with them yet either
Beautiful changes Julia. I love the brass light switch colors and your blue and b&w combo is so chic. Great tips! Oh and that wall hanging in the foyer…. gorgeous.
Thanks Kathy
Love, love all your posts and my girlfriend puts diapers on her 14yr old poodle. They work and they look so cute!!
Oh thanks Kathy! I hope the diapers will work for her too
Yes, totally agree, and Magic eraser is my ‘best friend’ when it comes to cleaning all over the house! I upgraded some of my light switch plates by wrapping them up in coordinating wallpaper or gift-wrap! Always a fun and easy project to do, but I agree, those brass ones are oh-so-chic!
Magic Erasers for the win!
It always amazes me how a small change can make a big impact. I’ve changed all our light switches and air vents in our home a couple of years ago and I love it. They make such a difference.
I still need to change a couple more. I’m dragging my feet 😉
Love the small changes you made that have such big impact! Your suggestion about the magic eraser and molding is great! I’m going to try that this weekend!
this post didn’t show up the other day in bloglovin so catching up! it was there this morning. do i make small updates? weeeelllll…. should i? YES!
Yes, the small updates make a bigger impact that we realize. Love the new vent!
Yes they do