Freshen up your interiors in 2016

T he New Year is here, which means an “out with the old and in with the new” attitude has set in as people declare their New Year’s resolutions and get amped up for what the coming year has to offer. Does your home’s décor match your newfound enthusiasm? It could be time to freshen up your interiors as the holiday season quickly fades into the distance and the New Year shines bright.

Whether you’re looking for a subtle transformation or a daring new look, check out these eight DIY projects to help you start fresh in 2016.

1. Make the most of your laundry space.

The laundry room was once considered a necessity, but now people who want to use space more efficiently are turning to laundry nooks or multipurpose rooms. There are several crafty solutions to making the most of your laundry space, which could be in a hallway, at the back entryway, in a closet or incorporated into an office or family room.

• Your multipurpose space needs to be livable and kept looking tidy. You do not want your dirty laundry overrunning the room or invading your entertainment time. Built-in cabinetry will aid in a comfortable and functional space.
• Stackable units work well when space is at a minimum in such places as bathrooms or closets.
• Creative cover-ups like curtains can conceal dirty laundry or the units themselves.
• Countertops and open shelving add function to your space. An inexpensive plywood countertop is perfect for dirty clothes and laundry baskets.
• Consider installing windows to make a small laundry space feel larger and more open.

2. Utilize chalkboard paint.

Chalkboard paint is an inexpensive way to add a touch of personalization to any room. From sophisticated to fun in these trendy DIY projects, chalkboard paint has so much versatility. You can paint a whole wall of your kitchen or create a variety of accents that work double duty as décor and organization systems.
• The kitchen area has numerous uses for chalkboard paint, which creates a clean surface that can be decorated as much as or as little as you desire. Refrigerators can be fun and classy, while cabinets, drawers and islands have endless possibilities.
• Create fun in the kids’ rooms through chalkboard tables or a more sophisticated organization system for your teenager.
• Go bold with a wall chalkboard calendar the whole family can enjoy.
• Chalkboard paint can give your home office a touch of sophistication and organization.

3. Organize the bathroom.

Start your year off right with a new, easily accessible organization system in your bathroom.
• Start by simply adding a laundry hamper to the bathroom so that there are no excuses for towels and dirty clothes to be scattered across the floor.
• Consider getting a freestanding open-shelf cabinet if you lack storage space. You can then spice it up with decorative baskets and curtains to conceal any unattractive items.
• Compartmentalize your drawer space. Specify spaces for brushes, curling irons, hair dryers, etc.
• The bathroom attracts a lot of small items that take up space such as medicines, lotions and band aids. If you have a bathroom closet, utilize an over-the-door shoe organizer. It will keep all those hard to manage items organized.
• Frequently used items can be organized on the counter in glass jars. They look nice and are always within reach.

4. Stripe your floor.

For such spaces as patios, outdoor dining areas and laundry rooms, the floor can be a great place to experiment with bold colors and patterns. Try painting stripes on the floor for a visually stimulating design that can create a rug-like appearance that is inviting and comfortable yet is easy to clean.
• Try white, black and greys for outdoor dining rooms or enclosed patios.
• Consider using bold stripes for a visual kick against the white laundry units and cabinets.

5. Create storage with Mason jars.

Try Mason jar storage to easily organize your various hard-to-manage spaces such as the kitchen, laundry room or crafts room. Mounting the Mason jars to the bottom of cabinets or shelves keeps them out of the way and easily accessible.

6. Give your chair a makeover.

Take four tips from a pro. Andrea Mihalik is a re-upholsterer extraordinaire from Philadelphia and the owner of Wild Chairy. Here are tips for the DIY-er from Mihalik herself:
• Seek guidance. Find projects that are similar to yours in a book or search online for how-to videos.
• Photograph your chair as you take it apart so that you can recall how to put it back together.

• Save the original fabric that was on the piece to use as a pattern for your new material.
• For an earth-friendly option, try using horsehair instead of foam.

7. Use pillow covers.

If tackling an entire chair is not your style, try sewing simple or extravagant covers for decorative pillows that will add a touch of personalization, pattern and color to any room.

8. Add counter space to your kitchen.

A lot of your counter space is probably taken up by appliances and cooking necessities, leaving little room for actual food preparation, much less meal presentation. Try these easy ways to expand your counter space and add extra storage for dishes, silverware, linens or wine.
• Kitchen islands can be found in an array of configurations and sizes and have options for portability. Try a temporary display that can be wheeled in when guests are in town or opt for a more permanent solution that offers multiple tiers for both food preparation and eating. They can also offer extra cabinet space or drawers for convenient storage.
• Add a server or server/hutch combination next to the kitchen. They offer a convenient place to keep bottles close at hand or to serve snacks and desserts. It can also serve as a place to store dishes and silverware.
• Breads, fruits and vegetables can take up a lot of counter space. Try using a separate decorative object, such as a rolling basket, to hold your food that gets kept out in the light of your kitchen. HLM