D?corating Tips: Turn blah into ooh-and-ahh : Home Trends Magazine

Is your home feeling warm and inviting?or giving you a case of cabin fever? If it?s the latter, don?t you fret. There are many simple and inexpensive updates you can complete to give your home a quick pick-me-up, like these:

Terrific Table and Chairs

The kitchen table is the hub of the home?where we dine as a family, do crafts and work, or play cards and board games. So it?s important to make this everyday staple a welcoming area for you, your family and friends. But is your wood tabletop looking drab or stained? Or is the metal surface chipped? No matter what wear and tear you may have inflicted on your table, you can easily update it with a quick coat of spray paint.

Directions: Remove any seat cushions and thoroughly clean all table and chair surfaces. Once dry, spray paint the surfaces with your favourite colour. Choose a product with a paint and a primer in one, like Krylon Dual Paint + Primer. This formulation allows you to complete the project in one simple step, and in half the time. Once you?ve sprayed all areas and the surfaces are dry, you can re-attach your seat cushions (or create a new look with updated fabric) and enjoy your refreshed kitchen activity center.

Focal Point Finishes

Lighting fixtures can increase the ambiance to any room, but replacing them can cost hundreds of dollars. With a little elbow grease, $20 and less than two hours, you can update your existing ones with a more attractive?and popular?finish.

Directions: Cover your work area with newspaper and disassemble the fixture. Clean the pieces and tape off areas that don?t need to be painted. Following the instructions on the label, apply aerosol Indoor/Outdoor primer followed by the new paint in your favourite color and finish. Once dry, remove the tape and reassemble your impressively updated focal point.

Cover the Smallest Details

Are you sick of staring at dull, dirty or chipped register covers or light switch plates around your home? A simple paint update can give any room an instant pick-me-up.

Directions: Remove register covers or light switch plates and place them on newspaper. Sand the surface lightly and wipe clean. Clean all pieces to remove any built up dust and grime. Following instructions on the label and apply a number of light coats of aerosol primer, followed by a few coats of gloss or metallic spray paint. Reinstall once dry.

With just a few simple home projects, your space can feel fresh and new in no time at all.

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