How to update your home in 2021 without doing a full renovation


We’re spending more time at home than ever. In fact, if you look up the phrase: “climbing up the walls”, we’re pretty sure 2020 will be referenced there somehow.

As you adjust to the new normal of working from home you may find yourself staring at your furniture, or walls, and not feeling moved anymore.

Does your once classic furniture now feel outdated? Back suffering from a small armchair? Are you sick of your art?

Know you’re not alone.

Renovations hit an all-time high in 2020 despite the pandemic, and sales around DIY projects and home office items surged as home-bound workers sought to freshen up their space.

We’re going to let you in on a secret; you don’t need to re-do your entire house to get a new look. To transform your home, you just need to invest in some home staples.

Here are four ideas that will save you time, effort, AND add value.

What’s not to love about that?

Get a proper desk

So, turns out the whole working from home thing has its merits.

Did you know remote workers generally report feeling better, and have increased productivity? If you don’t believe us, please have a read of these stats.

Working from home can have great benefits for your mental health but to truly reap the rewards you need the right tools around you.

To put it bluntly you need a proper desk.

The desk you choose should house all your work items comfortably, be made from quality material, have storage, and work to your available space and furniture.

We have three options on our website that can help you get a feel for the different looks out there.

First up, we have our Marseille Office Desk, which is perfect for homes that favour a French regency look.

Marseille Office Desk

 

Second is our Andrea Office Desk, which is a contemporary style.

Andrea Office Desk

 

And last but not least we have our Austin Study Desk, which is sleek and minimal.

Austin Study Desk

 

As you can see from these three examples, a desk can be a statement piece in its own right.

Invest in an antique

Ok we’re biased because we love furniture but for us nothing beats the thrill of finding an antique coffee table, or sideboard in perfect nick.

Antique table and chairsImage by StockSnap from Pixabay

Not only is antique hunting a fun way to pass a weekend, it will also help you bond with whatever you take home and act as a conversation starter.

It doesn’t matter if you favour mid-century pieces or Victorian; once you find a one-off you’re guaranteed to be happy with it for life.

Embrace the plant trend

Monstera Thai Constellation, Oxalis Triangularis, Albuca Spiralis; no, we promise we haven’t lost our minds – these are the names of three rare, and beautiful house plants. 

While they may be at the more expensive end for plants — indeed cuttings of Thai Constellation often sell for upwards of $1,000 on eBay — these plants add immediate value to your home if displayed correctly.

Plant stands, such as our Antoinette Plant Stand, give nature’s creations the attention they deserve. They’re a worthwhile investment if you’re looking to start collecting plants. 

Indoor plant on stand

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

But houseplants serve a far greater purpose than just adding splashes of green.

A study by NASA found a number of plants can suck up harmful chemicals in your home. This included known carcinogens. A study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology also suggests they improve your mental health at work, with people reporting lower stress and anxiety.

Quick PSA though; if you’re looking to embrace the trend and have pets we do recommend googling non-toxic options for the home first. A number of popular houseplants, such as Aloe Vera, Devil's Ivy and the Rubber Tree Plant are harmful to dogs and cats.

Chesterfield Sofa

The Chesterfield Sofa is a British design-classic that epitomises class. It’s rumoured to have been first commissioned by Lord Philip Stanhope, the fourth Earl of Chesterfield (1964-1773).

Hundreds of years later, it’s one of the most recognisable pieces of furniture in the world. With its rich brown leather, deep buttoning and high back; it’s a staple of comfort.

However in Australian homes with crisp white walls (fun fact: that’s the most common paint colour in the nation), a Chesterfield can look out of touch. Especially on a hot summer day.

That’s why we decided to put our own spin on things.

Stanford Chesterfield Sofa

 

The Stanford Chesterfield Sofa in mauve is a modern take on a design classic and a perfect centrepiece for any living room.

Be warned; once you get one you’re not going to want to leave home.

Cover Image by bedrck from Pixabay

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