Decorating Tips for Empty Nesters

One way to make becoming an empty nester more enjoyable is to decorate your home so that it symbolizes your new way of living. Here are my decorating tips for empty nesters.

With kids all grown up and living their own lives, empty nesters now have time to focus on things that matter. This is the time to create a home that reflects where you are in life right now with some new styles!

Home decorating is a great way to show off your style — without the clutter that comes with teeny-tiny furniture and toys.

The first task for empty nesters should be to evaluate whether your home has become outdated or overstuffed. Look at every room and make some decisions about what needs to go — no matter how hard it may seem at the beginning.

One tip: Apply the “three, two, one” rule. If you haven’t used something in the last three months, if it’s broken and can’t be fixed or if there are only one of something remaining, toss or donate it.

Empty nesters don’t have to go completely minimalist. It depends on what their style is like.

• Do they love bright colors?
• The softer side of neutrals?

You may be surprised at how much space around you expands when you declutter your home. With that extra breathing room comes more decorating opportunities — such as adding pieces that reflect your personal style rather than ones that match sets already in the house.

Many empty nesters downsize while others trade up; either way, you’ll need some basic tips for figuring out how to redecorate.

Here are my top decorating tips for emtpy nesters. These tips will help empty nesters get decorating again — and loving it every step of the way.

• Refresh with paint, which is easy to do. You don’t have to repaint every room in your house to give it an updated look. Just paint the spaces that need it most. If you already have a fresh coat of paint on the walls, then add color with rugs or accessories — such as lamps and vases filled with flowers — in a strong tone that complements what you’re already using in the room.

• Add texture. It’s often overlooked, but fabric is a key ingredient in any room’s decorating scheme – especially when it comes to small spaces. Choose fabrics that are primarily light-colored so they don’t get lost, adding layers of pattern and texture. Throw away the plastic. Drapes and blankets look great in 100 percent cotton or another natural fiber like linen.

• Make a statement with accessories. If you have a small room, it’s important to create the illusion of more space — especially if you live in an older home that feels crowded or too modern. Keep furniture scaled down and bring in some lamps that add height to the room visually as well as provide lighting, so everything doesn’t feel dwarfed by wall-to-wall carpeting or wood flooring. Create focal points by mixing textures, but ensure they coordinate such as pairing wooden tables with wicker chairs.

• Use natural light. Older homes may have single-pane windows, which don’t let in a lot of sunlight. So make sure to highlight the windows by using sheer drapes or open blinds and shades so that you get plenty of illumination during the day. If you’re looking for more privacy, hang sheers on the back side of the window as well as floor to ceiling in front — creating an extra layer improves insulation and keeps out drafts while allowing light to shine through.

• Don’t be afraid to mix styles. This is not the time for sameness; instead it’s a great opportunity to try something different when it comes to furniture – even if your room has traditional style elements like crown moldings or a fireplace. Mixing fabrics and textures to create more lively looks that add richness and layers of visual interest.

• Mix modern with classic looks. Is your home filled with traditional pieces? It doesn’t mean they should look like one big mashed up mess — instead mix them with contemporary furniture too to give your home a fresh new flavor without being trendy. If you have room for large art in multiple rooms, consider buying either framed black-and-white photographs (dated) or prints of abstract artwork (modern).

With so many options available, including newer fabrics, paint colors and tile patterns which accent your home’s architecture, creating a stylish space on a shoestring budget is not difficult.

Try using less expensive products in strategic places around the house that you can easily replace when they become dated or you’re ready for a change.

What do you think?

Are you able to implement a couple of these ideas to freshen up you space a little? I’d love to know which is the ONE you would do first!