For many, it will soon be the big day: July 1st , moving day. It will be an opportunity for them to start fresh, to review their decor from A to Z. Lucky them! But what if we changed the decor... without moving or breaking the bank?
The tradition of moving on July 1 in Quebec dates back to 1974. Formerly set (for obscure reasons) for May 1 , this date was pushed back by two months by the Bourassa government to avoid parents having to change their children's schools shortly before the end of school. That's the story.
Once again this year, many will be moving into a new home on Canada Day. We wish them good weather, not too much humidity, and good pizza.
Some – like me – will envy them for embarking on what is, let’s face it, the ultimate decorating project. A fresh start!
But for those who want to change their decor without moving – and without breaking the bank – what decorating interventions could we recommend? I'll take the plunge and suggest five "touch-ups" that will have a big impact. (Those who are moving can also take notes!)
1 – Organization and storage: the starting point
My first tip for changing your decor: declutter it. It's crazy how much stuff accumulates on the kitchen counter, on the dining table, on the desk, on the armchair in the bedroom... (And if you have a young child, I feel for you!) The idea is not to turn you into Marie Kondo or Martha Stewart, although... The good news is that there are several possible solutions. You can of course store a few items in the basement (if you have a basement), you can get rid of the superfluous (we all have more than we think) or you can opt for closed storage (maybe second-hand, I'll come back to that later). All that being said, there's no getting around it: you have to get into the habit of tidying up. The more organized your drawers, cupboards and other storage furniture are, the less painful the task will be. And when something new comes into the house, something else should come out. At the very least, before making a purchase, we should ask ourselves the question: where am I going to put this thing? Last point: do you have too much furniture, or is there some that takes up too much space? Because yes – strangely enough – decorating also means making space. And you will see, this decluttering is good for the soul.
Walnut storage unit, $328 at Simons | Photo credit: Simons
2 – Painting: the simplest and most effective way
Second tip for changing your decor: repaint it. The task is actually quite simple and inexpensive. Would you like to put white everywhere? Read my article Tips for a successful all-white decor , which covers the subject – which white to choose, glossy or matte, etc. Are you more of a color person? Check out the 2023 trends to find out which colors are in vogue. And it's not just the walls of the house that can be repainted. You can also give a second life to an old piece of furniture, whether with a neutral color or, why not, a vitamin color to create a star element. Let's say it once and for all: painting is the easiest way to radically change a decor. And even if you're not moving, you can take advantage of the specials in the coming weeks, the prices will never be lower.
Photo credit: Annie Sloan
3 – Lighting: underestimated “wow”
Among the things that betray a “lack of love” in decoration over time, light fixtures often top the list. And yet! If there is one element that can create a “wow” effect, it’s the light fixture. Particularly a pendant light, which is displayed at the end of its rod or wire like a work of art. And there are spectacular choices in this area, no matter what style you like. You will find them in specialty stores, in traditional decoration stores and – they have more and more beautiful ones – in supermarkets. My recommendation: take the time to shop for your light fixtures. In the age of the web, it’s very easy. And don’t forget that some ceiling lights and track lighting can also betray a decor from another era…
Delilah Pendant, $218 (on sale for $109 at time of publication) at Zone | Photo credit: Zone
4 – Drawer and cabinet handles: like beautiful jewels
Another element that often betrays a decor from a bygone era: drawer and cabinet handles. Yes, these simple little handles say a lot. Just as a beautiful piece of jewelry enhances almost any outfit, beautiful handles will enhance almost any kitchen (or almost: certain cabinet colors will forever freeze a kitchen in the 70s or 80s, and you will need to follow my tip number 2). In addition, changing the location of the handles may be necessary – think of the handles installed diagonally in the 80s, which would benefit from being straightened. A little wood filler in the old holes, a few coats of paint (after good preparation) and presto! your new well-placed handles will have drastically improved the look of your cabinets. You can pre-shop online, but a visit to the store is still recommended to visually validate the size, shape and finish of the handles.
Cadillac Handles, starting at $10.70 at Lee Valley | Photo credit: Lee Valley
5 – Second-hand furniture: character in the living room and dining room
To change your decor without moving or breaking the bank, focus on changes in the rooms where you spend the most time. Aside from the kitchen—which we just talked about—the living room and dining room should be the ones that deserve your attention. You've already 1) decluttered these rooms; 2) applied a new coat of paint; 3) replaced the old light fixtures… but something's still wrong? It's probably the furniture. If you say the words "Roxton," "hutch" or "melamine" to describe your living room and dining room, you've probably identified the beginning of the problem. The second piece of good news in this article: you can fix it at low cost—or even free of charge—with second-hand furniture. Unless it comes from my relatives, I'm rather reluctant to adopt used upholstered furniture (sofas and armchairs) into my environment. But for the rest (chairs, tables, dressers, side tables, etc.), I'm all in . You can find treasures at your parents' house and on Kijiji (treasures that may need to be repainted, tip number 2), and more and more local artisans and merchants have made it their mission to recycle old furniture (just google "second-hand furniture" to find some). It's very trendy. In addition to saving an antique from ending up in the dump, you'll give your decor character. And who knows, maybe you'll find a beautiful closed storage unit that will solve another of your problems...
Atelier 111 Déco, on Beaubien Street in Montreal, which sells restored and repurposed furniture | Photo credit: Atelier 111 Déco
Opening photo credit: Annie Sloan
Julie Deslauriers is an actress, stylist, interior design columnist and eco-friendly mom. You've probably seen her on Chambres en Ville or other shows? Alongside her acting career, Julie has developed another passion: interior design.
We are happy about our brand new editorial collaboration and her valuable advice. You can follow her on her Instagram feed @lejuliebazar .
Stay tuned for more decorating tips from Julie!
