5 design tricks to revamp your Home

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to go to design school to revamp your home. 

"It's all about simplicity," says Susan Yoder, interior design expert for Clayton Homes.

"A little goes a long way when it comes to home decor and living spaces." 

Only a few simple changes can make a big difference and allow you to create a room you'll be happy to show off to friends and family.

To breathe new life into your space, Yoder recommends these tips:

1.  POPS OF COLOR  

     "Nothing livens up a room like a bright pop of color." 

If you have neutral-toned furniture, add lamps, curtains and accessories in bold hues.   If you're up for a painting challenge, an accent wall is a great way to incorporate color into a     space.  Choose your favorite color from a throw pillow or wall art piece in the room to pull the look together. 

2.  VARYING TEXTURES  A room tends to get boring when it focuses on only one texture, so its important to create a sense of balance.  Try varying the fabric types on your sofa and curtains.  Add in some metal or wooden accents to draw the eye around the room.  You can even play with lighting to reflect off certain objects and create visual interest.

3. ANTIQUE FEATURE  Choose an antique or unique piece of decor to be the inspiration for the room.  This could be a rug, lamp, chair or even a chandelier - anything that gets you energized and motivated.  Get creative and run with the theme it creates.  Or if your style is more modern, an antique object will stand out among your contemporary decor.  

4. SYMMETRICAL YET FUNCTIONAL  The furniture collection in a room should form a restful, symmetrical layout.  It's all about balance.  There should be between 3 and 10 feet between each seat.  Additionally, instead of pushing each piece up against the wall to create more space, give your furniture a bit of breathing room a few inches from the wall.               This makes the room appear open and airy.  

5.  CLUTTER FREE ORGANIZATION  Getting rid of clutter is a grand challenge for most homeowners.  When you decide to take on the mess, drawers  and cabinets are your best friends.  Take some time to go through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, or throw away.  Store any leftover items that can cause clutter in an organized out of sight area.