Emma Radebaugh
Do you have a room that feels unbearably drab? There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s a perfectly functional room. It just doesn’t excite you in any way. The walls all have the same paint color, the furniture pieces are indistinguishable from each other, and there isn’t a fun trinket or piece of art in sight. It’s a barren wasteland of a room that you wish would be a vibrant, bustling metropolis of one.
If you’re wondering how to give a boring room character, don’t worry—we’ve got your back. Here are some foolproof ways to turn a room that makes you go, “Meh,” into one that makes you say, “Wow!”
Walls That Stand Out
A neutral beige wall is a lot like a blank canvas. It appeals to everyone because it matches with everything, allowing you to decorate a room to your heart’s content without having to worry about anything clashing. But it’s also a completely uninspiring color. Everyone has beige walls.
Want to give your walls some character? Pick out a bold and flashy color—think neon green or hot pink—and use a creative paint technique to give it depth and personality. Alternatively, you can apply wallpaper.
Fashionable Furniture
Lots of first-time homeowners purchase their furniture on a budget. But let’s be honest. Even though IKEA furniture is nice, inexpensive, and a breeze to assemble, most of it looks identical. The pieces all have sleek, modern designs and incorporate similar shades and patterns.
The reason your room looks boring might be because your furniture is so alike you can barely tell the difference between the living room couch and the dining table. Therefore, the next way to give a boring room character is to pick out new and fashionable furniture. You don’t have to replace everything, but swapping out a few pieces here and there can make a world of difference. Instead of sourcing these new pieces of furniture from popular furniture stores, head to a flea market or art fair to pick up something handcrafted and truly one-of-a-kind.
To Save or Splurge?
Is it better to spend more and get higher-quality furniture, décor, and other home goods? Or is it better to save money and get something that’s a teensy bit flimsier and less unique? These are questions that everyone asks themselves at one point.
The mistake that many people make with their homes is saving instead of splurging. Often, they do this not once or twice, but every single time they buy something new. A measly budget means meager choices, and most inexpensive items look the same as they cost—cheap and plain.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on everything you put in your home. But increasing your budget opens up countless options ever so slightly. And the more choices you have, the more power you have to select something that stands out from everything else in your home. Choose a material or pattern that you haven’t used before or furniture in styles different from, but complementary to, everything else in the room.
