Coming out of the holidays, you may be looking around your home thinking some of your resolutions should be spent on sprucing up your space. The new year is the perfect time to give your home a fresh look. It doesn’t have to involve a complete overhaul. Just a few changes here and there can make a big difference. Here are a few tips to update your home, giving it a fresh look, without breaking the bank.

Declutter Your Space

Start by decluttering your home. This will not only make your space look cleaner but also create a more organized environment. Go through each room and get rid of items that you no longer need or use. While decluttering can have an immediate effect on how your home looks, it also can be daunting when you first get started. Having a checklist will help you stay focused on tackling one room at a time. As you sort through your belongings, categorize items you don’t want into three piles: donate, sell, or recycle.

Add Some Plants

One of the most common resolutions people set each year is to improve their health. In addition to creating a more inviting and peaceful atmosphere, having indoor plants throughout your home has shown to have an array of physical and mental health benefits. Consider adding plants to your living room, bedroom, or kitchen. You can also get creative with planters, such as hanging plants or wall-mounted planters.

Rearrange Your Furniture

Rearrange your furniture to create a new layout. This will give the room a fresh look without having to buy new furniture. Consider moving your sofa to face a different direction or swapping out chairs from other rooms. Especially if your needs have changed, rearranging your furniture can create a better flow and use of space. You may find some items don’t align with your current lifestyle, but you aren’t ready to part with them entirely. Warehouse storage is a great way to keep beloved pieces safe when you don’t have an immediate need for them.

Change Up Your Lighting

Lighting can completely change the mood and ambiance of a room, particularly in the winter months when there’s less natural light throughout the day. Consider upgrading your lighting fixtures, such as changing old bulbs or adding new lamps. You can also experiment with different types of lighting, such as overhead lighting, task lighting, or ambient lighting. If your existing lighting fixtures are older, there’s a good chance updating them will also lower your energy bill when installing a more efficient fixture.

Look for Home Décor Deals on Facebook Marketplace

In the spirit of “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” Facebook Marketplace can be a great way to find new furniture and home décor at a significantly lower price than buying something new. It’s become quite the “virtual flea market” too. According to Facebook, more than 1 billion people across the globe use Marketplace each month. What’s the top category people shop for? Furniture.

Similar to decluttering, it’s good to have a game plan before you start scouring listings on Facebook. Here are a few tips to help you find a good deal for what you genuinely need.

Know What You’re Looking For

When shopping for deals on Facebook Marketplace, be sure to know what you’re looking for before you start your search. There are thousands of listings, and it’s necessary to filter through them to find what meets your specific needs. Knowing your style preferences, color palettes, and dimensions ahead of time can save time and reduce frustration. Complete a list of the essential furniture pieces you need and any additional curation pieces you desire for your home. Doing so will also allow you to set a reasonable budget and distinguish between wants and needs.

Understand Facebook Marketplace Filters

Facebook Marketplace has specific filters that enable you to narrow down your search options to find exactly what you’re looking for. Filters range from price, location, category, condition, to even keywords. The more specific you are with each filter, the better. Setting your radius filter too wide can lead to irrelevant search results. Hence, make sure your search stays within your proximity, saving you both time and gas money. Be sure to bookmark these preferences to avoid repeating searches in the future.

Negotiate, But Do So Politely

While many retail stores won’t negotiate prices, Facebook Marketplace sellers will. If an item’s price seems high or is out of your budget, there’s no harm in politely messaging the seller asking if they’d take a lower offer. Sometimes they’ll say yes or at least tentative agree to the amount if they don’t get their asking price after a certain number of days.

Check Daily

Facebook Marketplace postings are always changing, with plenty of items being added and taken down throughout the day. The best deals often get sold within minutes, so you must browse regularly. Set aside a few minutes a day to scroll, browse, and contact sellers that have what you need on your list. Be sure to keep checking for at least a week as posts may arise weeks and months down the road which are equally as fantastic as the posts initially found.

Refrain From Impulse Buying

Though you want to take advantage of excellent deals, don’t make purchases impulsively. Take the time to assess the condition of the furniture thoroughly, ensuring it meets your standards of quality. If buying an upholstered item, check for damages, stains, odors, and wear and tear. Confirm that the item is the correct size for your space and fulfills your primary purpose, whether it is storage, seating, or decoration. Everyone loves a great deal, but do not buy just to buy.

Be Wary of Scams

Most Facebook Marketplace listing are legitimate, but scams do happen and it’s important to careful in your search and transactions. Do they have a good sales history? Does their Facebook profile look authentic? Don’t pay for an item until you’ve seen it, and if possible, meet in a public place. Facebook has a thorough list of how to spot scammers and what to do if you find one.

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There are many ways to spruce up your home without breaking the bank. By decluttering your space, adding plants, upgrading your lighting, and scoring deals on new furniture and decor, you can create a fresh abode for the new year.

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George Roth Author