Adding soft sheer shades can be part of a fast facelift for a room

If company is coming, and a fast facelift is needed in a room where they'll be gathering, design professionals have some easy tips to bring about a new look.

"Slipcovers are the best and easiest way to make furniture look new," Chicago designer Steven Ellis told Better Homes and Gardens magazine. "Consider reversible ones - a wintry color on one side and summery white linen on the other."

Other designers suggested bringing a pop of color to a room by adding brightly colored pillows or seat cushions, or by painting one wall in a bold hue that complements the rest of the décor. Bringing in furniture from another room also shapes a new look without spending money on new furnishings.


Going from a traditional window treatment to a contemporary one such as soft sheer shades can change the décor as well as the amount of light that's brought into the space. While these shades allow filtered light to enter a room, they also maintain visibility of outside views.

"Ask yourself what simple items could add interest," Boston designer Abbey Koplovitz told the magazine. "A change may be as easy as rearranging furniture or putting an oversize potted plant in a corner."