Small changes, like updating light fixtures or adding a fresh coat of paint, can have a big impact on your home's appeal. These are seven ways to freshen up your home and some considerations to help your home decor projects succeed:

• Update kitchen cabinets with paint or hardware. Dreaming of a new kitchen? If a full remodel is not in your budget, small cosmetic updates can still enhance your space. Brighten up older cabinets with a fresh coat of paint or gel stain. Change out cabinet hardware with new knobs or modern pulls. While you're working on the cabinets, consider donating kitchen items that you no longer use. You'll free up cabinet space, clear your counters, and make it easier to access your most-needed cooking and baking supplies.


• Rearrange the furniture. Does your current furniture arrangement work for your home? Consider the size and location of your current pieces. For example, large, bulky pieces in smaller spaces can make a room feel crowded. Breaking this arrangement up or moving pieces to different rooms can give your whole home a new look and feel ‒ without the need to buy anything new. Next, think about special home features to highlight. Arranging chairs with pillows and blankets around a fireplace, for example, creates a cozy and inviting setting. Or, perhaps your home has a large window with a beautiful view and natural light. Set up a desk or seating arrangement to take advantage of this inspiring view during the day.
• Green your space. Bring the outside in with new houseplants that help purify your air and brighten up your space with a burst of color, texture, and style. When selecting plants, check their care instructions, including light requirements. You don't want to place a shade-loving plant in direct sunlight, or a plant that thrives in the sun inside a windowless bathroom. Popular houseplant options include the fiddle leaf fig tree, snake plant, kentia palm, and Meyer lemon tree. These plants thrive indoors and are low maintenance, perfect for busy homeowners without a green thumb.
• Frame favorite photos. Bring a smile to your face each day when you look at loved ones and special memories. Add a gallery wall to your hallway or a few framed photos to your desk or dresser. For a consistent look, consider buying frames in a similar color or style in multiple sizes, like 5x7, 8x10, and 11x14.
• Liven up your walls. A darker paint shade, like a deep blue or green, can add drama to your home and is a popular design trend. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is another option for adding a bold color or pattern to your home without making a permanent commitment. Or, go in the opposite direction with a light, airy palette that helps your home feel like a relaxing retreat.

If you have a long wishlist of home updates, start by considering which changes will have the greatest impact. If you plan to stay in your home for many years to come, consider updates that will make your space more functional or increase your enjoyment of a particular room. If you plan to move within the next one to two years, consider how these changes may impact your home's value by helping it "show well" to prospective buyers.

Also, with any new upgrade, its always a good time to brush up on your current homeowner's insurance policy. Your local independent agent can help answer questions about coverage options and whether your coverage needs may have changed over the last year.