5 ways to freshen up a room

Chicago Tribune

Before holiday preparations overload already busy lives, it’s a good time to freshen up our homes for our guests and ourselves — and that doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. Some simple switches and a few purchases can work magic. That sofa that now looks dated can be spiffed up with an overload of chic pillows. If your wood floors are looking blah, change things up with a coat of glossy paint. We asked the pros for a few ways to breath some new life into your abode. stairs can make a huge visual difference. If spilling a bucket of color onto your red oak living room floor seems intimidating, start with a smaller space like an entryway to create a bold first impression, but the look works best when the color runs throughout the house. Andrea Magno, director of color marketing and development for Benjamin Moore, went with a Scandinavian color theme in an entryway where the floor, wall and stairs create that feeling of contentment, known as hygge.