How to

Eight decorating projects to quickly update your home

14 January 2025· Lick

Whether you’re moving into a new place, welcoming family, or hosting a gathering with friends, read on for our top decorating projects for transforming your home.

Accent wall refresh

Bring new life to your room with an accent wall refresh. Opt for a bolder or darker paint colour, or add a print with wallpaper on one wall to instantly transform your room, creating an eye-catching focal point and a backdrop for your dining table, sofa, bed, or holiday decorations.

Dining room in Lick MAC Black 40

Upcycle furniture

Give new life to older or pre-loved items by transforming furniture with an upcycling project. Repaint* or add decorative accents in colours that flow with your interior design scheme. P.S. Don’t forget new hardware for those all-important finishing touches.

Read our guide on upcycling furniture here.

*Prep may be needed before repainting. Generally, we recommend lightly sanding and adding a coat of water-based primer if your furniture is previously painted, a coated MDF, or varnished.

@houseninedesign @oursurreynest cabinet in Green 02

Revamp your kitchen cabinets

Refresh the heart of any home, the kitchen, by painting your cabinets for a budget-friendly alternative to a complete refit. Pick your new paint colour and add fresh hardware to make the space ready for festive cooking and entertaining.

Read our FAQ guide on decorating your kitchen cabinets here.

@design_bygeorgie kitchen in Beige 04 and Pink 01

Guest bedroom revamp

Hosting soon? Create a cosy and welcoming space with relaxing wall colours, soft textiles, plump cushions, layered lighting, and fresh towels.

@itsnotsogrimupnorth bedroom in Pink 03

Add decorative panelling

Are you looking for a bigger change to your space? Adding decorative moulding or panelling to your rooms is a great way to add character and visual interest to a room. With so many styles available, there’s something to suit everyone.

Paint in a contrasting colour for a more traditional look or colour-drench it with your walls for a more contemporary feel.

@coorie_renovations living room in Pink 01

Update your mantelpiece

Now’s the time to makeover your fireplace for that Instagram-worthy festive mantelpiece. Whether you're freshening up your existing paintwork or going for something bolder - trust us, yellow or red looks great - your fireplace will create a cosy setting for winter evenings.

@thehouseofwaffle living room in Green 02

Freshen up your WC

These small spaces are the perfect spots for a last-minute glow-up to wow your visitors. Our top tips, don’t be afraid to drench them in colour and be bolder than in other rooms. As you spend less time in these spaces they’re the perfect opportunity to inject a more playful design that you might not want in other rooms.

Paint, add a gallery wall, opt for a bolder print, or add a half-wall of panelling.

@elizabethstanhope bathroom in Green 04

Front door makeover

Start at the entrance with a front door makeover. This will set the tone for your home and holiday decor and add personality, perfect for when your guests arrive. Freshen up your door with a beautiful new paint colour and then finish it off with seasonal decorations like a welcoming wreath in complementary colours.

@six_by_the_sea doorway in Purple 03 and Taupe 03

There you have it, eight decorating project ideas to update your home in time for the New Year.

If you are hosting a festive meal and want to make a statement with your dinner table setting, take a look at 6 festive tablescape ideas.