Is it time to take down the holiday decorations already? Seems like we just put them up!

When the glitz and greenery come down, it’s a great chance to give your home a mini-makeover. A new look can be achieved with just a few hours and a small or even non-existent budget.

Here are a few quick tips to give your living room a new look for the new year:

1. Slipcovers

Don't kick this treasure to the curb ... slipcover it!

If you’re tired of the same old furniture but broke from some generous holiday giving, slipcovers can be your best friend! A simple microsuede in a warm neutral works well when staging to sell; it’s also a nice refresh for the everyday. Take your sofa from frightening floral to slick suede in no time flat, and for a much smaller investment than reupholstering. Plus your new neutral background is the perfect canvas for …

2. Pillows!

Pillows, pillows, and more pillows

Whether or not you opt for a slipcover, decorative pillows will change the look of a room with ease. Pillows can bring in a new colour scheme or add some fun texture. Big impact for small dollars.

3. Edit & Accessorize

A minimalist look is calming. You can add a pop of colour for excitement.

Are your shelves and mantle heaped with photographs, trinkets from travels, and candlesticks? Make a fresh start by clearing everything away, then adding in a few select items to tell a story. Select items that share texture, colour, or shape. Think about grouping similar items and adding in contrast. Display just a few photos and rotate them every season or two for a regular change-up. You’ll pay more attention when there are only a few.

While the cluttered look can be confusing to the eye – the austere look can be chilling to the soul! A bare coffee table is unwelcoming. To keep things tidy, group items on a tray. A stack of books, a live or faux plant, a beautiful decorative object or two …  your room will come alive. When it comes to accessorizing, larger items typically have more impact, but you can also choose to highlight a special, smaller object on a table where it will be seen up close.

Rather than hit the shops, try ‘shopping your home’ for accessories. It’s surprising what you might turn up in kitchen cupboards, basements, and closets.

Have fun with your mini-makeover and enjoy your new look for the new year!

Jessica Hagel is the owner and principal stager of Fresh Moves Home Staging, where we offer one-day makeovers for selling or dwelling.