If your home is feeling a bit flat, don’t renovate, update! We’ve found 7 easy ways to help you breathe new life into your comfort zone.

You don’t need to embark on a full-blown renovation to give your home an update. All it takes is a bit of imagination to see what can be done to make your home the best it can be. We’ve put together seven tried-and-tested methods to help you get inspired.

1. Freshen up your façade.

If your home’s exterior is looking a bit weary it could be time to freshen up your ‘street appeal’. A great start is a high-pressure wash to remove built-up stains and to brighten dull pavers and concrete. Repair any broken fence palings or cracked pavers. For an instant refresh, give your front gate or fence a lick of paint.

2. Groom your greenery

An overgrown garden can make your property look scruffy, but there’s no need to call in the landscapers if all it needs is a trim. Tidy edges of paths and around your letterbox with a line trimmer, weed your garden beds and cut back any creepers or vines that have become overgrown. Cut back hedges and remove any overhanging branches near the house (this is especially important in summer and during bushfire season). You might be surprised by how much you can get done in just a few hours. Invest in a good pair of gardening gloves, a fresh pair of secateurs and away you go!

3. Colour your world

We’ve said it before, but paint is one of the easiest ways to change up your home and gives maximum ‘bang for your buck’ when it comes to results. Whether it’s a pop of colour on a feature wall or a freshen-up all over your home, nothing brightens up a home like a fresh coat of paint. If you’re a novice with a paint roller, it’s a good idea to get some tips from the experts before you start, to ensure the best final result.

4. Update your décor

Another fast and economical way to update your interior spaces is to change up your textiles and accessories. Choose some new scatter cushions for armchairs and the sofa, add some fresh indoor plants and hang some new wall art. Home design magazines and social platforms like Pinterest are great for inspiration and new trendspotting. Decide on a colour scheme that works with your existing wall colour and fittings, and pepper it throughout your home for a designer look without the interior designer price tag.

5. Give windows the treatment

These can immediately lift a room’s visual appeal. If your brown velvet curtains are grooving a 70s vibe, maybe it’s time. First, consider the room’s function. If it’s a bedroom you might consider blinds or lined curtains for light control, or if it’s a street-facing living room you’ll need to choose a style that affords you privacy. Design website The Spruce has a helpful rundown on the difference between curtains, drapes, shades and blinds and their different functions.  

6. Hit the deck!

If you have the space for it, adding a deck could add a whole new living area to your home as well as significant value. If you’re the handy type, you could make it a DIY project, but if not, it’s definitely best to call in the experts. (You may also need to check with your local council to ensure you meet local building and fire codes.) If you want to take your new outdoor room to the next level, you could even add a ping-pong table, barbeque and drinks fridge for warm weather entertaining.

7. Smart screens.

Investing in security doors and screens offers a multitude of benefits. They let you open up your home to enjoy fresh air without having to leave windows and doors wide open. You’ll especially appreciate them on hot summer nights when you can sleep safely with the window open without fear of opportunistic bugs - or burglars. They give an extra layer of security during the day too, by allowing you to answer the door and see who’s there without fully opening up, and they help you lock up securely when you’re not at home.

As an added bonus, screens may also help you save on your home contents insurance premium. For more home security tips, NRMA Insurance has a helpful rundown on home security you can reference here.

Whether your home update project is super simple, or it leans to the slightly more complicated, if you love your home you want it to be the best it can be. Even by starting with some paint or introducing a new colour palette, you’ll notice the difference it makes to both your home and the way you interact with it. Just start with something small and see where it takes you. You could even find that your home becomes a new hobby.