5 Easy Ways to Update Your Home Before Guests Arrive

So you have guests arriving soon and you want to make your house look fresh and updated. Cleaning and decluttering are the absolute best ways to accomplish this at no cost at all. And there are more quick and simple ways you can give your home a fresh look without breaking the bank. You don’t need to do any remodeling or spend thousands of dollars to make an impact.

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5 Easy Updates to Make Your Home Look Its Best

As I stated above, decluttering and cleaning your home is the best no-cost way to make your home sparkle. And I’ve got many more low- and no-cost ideas here: How to Decorate on a Budget. Today I’m sharing some ideas for quick ways to give a room or two a fresh look. Let’s dig in.

Fresh Paint – Big Impact, Small Investment

If you’re short on time and cash, a fresh coat of paint is the way to go. It gives you maximum effect with minimal investment. And if you can do it yourself, you’ll save even more by not having the labor expense. See my tutorial here: How to Paint a Room (For Beginners) – A complete guide to a professional finish.

Consider repainting these areas for a quick new look:

• Front door – this is the easiest update ever. You can put a fresh new look on your front door with a quart of paint. Take it a step further by updating your hardware, adding new numbers, a knocker, a brass kickplate, getting a new doormat, and adding a wreath. Use paint specifically designed for outdoor use for the best results. See my favorite front door colors here => Best Front Door Colors + Tips For Choosing One
• Guest Bathroom – since bathrooms are small, you can usually do the job with one gallon of paint. Finish off the space with a new shower curtain, rug, towels, and a scented diffuser and you’ll feel like you’re in a brand new space.
• Entry – most entryways are small and don’t have much wall space. So it’s typically another area that’s fairly easy to repaint. Add a new rug, mirror, and fresh decor to take it to the next level. I gave our entry an update for less than $100 a few years ago and you can see it here = > Budget Friendly Entry Makeover

Need paint color inspiration? Explore my curated color palettes on my new site, or read my paint color reviews.

New Throw Pillows & Blankets – No Tools Needed!

Confession – I have a bit of a throw pillow and blanket addiction. But they’re so darn affordable and easy to change on a whim! My preference is changing the covers instead of buying filled pillows whenever possible. It’s much easier to store them and they’re usually less expensive.

Throw blankets are also super easy to change and are available in a wide range of styles and prices. We have lightweight cotton throw blankets for warmer months and heavier ones including faux fur for colder months. Our extra throw blankets are stored on a blanket ladder and in baskets, trunks, and cabinets when not in use (I’m addicted, remember 😄).

My Favorite Places to Shop

I’ve purchased pillows and throw blanket from here and can recommend them:

• Walmart – dozens of throw pillows for less than $20. See my curated collection of favorites here: Affordable Designer Throw Pillows
• TJ Maxx – You can find designer throw blankets made of fleece, wool, and more for discounted prices. (They’re always popular for gifts too.) Throw pillows are available in velvet, hooked, faux fur and more in many colors and style.
• Pottery Barn – Wide variety of seasonal and non-seasonal throw pillows and throw blankets. Their faux fur blankets are incredible. Sales usually run on the weekends or around holidays.

New Area Rug – Instant Coziness

Adding or updating an area rug can make a huge difference. It’s a nice way to add texture, color, and pattern to a space. Area rugs add instant coziness and also help quiet a space since they absorb sound. They come in so many sizes, styles, and price ranges.

If you like to decorate for the different seasons, look for a smaller area rug for your kitchen, bath, or entry that will be easy to store in the off season.

Where to Buy

My favorite sources for area rugs:

• TJ Maxx – I’ve bought several area rugs from them. They have designer brands at discounted prices and usually offer free shipping.
• Ruggable – Amazing selection of washable rugs in many sizes. I adore the William Morris collection and the Kindred Cottage collection.

Refreshed Bedding – Overnight Guests Will Thank You

Updating your bedding can be as simple as changing a quilt or you can go all-in and get new sheets, shams, and throw pillows. I like to change thing seasonally and that’s why I use white quilts on our beds. I love adding holiday sheets, throw pillows, and throw blankets for a bit of a festive touch.

Where to Buy

My go-to sources for affordable bedding and bedroom decor:

• TJ Maxx – They have a good selection of name brand sheets, comforters, quilts, pillows, and more at great prices.
• Walmart – A surprisingly nice selection of bedding starting at below $40 for a set. See my favorites in my Walmart storefront here: Cozy Bedroom Decor
• The Vermont Country Store – Beautiful quilts, comforters, bedspreads, pillows, and more. Classic New England designs that stand the test of time.
• Pottery Barn – Great quality and timeless designs. I’ve ordered several sets of sheets, duvet covers, Euro shams, and more and they hold up for years.
• Levtex Home – Wide variety of gorgeous seasonal bedding as well as everyday styles.
• The Company Store – Nice quality bedding, towels, and more with basics and seasonal styles. Our oldest daughter has bedding from here and loves it.

Window Coverings

Don’t forget about your windows! There’s nothing like curtains to give a room a finished look. Even basic white curtains add coziness to a space.

Best Places to Shop

• You can find budget-friendly ready made curtains from Lowe’s, Walmart, Amazon, and similar stores for basic looks.
• The Vermont Country Store and Pottery Barn have classic ready made styles in decorator fabrics.
• Or for a more semi-custom option shop at Two Pages, Pepper Home, and Half-Price Drapes.

What are your favorite ways for quick updates to a room? Leave me a comment below and let me know!

More Ideas

If you’re looking for more ways to update your home, browse through my Home Decorating archives. And read How to Decorate on a Budget for lots of no-cost and budget-friendly ideas.