Don’t have $10,000 for a remodel? Refresh your room on a budget

November’s rain, chill and early darkness bring people indoors, and with that often comes a realization: My home could use a “refresh.”

That doesn’t have to mean the five-figure budgets that a kitchen remodel can surge to or the nearly $10,000 a bathroom remodel can add up to, according to a recent Angie’s List post.

Area rugs, decorative pillows and other accessories can all give a room a new look and provide a welcome change — on a budget.

That’s the challenge that Shelly Henderson gave to Kelly DuByne, owner of Distinctive Interior Designs, in Lake Stevens.

The project came about after a water leak triggered the installation of new flooring. Henderson then decided to add some new furniture and paint.

“I said OK, now I need all new accessories and color,” she said. “That’s where I became overwhelmed. I like a lot of different styles, but I didn’t know quite how to do that.”

Henderson told DuByne she wanted to add some personality to the living room. On a visit, DuByne found two “nice blue couches” — building blocks around which she could give the room a new look.

DuByne did some online shopping and then went back to Henderson with ideas to which she could say “yes” or “no” — decorative pillows with a chevron design, picture frames, a small sculpture, vases and artwork for the walls.

A patterned area rug with a mix of orange, blue and green complemented the couches.

A five-piece candle set and a gold-rimmed mirror was added to the mantel. A ladder bookcase with shelves that lean against a wall provided space for photo albums, pictures and some books. Red-and-white curtains were added to the adjoining dining area.

“She had the basics,” DuByne said. “We just brought in items that felt interesting and comfortable, and added color and texture.”

Many of the items were bought on the online shopping site Wayfair, but DuByne said also also shops at Houzz, HomeGoods, Marshalls and TJ MAxx.

“Those are great places for accessories,” DuByne said. “They’re always getting in new things. A lot of items are one-of-a-kind.”

She said she thinks that buying a good quality couch is key to making living rooms both comfortable and inviting. “Try not to skimp on that,” she said. “That’s a place you’ll use a lot.”

Living room/dining room projects like those at the Hendersons can be completed for about $3,000, DuByne said, and her fee was about $1,500.

DuByne said she enjoys decorating projects like those at the Hendersons because they’re different than remodeling projects “and they’re fun.” She worked off and on at the Henderson’s home last summer.

DuByne gave the family some time to settle in with the changes, and then checked back in October. “The room has to make sense and feel comfortable,” she said.

Henderson said the changes make their living space feel more like a home. “It feels warmer and more updated. I like the splash of colors we put in.”

The space feels more open, she said. “It was a nice, welcome change without having to redo the entire house.”

Henderson said she’s still looking for more things to add. “Every time I go to Target or TJMaxx, I’m looking at something saying, ‘Oh, how would that work?’ It’s kind of opened my eyes.”

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.