Simple changes which made a difference

[Funatish]

We have been in our house for 14 years and it all looks horribly dated and old. It is getting painted in the new year throughout and I've been decluttering and removing as much as I can. It's all very woody so planning to go for very pale, neutral colours on walls and adding texture with cushions, rugs etc.

Has anyone made any small changes to decor which made a big difference?

Yes, have a plan. Work out what you want to keep, and need to store in each room, and then decide what you will store it in. So you'll know whether you need to buy more storage, or get rid of or replace existing. Be firm with yourself when decluttering, there's no point planning storage for stuff you don't really need. New curtains and cushions do wonders once you've painted.
Do you like the layout of your rooms, is there any tweaking you can do? Sofa, or TV in a different place? Be brave with things you can easily replace, it's a great way to try bolder colours or patterns.

Getting rid of the carpets transformed the house but that’s not really a small change.

Another key thing was working out the purpose of each room and then organising for that purpose. That really calmed the house and made decluttering decisions much easier too.

Thanks!! Will start room by room and getting storage sorted should make a massive difference and make it all a bit more manageable.

I really can't wait to get it painted. The floors are either wooden or tiled and all the woodwork (stairs, internal doors, skirting boards, those bits around the doors) are oak. Current paint colours in hall and kitchen are basically magnolia. The kitchen is north facing and dark so I don't know if it would be best to go bright white for walls, or if that would be too harsh. The kitchen is oak (again) with dark granite worktops. The hall is much brighter but could definitely take white walls. All the oak and cream magnolia seems so dated now but I'm really hoping painting will freshen it up

You need color!

What color are your sofas?

Kitchen- do t use bright white, IMO it will look cold. If you dare, choose a colour for at least some walls. Failing that, a warm white with bold accessories.
To me white can look great if you put it with fresh bright colours, but in an otherwise neutral space it can look dull and unwelcoming.

Thanks! Will rethink the white plans and have a look at warmer shades. Definitely no magnolia though, have had my fill of it!

Pale greens can look fresh against oak, blues can be cold.

I started putting bright white into a North facing kitchen, it looked blue! Ended up with a grey-beige Dulux mix job, but I'm bored with it already. Timeless is a creamy white that works in a North room, we've got it in the living room. We've still got magnolia in the hall and landing, I'm desperate to get rid of it.

I've recently discovered that taking pictures down really clears the space and stops it feeling cluttered and small. (As a result I'm itching to de-Christmas!)
I also found a style I like and suits my house and researched it in every way - online, Pinterest, tv programmes, and I'm prepared to wait to find the right looking items I need to create that look

Wherever we've lived, we've tended to have neutral coloured walls and floors (wooden floors usually) and brightened things up with the furnishings, accessories etc.

Even new cushion covers and throw for the sofa have made a massive difference when we want a change.

Can you move furniture about in any of the rooms? It can reinvigorate the space sometimes

It's interesting though, I redecorated our downstairs loo. It's TINY. No windows. Before it was "light and space" paint. But changing the decor, and reorganising the practicalities of sepaeate looroll holder, towel rail, shelf mirror etc onto single unit and reducing clutter has made it feel much bigger. And yet cosier and more stylish.

And yet it's far darker in paint colour (kinda RAF blue now not super pale) and has loads of pictures on the wall too in black frames. It gets SO many compliments from visitors.

Don't be afraid of colour. It's paint. Worst scenario you paint over the top. I've spent years doing everything pale before realising actually strong colours can look amazing in small or north facing spaces.

Also look at lighting. Even if you can't do too much with overhead lighting, adding lamps can give a completely different feel.

I painted one wall in my lounge a deep dark blue (dulux sapphire salute). I love it and with white furniture against it I think it looks fab. But I do love colour

If you could post some photos it would help but my first advice would be to paint everything in dulux timeless and get as much storage as you can .
Picking one theme so furniture matches is helpful - so in my house I have oak bed frames, dining table, coffee tables etc. It means that furniture can be used in other rooms without looking out of place.
Doesn’t need to be expensive. I have a young child so buy accessories from IKEA, dunelm, supermarkets - so I am not upset when it gets damaged and it isn’t too expensive to update.
Read interior magazines - a readly app free trial would be good.
The cheaper interior magazines
Your home, home style oaks style at home are all on there and give suggestions of supermarket purchases.

I’m assuming you are asking about small changes because of budget constraints? Changing the light fittings and new curtains would be a great way to modernise and affordable. If your sofa is dated - then throws