Unless you’re lucky enough to have moved into the home of your dreams, chances are you will need to modernize your home at one stage or another.

But unless you want to spend some serious cash and months living in a building site major renovations aren’t an option for most people. So what can you do to modernize your home that won’t involve getting the builders in? Here are five ways to modernize your home which don’t involve any major renovations.

Create the illusion of space with mirrors

Rather than knocking walls down to give your home a more open and airy feel, instead trick the eye by incorporating mirrors into your interior design. When placed opposite a window, a mirror will reflect the light source and give the illusion of a more open space, giving you an entirely new looking room without any major changes.

Update your light fittings

Lighting has the ability to make or break a home. A poorly lit room can look small, dark and uninviting, a well lit room can appear larger, brighter and attractive. If you don’t want to have to hire an electrician to put more ceiling light fixtures in then add floor and table lamps to your room in any dark corners. To modernize the appearance of the room update old lampshades and light fixtures with more modern alternatives and watch your room come alive.

Paint and decorate

One of the easiest ways to completely change the face of a room is to get the painters in and redecorate. A simple new coat of paint can make a room look brand new, and a clever feature wall or contrasting design can make an old stuffy space look modern and chic.

You can even paint your kitchen cabinets to give the look of a whole new kitchen without the need for new fittings. Painting is an area you may be tempted to do yourself but by hiring the right help you ensure a quality finish that you will be happy with for years to come.

Update blinds and curtains

Outdated curtains and blinds can instantly make a roof feel old and stuffy. Look into more modern alternatives such as wooden shutters or bamboo shades to ensure your windows are the best dressed on your street. Changing your curtains and fixtures is another way to brighten the room giving an illusion of more space and works well when combined with point number one.

Put down a rug to lift your floor

Elevate your floor without the need for new flooring by putting down a bright new rug. Clever layering of rugs over old hardwood flooring can give texture and using a colorful rug over an old carpet can bring a room back to life without the need for an entirely new carpet to be fitted. With rugs available in all shapes, sizes, textures and colors they’re a great way to change the look and feel for a room without breaking the bank or requiring any real effort.