Print edition: 
Thankfully, upgrading the look of a room doesn't mean you have to completely redecorate. In fact, it's surprisingly easy when you use these six simple tricks.
1. Rearrange your furniture.
Sometimes all your room needs is a little re-imagining.
Some of my friends move their furniture around all the time because it gives the room a fresh look over and again, and they don't have to spend a penny. In contrast, once I have my furniture where I like it, I almost never rearrange it. I have a theory that there is one best arrangement for every room, and once you've achieved it, let it be.
To gain a fresh perspective on your room, take every stick of furniture out and start over. Best yet, have some friends help you, or hire a designer who specializes in reconfiguring spaces.
2. Freshen the paint.
A coat of fresh paint is the least expensive and most dramatic way to redecorate a room. Pop open a can and go to town. Dare to experiment, because what's the worst thing that can happen? You hate it. Easy enough. Just open a different can of paint and cover up the offending color with something new.
When repainting, don't forget your ceilings. When we were repainting Nell Hill's Briarcliff this winter, I painted the front gallery our bright, clean Farm House White. Then, I warmed up the ceiling a bit by painting it our soft taupe color, Winter Wheat.
Or, you could paint the ceiling the same color as your walls. I've done that in a couple of the bathrooms in my home, and I love how it wraps you in a colorful cocoon.
If you dare, be bold and paint your ceiling a strong, contrasting color.
3. Amp up your art.
I often see people pick out beautiful furnishings for a room, then style the space impeccably, yet still feel like something's missing. Almost always, all their space needs is great art. Is your existing art dwarfed by big, open walls? Are pieces faded and outdated? Do you have blank walls with nothing on them? If so, instead of spending your decorating dollars on accessories, start investing in art. Get a mix of large and small pieces, an array of mediums and subject matters.
A note to parents of young children: If you are at the stage where your little ones are exploring their surroundings and tabletop accessories just aren't practical, it's your season to invest in art. Brighten up your walls, and no one will notice those empty side tables.
4. Update your lamps.
Tired-out lamps completely date the look of a room. If your lamps are from an era gone by, let them go and get some new. Or, update them with new lampshades.
One thing we notice when we work with customers at Nell Hill's is that people often don't get lamps that are beefy enough for their room. Too often, we see skinny buffet lamps used on end tables. Instead, pick out a hefty lamp that has a sizable base so it can hold its own in a room filled with large pieces such as sofas and bookcases.
5. Invest in a chest.
If your room feels busy and cluttered, you may need to bring in one larger piece of furniture, such as a tall bookcase or hutch, to ground the space. The same principle applies to smaller rooms. Pick fewer but larger- scaled pieces for the space. That's what I've done in my small guest bedroom. I cleared the room and brought in a large antique armoire, a double bed and a desk that doubled as a nightstand. Success!
6. Rethink area rugs.
Area rugs do a lot to lend character to a room. And, because they can be expensive, it's important to make sure you pick the right ones so you can keep them forever. A common mistake is to pick a rug that is too small. To minimize cost, layer rugs: Place a large, less expensive neutral rug on the bottom, like a sisal, then top it with a smaller, higher-quality rug, turned at an angle so it appears to be larger than it is.
If you're in the market for a new rug, consider one that features a fun geometric pattern — all the rage right now in the design world.
