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With a little imagination and movement, you can completely transform your area in fifteen minutes, making it seem polished, expressive and distinctively yours. It only takes a little time and a keen eye
You could dramatically improve the character and style of your interiors by simply rearranging and adding a few meaningful elements, no major renovations are required
When a room begins to feel uninspired, a complete redesign is not necessarily the best solution. Sometimes, all you need is just fifteen minutes to re-energise your space. You could dramatically improve the character and style of your interiors by simply rearranging and adding a few meaningful elements, no major renovations are required. Sonali Ashar, Creative Director & Principal Designer, Sonali Ashar Interior Design, shared how to make a quick, attractive transition that has maximum effect with minimal work.
Rearrange: View the Old with New Eyes
Switch Up the Accents
Decorative elements frequently become invisible after being in the same location for an extended period of time. Try shifting your favourite sculpture, vase or photo frame to a different area, such as from a shelf to a sideboard or from your desk to a console. A shift in perspective can make something familiar feel surprisingly fresh.
Tweak the Furniture Layout
Even modest changes in furniture arrangement can help revitalise your room. Angle a lounge chair toward a window to capture the light, shift a rug slightly to reframe the layout or move a coffee table to open up some space in the room. These micro-modifications assist to reset the energy in the room.
Play with Wall Art
Wall art doesn’t have to remain static. Rotate frames between rooms, rest a framed poster against a side table and stack smaller artworks on top of bigger ones to create a curated, gallery-style look. A rearrangement allows the eye to wander and wonder.
2. Refresh: Contrast, Texture and Character
Mix Up Textiles
Give your cushions, throws and soft furnishings a breath of fresh air by rotating them between rooms. A velvety mohair blanket or colourful lumbar cushion can drastically change the vibe of a corner. Think braided textures, adorned knits or quilted weaves… Anything that adds variety and movement.
Restyle the Surfaces
Your trays, bowls and ornamental objects are more versatile than you might realise. Transfer a silver tray from the kitchen to the coffee table, or bring a statement bowl from the doorway into the living room. It’s all about contrast: shiny against matte, rough versus smooth.
Add Seasonal Touches
Subtle changes, such as changing aromas, displaying a fresh flower arrangement or switching ceramics for brighter or darker tones depending on the mood, create a sense of changing seasons. These sensory clues can completely alter the environment.
3. Introduce: Thoughtful Touches That Speak Volumes
Bring Nature Indoors
A simple floral accent, be it rajnigandha, carnations or even a single stem, instantly gives the room some vitality. Large handmade planters or earthy vases are ideal for anchoring a space and creating a lived-in, but deliberate feel.
Let Books Do the Talking
Nothing adds character like a carefully selected stack of books. Choose novels with visually appealing spines or colour palettes, or simply rotate them by theme or season. Add old, vintage bookends for extra charm. Books provide depth, warmth and intrigue to every space.
Lighten the Mood
Lighting is your secret weapon. To add layers to your environment, use a portable lamp, candles or fairy lights that let out a soft, subtle glow. Lighting also allows you to set the tone in a moment, which could be anything from tranquility to drama.
True elegance comes not from quantity, but from intention. With a little imagination and movement, you can completely transform your area in fifteen minutes, making it seem polished, expressive and distinctively yours. It only takes a little time and a keen eye.
