How to revamp your living space after the Christmas tree is gone

It's paintbrushes to the ready once the decorations are packed away and the pre-spring cleaning starts

Wed, 03 Jan, 2024 - 06:44

Carol O’Callaghan

Christmas decorations come down next week and it’s guaranteed we’ll see all the flaws in our décor and even a look of emptiness, but with this comes possibilities.

While the nesting instinct kicks in, Patricia McGinnis, co-owner of design boutique Maven, sees it as a time to change up lamps and swap furniture around.

“I don’t see the house as looking bare once I’ve taken down the tree, but rather marvel at how much space I suddenly have again,” she says

“Once the tree is gone, I take the opportunity for a deep clean and then reassess how the room looks.

“If you’re taking the tree to the recycling centre, then why not look at your space critically and see what else can go?”

A new year “feels like an ideal time for a project”, according to Patricia. “That could be as drastic as a new paint colour or as simple as getting some bits of art framed,” she says.

“Take that list of things you’ve been meaning to get to and start working your way through it.”

Once the tree is down, assessing the space is easy for spring projects. Picture: Maven

As it happens to be the season when paint companies tout new hues, getting out the colour cards is something welcomed by Aoife Tobin, interior architect, designer, and a star of Virgin Media’s The Salvage Squad.

“Oh, I love looking at the new colour trends for each year,” she says. “For 2024 bold and earthy tones will still be super popular. We have seen these deep hues quite a bit in 2023 and as they are inspired by nature, they are a bolder hue that is easy on the eye. Especially in Ireland, you just can’t go wrong with rich greens, deep blues, and earthy terracotta.”

Flowers inject colour and bring nature inside. Picture: Maven

For home decorators who steer clear of strong colours, Aoife suggests lightening up the palette. “Think about incorporating soft greens, blues or pastel earth hues are always a favourite of mine,” she says.

“You can do this with accent cushions, blankets, artwork or even small decorative items. Pastel hues are going to be having a moment in 2024, which I am just delighted about. These shades are perfect for spring.

“Laid-back shades like soft greens and blues are perfect for this colour trend. These hues work really well on cabinets and woodwork. I love to add a pastel hue on skirting and architrave to add a subtle but impactful pop to an interior.”

For colour avoiders, Aoife turns out to be a kindred spirit. “If you are more of a neutral lady like myself, start playing with texture. Spring is associated with lightness and airiness. Consider changing out heavy winter fabrics for lighter ones, so where you may have had a lovely wool throw to snuggle during Christmas, this could be swapped with a nice soft linen throw.”

For anyone unsure about committing to a bold colour on the walls, Aoife suggests using accent pieces. “A vibrant piece of furniture, colourful artwork, or even some fun accent cushions can make a big impact without the long-term commitment of painting an entire room,” she says.

“It’s all about finding the balance that suits your style and comfort.”

Helle Moya, founder and creative director of Nordic Elements Interior Design Studio and Design Gallery, sees January as an opportunity to add new elements to old favourites. “Candles are always a favourite of mine,” she says. “I have a variety going at any time of the year and dial it up during the darker months. I also pop some hyacinth bulbs in clear glass vases and containers, roots and all. I love seeing them unfold and scent the room.”

Aoife Tobin's kitchen design uses pastel with gold accents for a spring-like feel to keep the space airy and light all year round.

Offering a styling tip for using spring flowers, Helle adds: “We have some lovely bulb vases and I would have a cluster or row on the dining table. I love tulips and have these somewhere in the house as soon as they appear in the shop.”

Soft earthy tones in this living room scheme by Aoife Tobin introduce colour subtly without dominating the space.

Given how we often see spring as a time to update our accessories to bring in new texture, shape and colour with ease and not too much time commitment, Helle adds: “I would suggest mixing the textures to create a layered feel using velvet, wool or linen and also different shapes such as square, rectangular, rounds. It’s an easy and not too expensive way to change the overall look and feel of a space.”