There are a number of things we can all do with home decor to quickly update a room, even without first painting!

Over the years we've tried a number of techniques to update home decor without having to completely replace furniture and accessories.

The following are my top recommended easy home decor steps to update any room. These also make great home decor, personalized gift ideas and personalized home decor.

The colors will add instant splash and make the space look lived in.

If you add a plant, please take the wrapper off and place the plant in a basket or planter with a bottom so the plant doesn't leak on furniture.

(If flowers leak on your furniture, use Howard Furniture Refinishing products to get rid of the stains.)

Although I often see flowers in bundles, one red rose or a single daffodil either purchased, or out of the garden, can look very cheery in the right size vase. (In photo, blooming Amaryllis bulb.)

The key is to put the flower, or flowers and plants, in an area proportional to their size.

For extended blooms and as personalized gifts, plan on making bulb gardens (photo) as great gifts, especially in winter.

Don't worry if it's an old quilt with tears in it, the tears add character.

A bright throw or quilt will make any surface an instant focal point and bring texture and interest to a room.

Nothing - well, strange about thinking in threes. Group collectibles in odd numbers do look their best.

Don't scatter antiques and collectibles around the room. Group them together in odd numbered sets, just like plants in a flower bed. Pare them down and display only the best and favorites. Less means the eye can focus on particular items instead of being drawn in a dozen different directions.

Also don't overlook unusual pieces. There is a reason why you have them so display them so you can enjoy them.

An unusual piece can easily become the inspiration for the rest of room colors.

Find a spot in the room for favorite books. Even a small book stack will add interest and suggest, maybe even invite, the thought that life isn't so demanding you can't take a few minutes to relax and read.

Stack a couple of favorites or start your own small collection.

There's a good reason they're called throw pillows!

Go through your house, pick up all your decorative pillows and place them in one area.

Look at sizes, textures, finishes and color. You'll start to see complimentary patterns.

Turn the pillows around and look at how they look on the back. (That's a quick way to instantly make a change without getting new handmade pillows!) Then walk through rooms and re-think what handmade pillows you have where. Use handmade throw pillows to add color to an unusual area. Place handmade quilted pillows in a comfortable corner on the floor near the fireplace. Put handmade throw pillows in baskets, or on the bottom rung of a book case.

Handmade throw pillows easily add punch through contrast. Or add one handmade throw pillow with great memories such as handmade throw pillows that have been personalized. (Make great personalized gifts and housewarming gifts as well.).

Rugs define an area. Handmade rugs can also instantly change the texture of a space.

Highlight a wood floor with smaller rugs. Or a less than desirable carpet can be minimized by adding a larger rug.

If you already have an area rug in the room, take it out. If you don't, add one. Again go through the house and see what you have in other rooms. Adding a rug or taking one away is another quick home decor idea that gives any room a quick face lift.

Rethink for a minute what's on your walls.

Start by taking anything off the wall that doesn't mean anything to you.

Find things that do, such as family pictures, children's art, old movie poster that reminds you of when you first met or other good memories.

And don't restrict yourself to only prints or original art work. Your handiwork makes lovely wall art such as embroidered samplers or paintings.

Group them the same way you would collectibles, in odd numbers, or hang them alone (photo).

Another easy splash of color can come from crib and baby quilts lap quilts and throws as quilted wallhangings. They also add extra insulation and can cover unsightly wall blemishes when you don't have time to fix them.

Theme throws such as Here Kitty Kitty throws (photo) can also quickly update a room for Christmas or any other special occasion.

Framing or grouping favorite antiques and collectibles such as hats also make a great unique home decor.

When was the last time you checked your wood furniture for loose arms or legs, and treated the wood?

If you're not sure, determine first what kind of wood it is.

You can also easily make basic furniture repairs. The easiest thing you can do to revitalize your furniture is to rehydrate wood furniture a couple of times a year. I use Howard Feed 'n Wax to easily restore the vibrancy of original wood color, cover scratches, and bring a soft sheen back to my wood furniture.

Please incorporate pets when re-thinking your overall home decor. Quilts, lap quilts and throws make great furniture covers and offer opportunities to curl up together.

Old quilts and towels also make wonderful pet bed liners and basket liners.

Baskets make great versatile accents and can provide areas under windows where pets can nap in sunshine (photo) and store cat toys. Shop re-sale shops, Goodwill and Salvation Army to find a nice variety of inexpensive baskets.

Don't forget to plan sitting areas where both of you can easily spend time together.

I'm always sharing my latest "nesting" bouts with friends and family. I find I tend to change things around with the seasons, especially winter to spring and fall into winter.

I've also found its sometimes good to "live" with the new arrangement for a few days before deciding if I like. That's the best time to test traffic patterns and make sure the furniture layout is safe and practical.

After I've made changes, I do take a cue from the cat and ask, is it nap time yet??

We all like to have comfortable, easy to maintain homes.

If you have a problem or a question give Charlotte a call at 877-598-1908 or email at info@bluebirdgardens.com for free advice, suggestions and no obligation information.

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Just wanted you to know we are having a wonderful time getting to know Bluebird Gardens!" -- Steve and Katrina in WI