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Leanne and Steve Ford host HGTV’s “Restored by the Fords” and “Home Again with the Fords.”
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They shared tips on how to get your home to look like it’s had an HGTV makeover.
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Leanne said painting your walls white and changing your lighting can transform your space.
Redesigning and redecorating your house can seem like a daunting task, especially when you compare it to the massive home overhauls you see on HGTV.
Brother-and-sister team Leanne and Steve Ford are known for HGTV’s “Restored by the Fords” and, more recently, “Home Again with the Fords,” which began airing earlier this year. Leanne also took part in HGTV’s competition show “Rock the Block.”
Insider spoke with the duo in 2019 to find out how homeowners can get the HGTV results without too much effort or money. They said you can take your house to the next level by making small, incremental changes.
The cheapest and fastest way to completely redesign your house is by painting.
Leanne said a complete overhaul of your house can be a daunting task. However, if you paint your walls, it will feel like a completely new space.
“Do not underestimate the power of painting,” Leanne told Insider in 2019. “Painting a room can take a weekend, and it can change everything. It freshens things up and it makes you excited and happy.”
If you do decide to paint, you should stick with white.
While some designers think colorful paint can transform a room, Leanne said white can do the trick just as easily.
“I think white paint is fail-proof [and] timeless,” she said. “It makes everything look better and cleaner.”
Another simple way to take your home to the next level is to change the lighting.
“Even if you have a rental, you can always change the lighting,” she said. “You can change it back when you leave. Lighting can really change the space and make a room feel more uniquely your own.”
Adding natural elements to your home can help you feel more relaxed.
Leanne said people should try adding more natural elements into their homes, including woods and wood textures. She also said greenery is an important addition to any space.
You should include vintage items in your home.
According to Leanne, vintage items from thrift stores or other retailers can bring character to a space. She said it also “brings some soul into the home.”
“These simple, easy fixes make a big difference,” Leanne said. “Don’t underestimate them.”
Simply adding a new rug can also easily transform a space.
Some people live in rentals with wall-to-wall carpets they don’t love. Leanne said you can just throw a rug right over it and completely change a room.
“Rugs can really ground a space,” Leanne said. “Instant gratification.”
Quick tip: Insider’s reviews team has compiled the best places to buy area rugs. Rugs USA has the best rugs overall.
Textured Jute Area Rug (small)
While redesigning your space, keep minimalism in mind.
Leanne said she would describe her design style as “easy minimalism” or “warm minimalism.” In other words, she believes less is more when it comes to decorating your house. While bringing in new elements can be overwhelming, she suggested you stick with a minimalistic mentality.
Leanne said you should stop following home trends.
Every year, designers claim to know the next big home design trend that will sweep the nation, but Leanne doesn’t subscribe to this ideology.
“I try to stay away from trend conversations because trends are so fluid,” she said. “They come and go so fast. You need to ignore trends.”
Likewise, remember to design for yourself, not for anyone else.
Sometimes people design their homes based on what’s trendy. Others design based on what their mother, sister, or neighbor have recommended. Instead, Leanne said to forget what everyone else says and decorate your home the way you like.
“You have to understand that design is subjective,” Leanne said. “It’s an art form. Not everybody is going to like the same thing, and that’s OK.”
She went on to say, “At the end of the day, if you don’t love it, do not put it in your house. Nobody lives in your house but you.”
Steve recommends you start small when redesigning your home.
Steve said that designing your whole home all at once can get costly. If you design one room at a time, you can spend as much as you want and then save up money to do another room.
“You don’t have to do a whole scope of work,” Steve said in 2019. “You can do one piece at a time.”
You should evolve your ideas as a project goes on.
Leanne said her designs and plans are constantly changing as they go through a project.
“When you rip a wall out and you see something beautiful behind it, it evolves the design,” she told Insider. “Now, [you’re like,] ‘Let’s do this instead.'”
Leanne did admit, however, that her brother doesn’t love when she changes her design plans mid-project, but she thinks it’s worth it.
“When you’re rolling with the punches, that’s when the best stuff happens,” she said.
In the end, you must be ready to take some risks.
When redesigning your house, Steve said you have to be ready to think outside the box.
“It’s OK to take risks and chances,” Steve said. “Be fluid and open to change.”
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story was published on October 28, 2019.
Read the original article on Insider
