1) Don't overlook scent in creating the ideal space. Candles - even flameless ones - have wonderful scents that calm or energize your mood, and therefore your space. Air sprays are a great way to freshen the atmosphere and even create a just-baked- cookie scent. Potpourri is an easy and long-lasting way to fragrance a room. There are many off-the-shelf devices that add scent...be sure they are safe for you and your family (pets included).
2) Light creates ambiance. In spaces where the mood is waning due to dark corners or lack of accent on focal points, add rope lighting, table lights and even picture lights for an inexpensive solution. When budget is less of an issue, install a great pendant light in dark corner, add recessed lights to highlight walls and art, and place LED lighting into shelf bays, cabinets, and inset into moldings for great atmosphere. Dress up your existing chandeliers and wall sconces; re-paint or restore the metal to a new finish. Adding dimmers where you have regular switches is a fast and easy option...not to mention that you will save energy!
3) Add architectural elements. From crown molding, to wainscot, to simple 'frames' on a wall. Moldings add fantastic detail very quickly. Your local hardware, big box retailer, and lumberyard will often cut the lengths and even mitered corners for you, making installation easy. Medium density fiberboard moldings (MDF) are often $0.50 to under $1.00 per liner foot making them affordable; use finish nails to install so purchasing a nail gun is not necessary.
4) Mirrors bring in the light. A mirrored wall may not be the right style for you, but a wonderfully framed mirror that reflects a great view, a lighted window, or even a great arrangement of furniture will have a good deal of impact.
5) Hide it, pare it down, store it well. Clutter is the bane of our existence. Paperwork, magazines, toys, and other "stuff" tend to accumulate on surfaces. If you create areas where daily pocket items, school paraphernalia, work items and the like can be easily stashed, your space will feel open, clean and leave you with a more peaceful feeling. Tuck individual wicker baskets under benches, dressers, chests, etc... for children's items, shoes, winter hats and gloves and even shopping bags. Have more space and time? Create custom (or semi-custom from store bought) storage units. Take an old dresser or chest and turn it into a custom storage center! On dressers and desks, have decorative boxes to hide change, keys, cell phone chargers and the like. Stair baskets keep items off the floor and easy to tote to the right rooms. Decorative paper boxes make a great statement when stacked in a bedroom or office. Under-bed storage makes access to items easy. The old stand-by of plastic bins under the hanging clothes in a closet may take up less space; be sure to add labels. If you are sorting to store, and realize you don't like or haven't used an item for a long time....donate, sell or discard (recycle please) so the item will have a new "home". Local agencies often pick up donated items at no cost to you.
Check back tomorrow for five more creative ideas to change your spaces.