Sunday Refresh
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
Small styling touches that make your space feel new—without big renovations.
There’s a quiet kind of joy in making small, intentional changes at home—especially outdoors, where even the simplest tweak can transform how a space feels. Whether you have a garden, terrace, patio, or balcony, there are plenty of beautiful updates you can do in a single afternoon that make everything feel fresh again.
These ideas don’t involve heavy lifting or construction work. They’re the sort of light, thoughtful touches that anyone can try on a quiet Sunday. You can try using what you already have. Others are worth popping to the shop for. Either way, they’re designed to help you see your space in a new light—and start making the most of it.
1. Swap the Centre
Sometimes the most effective change is the easiest: just move things around. Shift your table or seating area to a different spot—nearer the plants, into the middle of the space, or tucked into a shaded corner. Even if your layout has “always been that way,” rethinking the flow of your furniture can completely change how you use your outdoor space.
2. Turn a Basket into a Planter
Wicker baskets, ceramic bowls, old wooden crates—nearly anything can be a planter with a bit of lining. Line the inside with landscape fabric or plastic with holes for drainage, then fill with potting soil and your favourite herbs or flowering plants. Clustered together in different shapes and sizes, they bring a soft, rustic look without the cost of buying new pots.
3. Restyle in One Colour
Choose a colour you love—sage, burnt terracotta, cobalt blue—and repeat it across three or four different objects: a cushion, a painted pot, a candle, a tea towel or cloth. The power of this trick is in the repetition. Even if the items don’t match exactly, they’ll feel cohesive and intentional once placed together.
4. Frame the Forgotten View
Stand at your back door or on your balcony and look out. What’s the first thing you see? That’s your visual frame—and it’s often neglected. Place something there that draws the eye: a potted tree, a stool with a plant on it, a lantern, or a mirror. By framing the view, everything beyond it suddenly feels curated.
5. Use Decorative Tiles as Table Accents
You don’t need to glue tiles to enjoy that beautiful Spanish ceramic look. Instead, use a few loose tiles like coasters or placemats on your outdoor table or sideboard. Just place two or three flat tiles on a surface, and rest a vase, pot, candle, or drinks tray on top. It’s an easy, removable way to add colour and pattern—and you can change the tiles whenever you like, depending on the season or your style.
6. Style an Outdoor Shelfie
Choose one shelf—maybe a narrow ledge, an old plant stand, or even a window sill—and arrange it like you would an indoor bookshelf. Try one plant, one small lantern or candle, a simple bowl, and something personal like a stone or postcard. Done well, it becomes a small moment of beauty that elevates the whole space.
7. Use Water to Add Calm
You don’t need a fountain to bring water into the garden. Fill a wide ceramic bowl or dish with water and float petals, flowers, or fresh herbs in it. Place it on a table or wall to reflect the sky and add a quiet focal point. It’s a simple, meditative touch that’s often overlooked—and it changes the feel of a space instantly.
The best outdoor projects aren’t always the biggest. Sometimes, they’re the ones that make you sit differently, see your space with new eyes, or enjoy the way the light falls at 5pm. Whether you’re preparing for a full makeover down the line, or just enjoying your Sunday one beautiful detail at a time, these small ideas are a perfect place to begin.
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