When it's time for a change in your home and life, you can do so simply by adding new style to your existing furniture, accessories and windows. Here's how.

Reupholster furniture in solid colors
Choose a monochromatic scheme in your favorite colors. This will lay the groundwork for beautiful accessories, throw pillows, interesting lighting and patterned carpets.

New window treatments
If your old windows are surrounded by draperies, let the sunshine in. I love simple curtains hung from iron or wooden rods. They’re functional, elegant and simple. Roman shades are a good substitute for the old balloon shade and look wonderful covered in all types of fabrics.

Add new accessories
Throw pillows, lighting, books and artwork all contribute to the warmth, interest and comfort of any room. Group like-colored objects together, accentuating their style and creating a new point of view. If you have a hidden collection of much loved objects, find a way to showcase it. Some of your pictures may need to be reframed and rehung to highlight and ground your new furniture and floor plan.

Freshen up your bedroom and bath
Love your bedroom furniture but are tired of the wood finishes? Paint it. This is a relatively easy way to modernize and redefine the room. There are dozens of patterns and colors in the bed and bath department, in all price ranges, that will mix well with your “new” furniture. You can even have shades made for your windows in complementary solids.

[main image: Judith Cohen Design]