Transforming your living space doesn’t always require a costly and time-consuming renovation. Sometimes, all it takes is a few thoughtful design hacks to breathe new life into your home. If you’re looking for ways to refresh your interiors, then you’re in for a treat. On the popular segment “Out with the Old, In with the New: Home Edition” of the Jennifer Hudson Show, the talented art director Martin Vallejo shared his top design tips to make any space look brand new.

Whether you’re dealing with a cluttered child’s room, a cramped living space, or just want to add some personality to your home, Martin’s tips are versatile enough to fit any scenario. Here’s a closer look at six stunning design hacks from the expert himself.

1. Learn to Let Go: Decluttering for a Fresh Start

One of the most significant challenges in home design is dealing with clutter. Over time, our homes become filled with items that, while once useful or cherished, are no longer needed. This accumulation can stifle the potential of any space, making it feel cramped and disorganized.

Martin Vallejo emphasizes the importance of learning to let go. It’s about more than just tidying up; it’s about making conscious decisions on what truly matters to you and your family. If an item hasn’t been used in months, or even years, it might be time to part ways.

• Donation as a Solution: Martin suggests donating gently used items such as toys, furniture, and clothes to local thrift stores, charitable organizations like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, or even children’s hospitals. These donations not only help you declutter but also support your community.
• Eliminating Broken Items: For items that are beyond repair or have served their purpose, Martin recommends simply throwing them out. Holding onto broken or unusable items only adds to the clutter and confusion in a room.

By letting go of unnecessary items, you create a blank canvas, allowing the essential pieces in your room to stand out and shine.

2. Use Storage Containers: Organize with Style

Once you’ve decluttered, the next step is to organize what remains. Effective storage solutions can be a game-changer in maintaining a tidy and visually appealing space.

Martin Vallejo advises ditching the original packaging of items and investing in your own storage containers. This simple change not only helps in saving space but also allows you to incorporate elements of design into your storage solutions.

• Choosing the Right Containers: Select containers that complement the room’s color scheme and style. Whether you prefer sleek, modern designs or something more rustic, the right containers can serve as both functional and decorative pieces.
• Saving Space: Custom storage solutions can often be more space-efficient than the original packaging, helping you make the most of every inch of your room.

By choosing the right containers, you can turn storage into an art form, adding to the overall aesthetic of the room while keeping it organized.

3. Categorize Your Items: Create an Organized System

Having storage containers is a great start, but without a system, it’s easy for things to get mixed up. Martin Vallejo emphasizes the importance of categorizing your items. This method not only keeps things organized but also makes finding what you need quick and easy.

• By Type: Organize items by type — for example, soft toys in one container, shoes in another, and so on. This system ensures that everything has its place, and you’ll always know where to look when you need something.
• By Usage: Another approach is to categorize by usage. For instance, keep all seasonal items together, like winter clothes or holiday decorations. This way, you can easily rotate items in and out of storage based on the time of year.

Categorization adds a layer of order to your space, making it more functional and easier to maintain in the long run.

4. Match Artwork with Furniture: Achieve Visual Harmony

Artwork can be a powerful tool in home design, adding color, texture, and personality to any room. However, to maximize its impact, it’s essential to ensure that your artwork complements the other elements in the room.

Martin Vallejo recommends matching the most prominent color in your artwork with your furniture. This simple tip can create a sense of unity and harmony within the room, tying different elements together to create a cohesive look.

• Cost-Effective Art Solutions: You don’t have to break the bank to display beautiful artwork. Martin suggests printing images you like from the internet and framing them. This budget-friendly approach allows you to regularly update your artwork without significant cost.
• Creating a Mood: By matching the colors in your artwork to your furniture, you start to set a mood for the room. Whether you’re going for a calming, serene environment or a bold, vibrant space, coordinating your colors can help you achieve your desired atmosphere.

This approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your room but also allows your personality to shine through in your design choices.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Go Bold: Add Character to Your Space

Minimalism has been a dominant trend in home design for years, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re someone who loves color, texture, and a bit of glam, Martin Vallejo’s advice is music to your ears: don’t be afraid to go bold.

• Embrace Bold Choices: Martin is an advocate for adding character to a room. Whether it’s through vibrant colors, rich textures, or eye-catching patterns, bold choices can make a room feel lively and unique.
• Balancing Boldness: While going bold is encouraged, it’s also important to strike a balance. Martin suggests starting with one or two bold elements and building from there. This way, you can gradually create a space that feels dynamic without being overwhelming.
• Personal Expression: Your home is a reflection of who you are, so don’t shy away from making it your own. Whether it’s a statement wall, a colorful rug, or an eclectic mix of decor, these bold choices can make your space feel truly personalized.

By embracing boldness, you can create a home that’s full of character, warmth, and personality.

6. Hang Mirrors to Make a Small Room Feel Bigger: Create the Illusion of Space

Small rooms can often feel cramped and limiting, but there’s a simple trick to make them feel more spacious: mirrors. Martin Vallejo shares this classic design hack, which can instantly transform the look and feel of a room.

• Reflecting Light: Mirrors reflect light, which can make any space feel larger and brighter. By strategically placing mirrors opposite windows or light fixtures, you can maximize the natural and artificial light in the room.
• Creating the Illusion of Depth: In addition to reflecting light, mirrors can also create the illusion of depth. A large mirror can make a room feel more open, as it gives the impression that the space continues beyond the wall.
• Window-Like Mirrors: If your room lacks windows, Martin suggests choosing a large mirror with panes designed to resemble a window. This design choice not only adds visual interest but also tricks the brain into perceiving the room as larger and more open than it actually is.

This simple yet effective hack is a great way to enhance the sense of space in smaller rooms, making them feel more comfortable and inviting.

Bringing It All Together: The Power of Small Changes

The beauty of Martin Vallejo’s design hacks lies in their simplicity. These tips don’t require a major investment of time or money, yet they have the potential to dramatically transform any space in your home.

Whether you’re tackling a cluttered child’s bedroom, looking to add some personality to your living room, or trying to make a small space feel larger, these hacks offer practical solutions that anyone can implement. By learning to let go of unnecessary items, organizing what remains, and making thoughtful design choices, you can create a home that’s both functional and beautiful.

So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by the state of your home, remember that a few small changes can make a big difference. Take a page from Martin Vallejo’s book, and start transforming your space today. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve with a little creativity and a lot of heart.

Bonus Tip: The Power of Lighting

As a final piece of advice, Martin Vallejo emphasizes the importance of lighting in home design. Proper lighting can enhance all the other design elements in a room, making colors more vibrant, spaces more inviting, and details more noticeable.

• Layered Lighting: Martin suggests using a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a layered effect. This approach allows you to highlight specific areas of the room while ensuring the overall space is well-lit.
• Dimmer Switches: Installing dimmer switches is another great way to control the mood of a room. By adjusting the light levels, you can create a cozy atmosphere for relaxing or a bright, energizing space for working.
• Accent Lighting: Finally, don’t forget about accent lighting. Whether it’s a statement chandelier, a pair of stylish table lamps, or under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, these fixtures can add both function and flair to your home.

With these lighting tips in your arsenal, you can elevate your home’s design to the next level, ensuring that every room is both beautiful and functional.

In conclusion, the expert advice from Martin Vallejo on the Jennifer Hudson Show provides a treasure trove of ideas for anyone looking to enhance their living space. From decluttering and organizing to embracing bold design choices and using mirrors to create the illusion of space, these tips are accessible to everyone. So why wait? Start implementing these design hacks today, and watch your home transform before your eyes.