The Top 5 Home Improvement Projects of 2016

Dated Lighting

Instead: Look For Sculptural Lighting

Let's start from the top. Sometimes a simple upgrade like new lighting can make such an impact in the room, instantly giving it a more upscale look. Statement lighting in sculptural shapes are on trend and timeless. Think in levels too -- from ceiling to table lamps to create ambience. Too harsh or too dim can make a room feel uninviting and drab too so pay attention to lighting in a room before you completely overhaul it.

Cramped, Cluttered Spaces

Instead: Be Selective With Furniture And Decor

Less is more when it comes to looking elegant, and frankly, not cheap. Remove anything that doesn't feel right in a space (you may find a better spot for it later) and start with the bare minimum. Now start to fill it with furniture and decor that fits the space well and looks like they pair well. Overfilled rooms can make them look cramped and chaotic, and too much decor or mess can create visual clutter, which is not inviting.

Mismatched Styles

Instead: Create A Point Of View

As a home decor enthusiast, I love almost all of it: art deco, modern, vintage, all the trends. Not to say, these trends can't all go together – they totally can! But create a space where they all work together so it feels cohesive. Make sure furniture works well with each other (even ask design advice from retailers). If you add art deco elements to a modern space, keep that thread going throughout the home with similar shapes, materials and textures (without going overboard). Start with an idea, pair down to the necessities, and slowly add what feels right.

Old Paint, Broken Anything

Instead: Keep Up With Repairs

Walls with chipped or peeling paint can make a home look neglected so a fresh coat is always a good idea after three or so years. Fix broken fixtures too like light switches, faucets, or doorknobs to keep your home from looking old and unkempt.

Cheap Materials

Instead: Opt For Natural Materials

Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon can appear low-end so use them sparingly. Of course, there are sometimes budget concerns but opting for a few quality linens, upholstery, or real wood furniture can elevate your home.

Dated Fixtures

Instead: Upgrade faucets, knobs, and handles

My mom was ready to remodel her whole bathroom until I told her that it was fine — she just needed to upgrade her faucet. She did and was so happy with the results. Something as small as a new bathroom faucet, kitchen handles, or new doorknobs can bring your home on trend and help eliminate embarrassing home decor mistakes.

Rental Blinds

Instead: Don't Treat Windows As An Afterthought

While I do love the bare window look, it can sometimes make a room feel unfinished, especially if the windows are not new. As a renter, I couldn't stand the look of cheap rental blinds too. I'd remove them, make my own shades, and reinstall them when I moved out. Using flimsy or outdated blinds can ruin a perfectly beautiful room. It's like the final accessory to complete the look!

Lack of Scale And Proportion

Instead: Create Balance

Area rugs should extend beyond the sofa and not be too small compared to the size of the room. Find furniture that fits the space and hang artwork that balances the room vs. puts it off kilter. This room by L.A. design firm House of Rolison feels harmonious and complete.

Generic Decor

Instead: Add Personal Touches

Using generic, mass-produced decor items can make a home feel impersonal and bland. Create a sense of space and character by incorporating personal touches, such as family photos or unique decor and art pieces.

Overly Themed Rooms

Instead: Scale Back On Thematic Pieces

Overdoing a specific theme, such as nautical or rustic, can feel kitschy and less sophisticated. Instead, use elements of a theme sparingly, like this woodland-themed kids room that features an animal print and little trinkets on a shelf for an adorable touch.

Main Photo by Rachel Claire

Find more home decor inspiration on our Home Decor page and subscribe to our email newsletter for all our home decor tips.

BONDHOLMEN Armchair (was $170, now $102)

Come and stay awhile. We'll be loading up on these comfy and roomy armchairs made from durable eucalyptus in a soft gray color, perfect for lounging with a summer cocktail.

BONDHOLMEN Table (was $429, now $257)

If you've got the room, enjoy al fresco meals at this gray outdoor table (also made in eucalyptus wood), which seats 6 comfortably at about 92 inches long.

RUNNEN Decking (was $40, now $25 per 8.719 sq feet)

Score 20 percent off outdoor flooring, from these wood stained tiles available in acacia, cream and black, to artificial grass. These tiles are easy to install (just click the pieces together) and upgrade your balcony or deck in an instant.

SJÄLLAND Armchair (was $95, now $57)

You can never have too many outdoor chairs. These garden chairs made with aluminum and hardwood stack up nicely and can double up as dining or lounge chairs. They don't come with cushions, so you'll wanna add those yourself!

SOMMARLÅNKE LED Decorative Light (was $5, now $4)

This battery-powered LED light gives off some glow for nighttime hangs, and at this price you can grab a few!

BACKSÄLEN Sofa (was $679, now $499)

Now is a good time to invest in a new sofa, and this comfy one is available in natural, white, and black. We especially love this couch because you can easily remove the cushion covers and keep clean and fresh for years to come.

NÄMMARÖ Chair (was $55, now $44)

NÄMMARÖReclining Chair (was $85, on sale $65)

Great for reading or sunning, this reclining chair brings the comfort of your living room to your balcony, terrace, or garden.

SOMMARLÅNKE LED Decorative Table Lamp (was $11, now $10)

The built-in timer on this Mason-jar-like lamp automatically turns on when the sun sets, spreading a cool reflections across your table.

ENHET High Cabinet ($158, now $131)

MAMMUT Children's Chair (was $18, now $15)

These colorful and easy-to-clean chairs are great for kids rooms, and you can even move them outdoors for summer play.

MAMMUT Children's Table (was $40, on sale $30)

The MAMMUT kids' table is lightweight so you can move it around easily, plus it's durable enough for outdoors (and your wild ones 😉).

VÄLGRUNDAD Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator (20% off starting May 17)

The sale is going on now, but if you want to head over Memorial Day weekend you'll get a coupon for up to $40 off the Swedish Restaurant to save on same-day purchases of $150 or more. (Also, 20 percent off KAFFEREP cinnamon buns, mmm mmm!)

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."