Sometimes a single product can transform your home

With today’s economic challenges, Israelis are finding affordable ways to refresh their homes. Ahead of the shopping season, here are a few design ideas and items to bring a sense of renewal.

By WALLA! HOME, DESIGN

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 23:28

You don’t need to tear down the house to change it (photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK) — You don’t need to tear down the house to change it

(photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

In 2024, Israeli households faced tough financial challenges. Even before the events of October 7, there was a significant slowdown in the renovation market. Rising costs led to a 15% drop in renovation projects in mid-2023, a trend that has continued this year along with a notable shortage of skilled labor.

Despite this, Israelis still seek to renew their spaces. Some will undertake major renovations, while others settle for cosmetic fixes. Yet, you don’t need a renovation to refresh your home; sometimes, a single product or minor change in layout can make a big difference.

Fireplace

With winter here, it’s the perfect excuse to add a touch of romance to your life. This electric fireplace is easy to install—just plug it in, and it even comes with a remote. Beyond providing warmth on chilly days and nights, a fireplace brings family and friends together, creating a cozy, modern version of a “campfire.” The design can be customized to match any style.

Cost: From NIS 2,500. Available at Ortal Heat, Hod Hasharon.

A Small Living Room Furniture Piece

NATURE DESIGN brand, imported by OKNIN (credit: PR)

Sometimes, one unique piece is all you need to transform a space. It doesn’t have to be large or dominant—just interesting enough to draw the eye. The NATURE DESIGN brand, imported by OKNIN, offers both small and large furniture pieces. Small items like coffee tables, mirrors, or armchairs can elevate a room and add to the brand's natural aesthetic. Mirrors are particularly effective, as they expand the space and add a design element.

Cost: Starting at NIS 2,000. Available at OKNIN, Netanya.

KARE’s animal-themed side tables make a statement by blending functionality with striking artistic design. The international home decor brand is known for its creative, innovative pieces, with side tables featuring animal motifs like elephants, rhinos, ducks, sea lions, penguins, and dogs. Each table resembles a specific animal with fine details and an artistic twist. Made from high-quality materials like metal, wood, and glass, these tables are durable and aesthetically pleasing.

KARE’s showroom displays hundreds of eclectic items and collections to suit any decor style with the brand's signature playful touch.

Cost: Starting at NIS 1,159, depending on the model.

Drawer Organizer

IKEA is famous for bringing innovative, original products that make organizing a breeze with minimal effort and expense. One such product is the UPPDATERA drawer organizer, which allows you to customize compartments based on the items you want to store. This way, your items stay in place rather than scattering each time you open the drawer—a familiar frustration for many. The organizer is available in two sizes: 60 cm and 80 cm.

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Cost: NIS 69. Available at IKEA stores nationwide.

Carpet

In 2024, new and refreshing trends in home decor emerged, blending nature, urban aesthetics, technology, and comfort. The carpet sector saw advancements with computerized production, printing techniques, and laser-cutting, bringing carpets to the forefront of design. New carpet features include unique shapes, fiber lengths, and textures.

One standout is the pebble rug collection, which has won prestigious design awards worldwide. Handwoven from wool clusters, these rugs combine a calming, natural ambiance with a luxurious look. Made of 100% wool, they suit any floor type.

Pebble rugs come in various sizes and colors, making them versatile for any space—living rooms, bedrooms, entryways, or even children’s rooms. They can be cleaned with a vacuum, broom, or professional cleaning services.

Cost: Starting at NIS 990, depending on rug size. Available at Tzemer stores nationwide and online.

Adjustable Laptop Table

With more people working from home, having a comfortable setup is essential. IKEA’s Mittzon table offers maximum convenience in a hybrid work environment. Thanks to its gas-spring mechanism, you can easily adjust the height and use it while sitting or standing—ideal for maintaining energy throughout the day. The table folds up and is easy to move, making it perfect for creating a flexible, dynamic workspace. Its compact, mobile design lets you shift it from room to room to fit your needs.

Cost: NIS 795. Available at IKEA stores.

SMOOVEE: Moving Heavy Items Easily

The Israeli boutique brand SMOOVEE introduces a fresh, stylish touch to the kitchen, enhancing everyday tasks on the worktop, easing cleaning around appliances, and allowing small and large appliances alike to move freely and effortlessly.

Already in thousands of Israeli households, this Israeli invention provides a sleek and user-friendly solution for the daily use of essential countertop appliances like mixers, coffee machines, and blenders. How simple is it? So straightforward and convenient that one wonders why it wasn’t invented sooner.

Cost: NIS 131 to NIS 268, depending on the appliance size. Available on the brand’s website.

Lighting Fixture to Transform a Room

Designed by Hagar Lushi (credit: NETA CONES)

Moving on to lighting, a crucial element in home decor. Architect and designer Hagar Lushi explains, “Lighting significantly impacts a room. It can be expensive or affordable, but it’s essential to give it space in your design plans early on, as it affects furniture placement and functionality. Lighting can highlight what we love and hide what we don’t.”

“One beautiful, prominent light fixture can transform a room. Spaces typically feature functional lighting, which is usually hidden and technical, as well as decorative lighting, which acts like a wall sculpture. With the vast array of lighting options, outlets, lighting stores, and designers, anyone can find lighting that suits their budget.”

Paint

Speaking of renovations, you don’t need to hire a professional (and even if you do, it costs only a few thousand shekels) to paint one room and breathe new life into it.

Interior designer Liat Hadad from Studio Tula says, “Paint has the power to energize a space and define it. With color, you can create a focal wall in a public space, separate rooms—like where the dining area starts and the living room ends. Today, there are plenty of colors, styles, and trends, such as plaster-like finishes, concrete textures, magnetic paint, antibacterial paint, and textured colors, providing a world of options to change a space. Even just painting one wall in a public area can make a big difference. You don’t need to paint the whole house—just choose a focal wall, and it will do the job.”