Revamp, Redecorate or Renovate?

Maybe it’s just the “After Christmas Blaas”,  but suddenly you walk into your living room and you feel deflated, bored or maybe even a little depressed? 

Your home should be an uplifting place that reinvigorates you.  Maybe it’s time to revamp, redecorate or renovate.  Your budget probably defines what you should do to your room or home.  If you can revamp a room the cost will be minimal.  If you renovate, you should consult with a designer, architect or construction contractor.  Maybe the middle of the road is to redecorate.

The following tips might do the job for you- inexpensively.  But for sure these tips will help you create a new look that will make you smile!

Undecorate First:  Take down all of your holiday decorations, remove knickknacks and tschoskes, photos and artwork, plants and lamps- even throws and pillows have to go. (you may bring back some items, so don’t throw them too far)

Leave only the anchor pieces- sofa, tables and big shelves, pianos and such. You may, however trade furniture pieces with another room.) Your goal is to start with an empty box, a blank slate, tabula rasa.  Now you can create your work of art with stunning success -one room at a time!

Re Arrange the Furniture:  If your sofas are flanking the fireplace, maybe you’d like to change the focal point and look out the window?  Or if your focal point is the TV, maybe it’s time to deemphasize that and re arrange so your room will work as multi functional- a place to check your email or a place for the kids to do homework? Whatever it is that you need to change,  the living room needs to look inviting, less formal and generally updated.

New Art Work:  Replace dated family photos with new images. Reflect on the current season, the approaching season, or a new mood that you are feeling. Try a new theme with artwork, spice things up with a new accent color. You might try your hand at oil or acrylic painting on canvas- try an abstract with bright splashy colors. Go a brand new direction  – its risky but what are you out? If you are not ready to replace old artwork or photos, try a new arrangement on your wall or place the collection on a different wall.

 

 

New Lighting:   Many overlook the aspect of lighting in the home.  We often think of the functional feature of lighting rather than the aesthetics or décor for a room.  To make a dramatic change in a room, get new lamps.  Be brave, change your style with a pair of  new table lamps or perhaps a buffet lamp on the sofa table. Try them in different locations. You may want to add a light to shine on some artwork or back-light your book shelves or other furniture.  Light makes a great difference.

 

Add Storage:  Trays on tables, placemats under lamps or trays, baskets for remotes or magazines, a chest instead of coffee table, small desk or perhaps a console or up right chest.