A full scale remodel isn’t always feasible when you’re thinking of changing up the spaces in your home. Not only do major overhauls require time and money, they also require a vision and design concept if they are to be successful. However, simply changing the accessories, lighting, and furniture arrangement in a room can give the entire space a new feel.
The easiest way to start refreshing a room is to determine what it is that you aren’t satisfied with in the first place. Is it too small? Is it too dark? Is there just too much stuff in the way? If it’s something as simple as feeling too small and dark, changing the window coverings and adding new lighting fixtures can instantly brighten a space and make it feel larger. Below are a few ways to analyze your space and determine what’s the easiest way to change it up.
Accessories
Accessories are probably the easiest way to give a room a different feel. Accessories can be anything from throw pillows to artwork to rugs to plants - almost anything that doesn’t count as furniture or lighting can be considered an accessory. If a room has too much stuff or feels cluttered, there might be too many accessories. Purging all surfaces of movable items is the best way to clear the room and start from scratch. Introducing the accessories back into the room one by one can give you a feel for when just enough items becomes too many. De-cluttering the space can refresh a room without even spending any money on additional items! However, if you do want to change the theme or concept of a room, investing in a new rug and artwork for the walls can give a space a dramatic change. For the budgetary concerns, consider recovering existing throw pillows with new fabric, or simply moving the accessories from one room in the house to another.
Inexpensive items can be found locally at many stores, including places like Home Goods and Garden Ridge. Clearance items in these stores can actually be of great value - even if they are not in perfect condition, as some undesirable features (like a chipped vase) can be displayed in a way that hides the defect.
Lighting
Lighting can be controlled either by affecting the natural light or artificial light. Natural light refers to the daylight within a space, and is generally controlled by blinds or drapes. If your space seems dark, merely removing the window covering can give the space a much more spacious feel. If the room still requires privacy, consider window films, retractable blinds that don’t interfere with the light coming in, or sheer curtains.
Artificial light is generally considered either visible or invisible in terms of decorating. Visible light fixtures add to the décor of the room, you see the actual fixture (like a table lamp or a hanging pendant). Invisible light fixtures tend to blend into the environment and ideally the occupants don’t focus on the light fixture itself (like recessed lighting). Introducing more lighting into a space can brighten it up, but you also want to consider what the fixture itself says about the space. If a large floor lamp is taking up too much space, you might consider dropping a pendant from the ceiling, or wiring for a wall sconce. Adding new permanent fixtures do require more time, money, and planning for wiring and labor, but the investment can be worth the effort. Inexpensive fixes might be just changing a lamp shade or base. Stores like Hobby Lobby offer a variety of lamp shade and bases, and can often be found on sale throughout the year.
Furniture Arrangement
Space planning within a room is vital and changing the location of certain pieces of furniture can give the area a whole new look and feel. The size of the room is the main determining factor in space planning, as some rooms will only offer limited arrangements due to size constraints. If there aren’t many options for furniture arrangement, you can either add, remove, or swap out pieces to create a new look. Replacing a clunky, worn nightstand with a sleek, modern version can change the sense of a room instantly. Refurnishing a piece can be an inexpensive way to update it - sanding, painting, and changing the hardware on a dresser can take it from the ugliest piece in the room to the most outstanding within a day.
If a space does have the room to play with furniture arrangement, consider drawing the floor plan out first to plan ahead. Experimenting with possible arrangements on paper can help you see things in a way that might be more logical than just moving pieces around arbitrarily. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, even putting furniture on a diagonal if space allows, as not everything needs to be anchored by a wall.
The most cost effective way to revitalize your space is to work with what you already have, but if you’ve got the extra money, why not splurge in a few new pieces? Older pieces can be donated, refurbished, or simply moved to other rooms. Additionally, swapping furniture with a friend might be the refresher your room needs, and you each get new furniture without spending a fortune!
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