Tips to Help You Update a Room

Do you have a room in your home that isn’t meeting its potential? Maybe the lighting isn’t right for both working and relaxing, or the traffic flow feels clunky. If its feeling overwhelming to conquer, here is a strategy to break it down into easy, actionable steps:

First, determine FUNCTION: what do you do in the room? What is the traffic flow? The storage needs? Write down everyone that uses it, and what is needed for it to function well.

Next, establish the MOOD you’d like to create in the room. Do you want to host lively dinner parties, with dynamic conversation? Or are you looking to create a quiet oasis to curl up and read in? Bringing in vibrant color and pattern will contribute to a more stimulating environment. Editing out busy patterns and colors will help you create an atmosphere of serenity. Plants are good for both!

Now that you have your roadmap for function and mood it is time to edit. We are going to evaluate the rooms layout, lighting and color.

LAYOUT: Do you have the correct furniture you need to be comfortable? This may sound obvious, but a lot of us make do with uncomfortable seating. Remember Covid? Working from home on the couch instead of creating an ergonomic set up? The physical repercussions of bad posture are real. Is there too much furniture, making the space feel claustrophobic and unwelcoming? Do a furniture edit to make sure you have what you need where you need it, and get rid of the extra random pieces. Make sure everything you sit on is comfortable!

LIGHTING: A lot of rooms lack enough lighting, especially ambient lighting. Do a lighting edit: Do you have the task lighting you need to see well when reading or working? Do you have a light that is easy to turn on when entering the room in the dark (general lighting). Is there a range of mood lighting? These are lamps that give a nice, warm glow, and make the space inviting and relaxing. Frequently this gets neglected, but it is what makes you and your guests want to sit down, and stay a while. Have 5-8 lights in your room, so you can control the ambience and the functionality of the space.

COLOR: Color is the most unique design element because it is so personal and emotional. It is largely responsible for creating the mood in a room. It also ties everything together visually, because every material has color. Do a color edit; if you want to create more quiet and cohesion, edit colors out. Repeat colors, and use more muted tones to calm the room. If you want to liven up your space to be more dynamic and engaging, add color. Use saturated tones for energy, and contrasting colors to create more drama.

If this still feels overwhelming to you, and you’d like personal guidance, I’d love to help. I offer design packages that will take your room to the next level. And I make it fun! CONTACT ME