Room Re-design can be just what is needed to give a space an entirely updated, new feel and even functionality. S Interior Design offers a specific Room Re-Design service which uses the furnishings, accessories and artwork the client already has, but optimizes their placement and arrangement. We then offer recommendations for additional or optional design elements that would take the client’s room further towards the desired look and feel .
The guest post below shares good advice about how to re-design a room.
Things to Consider Before Redesigning a Room
At some point over time, even the best decorated rooms may need a makeover. Knowing where to start, how much to alter, or even whether the time is right can be tough questions to answer. An unplanned approach can draw out the process and muddle the results. Here are some things to consider before the room makeover bug gets the best of you.
Love/Hate
Redesigning a room does not have to be a matter getting rid of everything or shelling out a lot of money to re-furnish. The first thing you should ask yourself is, “What do I dislike about the room?” While you may have specific pieces in mind to relocate, replace, or dispose of, consider the fundamentals first.
• How are the walls and floors? If you are looking at a reasonably involved redesign, the shifting of pieces may create a good opportunity to repaint or re-floor. You may also just want to target specific problem areas (touching up paint, refinishing wood, etc.).
• How does the room flow? Based on the function of the room, is it easy to get around? Does foot traffic get awkward at certain points? Think about where people walk the most and where opening up space would help most. This will help you identify what needs to change with the furniture.
• Is there enough or too much natural light? Often the lack of appeal to a room has to do with the lighting though this may not be the first thing we consider. Natural light should be considered first and can be controlled by careful consideration of window treatments. Applying window tint is an excellent way of utilizing natural light without fading interior fabrics or letting in too much heat while alleviating the burden of lighting by artificial means.
• Is there enough or too much artificial light? The sun being a light source that comes and goes, artificial light has to pick up the slack. The thing to consider here is whether the room loses appeal as the dark hours set in and whether the things you like about the room are lit well enough. At the same time, too many light fixtures can clutter space and too much light can be uncomfortable.
Now, pick out what you love about the room. Pieces that you love may just need better placement or better lighting to be done justice. Think about repainting or re-finishing wood furniture. For outdated upholstered furniture, you might want to consider a fitted cover if you still find you like it from a structural standpoint. With light fixtures you like, consider whether a different bulb, shade, or diffuser would be a better option. Also, if you like an item but it just doesn’t hurt to try placing it in a different room, space permitting.
Arrangement
S Interior Design Space Plan
Once you have accounted for what can stay and what needs to go, you have to get a picture of how to fill the space with the elements you have. It is a good idea to draw things out on paper to get an idea of how they should look in terms of the spatial arrangement. You don’t necessarily have to be a great artist, but you can also use a computer program if you feel your hand will not help enough to justify the effort.
Bear in mind that if you are planning to install more permanent features into a room, such as light fixtures, ceiling fans, or chandeliers, those should be considered first and by themselves in terms of placement since you will likely want to be able to work around them flexibly for future redecorating. Furniture should be next and considered in order of largest and heaviest to smallest and lightest so you can figure out how to make the best of the available space.
Long Term Viability
It is also important to consider whether the long-term value of what you are doing. If you plan to sell a place, you will have to think about whether your permanent changes will appeal to potential buyers. If the changes are all for your own enjoyment, you have to consider how often your budget will likely allow you to redesign and to what extent. Rearranging what you already have is the best place to start a redesign under a tighter budget. Acquiring and implementing new items over time may be the only option where budget dictates, but try to keep a cohesive picture in mind so that you are less likely to end up with a room full of mismatched elements. The more you intend to do at once, the more planning should go into the project, but a bit of forethought in any circumstances will help you create a room that will be enjoyed for years to come.
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