With February being a month of transition into new things (hello spring flowers), I thought it might be nice to share with you a process for reimagining a room in your home. It might be that it’s not working for you practically right now or furniture has worn out and it's time for a refresh. Maybe the layout doesn’t work or it doesn’t feel quite right alongside the rest of the home. Whatever your starting point the following steps can all apply to help you design your new room and action it.
Now for some people it’s a no brainer and they happily throw things together and it just ‘works’ but for the majority it doesn't feel quite as simple. There’s worries about having enough time to focus on it, enough budget to throw at it and concerns about not getting it right that seem to creep in and fester until another year passes and you’ve done nothing about it! So here for you today are some simple steps to get things moving (and if you are not inclined then give me a call and I will happily help solve your problems!). I have also added in links to other blog posts for a deeper dive on particular parts.
First things first, is the practical bit. Without working out the purpose and function of the room then irrelevant of however beautiful you make it… it won’t work for you. So here are some questions for you to dig down to what you want and need from the room (bear with me! Even a bedroom has multiple functions - is it also a dressing room, does a desk need to fit in there, does it need to be completely calm or do you also squeeze your yoga sessions in beside the bed? All of these things impact the designs). So ask yourself:
Evaluate the current use of the room: Is it meeting your practical needs? Is there enough storage?
Reassess functionality: Consider how the room could better serve your lifestyle (e.g., multi-functional spaces).
Establish the mood and purpose: Decide how you want the space to feel—cosy, energizing, serene, or luxurious.
Now for the more creative bit. Again if this feels alien to you don’t panic just yet. It’s all about the gut feel. You will naturally gravitate towards things you like in images so get pinning or ripping images from magazines and then take a birds eye view of the images and pick out the commonalities - these are the things you like.
Create a mood board: Use platforms like Pinterest or physical boards to collect images that inspire you. You can then drill down further into colour schemes, furniture styles, and textures that appeal.
Look at existing features: Identify architectural details, natural light, and standout elements that can be highlighted.
Identify themes: Choose cohesive themes or styles that resonate with you.
Auditing what you have is key to the planning process as well. I am very against ditching perfectly good items to ‘refresh’ a room. It’s not necessary and it’s unsustainable in the long term as well. I worked with a client recently at their home and they had a tardis-like crawl space loft from which mirrors, lamps and more appeared over time and we integrated all of it within the scheme. Now sometimes things just won’t work but that doesn’t mean you dump it. Check if it can work elsewhere in your home and if not (and storage is an issue) then sell it on. Someone else will find a home for it I’m sure.
And then to be brutally honest, often a room just needs a damn good decluttering. We all do it, you stop seeing the creeping mess. It might be that your pile of magazines or books has grown in the corner, or the vases have all collected on one shelf and are squashed together… I could go on… But take a stern look at your space and think about what’s needed, what you’d like to have on show and then declutter the rest.
Now you have a clearer space, a sense of the style and colours you like and know what you are keeping and what you are looking for. This then is the time to ‘design’. Usually with clients we talk about either colour and moods (how you want to feel) as a starting point or an item they love (furniture, picture, memento) and work it up from there.
Choose a colour palette: Base it on the mood you want to create and the room’s lighting conditions (that’s a whole other blog there I know but do take a look at some of the premium brand paint websites as they give guidance on colours that will work for North, South, East, West facing rooms for example)
Decide on key elements: Identify anchor pieces, like a sofa, dining table, or bed, around which you’ll build the design.
Layout planning: Optimize the layout for flow and function using a floor plan. Again a whole topic on its own but if in doubt then tape it out. Use masking tape or chalk to draw the big ticket items in the room on the floor and then you can visualise how much space you have around them to move.
Consider lighting: by layering your lighting and having the right lights for the room and your activities can make or break a space
Start with the big decisions: Wall colours, major furniture, and layout come first. Build smaller elements around them.
Work in layers: Treat each layer (walls, floors, furniture, décor) as a separate step to avoid overwhelm.
Edit as you go: Step back frequently to assess what works and remove anything that feels out of place.
Use symmetry and balance: Pair elements like matching side tables or lamps but avoid making the room feel overly formal.
Tired yet? Or still enthused? Next up is a favourite of mine. Where to spend and where to save. The materials and decor are the bits you will touch and see everyday so making sure you spend on the right bits for longevity and budget cleverly on the less functional items means that you can get an elevated finish for a lot less than you’d think.
Invest in quality: Prioritize spending on items that will last, such as furniture or lighting.
Mix high and low: Combine investment pieces with affordable, trendy items to stay within budget.
Focus on texture and layering: Incorporate throws, cushions, rugs, and curtains for depth and warmth.
Mix textures: Combine soft and hard materials for visual interest. By mixing textures it adds depth to a room and will make it feel more considered than everything being matchy matchy.
Think contrast: Balance sleek surfaces (glass or metal) with warm, tactile elements (woven throws, shag rugs).
Durability: Choose fabrics and finishes that suit your lifestyle (e.g., stain-resistant fabrics for families or pets) - always a bit of practicality needed!
So you are ready to get going now. If you are attacking this yourself then there are some planning tips to consider here. Or if you are looking to employ decorators/tradesmen then please do get at least 2 (preferably 3) quotes so you can compare.
Start with a blank slate: Clear the space and box up belongings
Apply changes in layers:
Paint or wallpaper walls and ceilings.
Lay down rugs or install new flooring.
Arrange key furniture.
Add lighting, soft furnishings, and decorative accessories.
Accessorise with intention:
Choose artwork pieces that reflect your style and complement the colour palette. Large pieces work well over sofas or beds.
Group decorative objects in odd numbers (3 or 5), vary heights, and use trays to anchor smaller pieces.
Add plants or flowers. They literally bring a room to life.
Use throws and cushions to introduce patterns, colours, and textures.
Spend time in the reimagined room to see if it feels right. And don’t be frightened to play at swapping things around for a bit until it feels just right. So are you ready to get cracking? If you need any advice or support I am always here to help!
Message me today: tor@denlife.co.uk
Comentários