If you watch popular home improvement and home decorating shows as I do, you have probably seen several different variations on this theme. From “Design Remix” to the Interior Redesign segment of “Decorating Cents,” you have probably already learned that you can decorate your home with very little or even no money.
The problem for most people is that they don’t know where to start. The professionals that transform rooms on those shows have years of practice and experience. Most homeowners do not. That’s okay. You can simply get some practice.
Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting that you begin moving heavy pieces of furniture around the house. There is a much easier way. You can draw a grid or make one on your computer. Make it to scale for the room you want to rearrange. Next, cut out pieces of heavy paper or cardboard in the shapes of your furniture, making sure these are also to scale. You can even color the page and the furnishings to match your space so you make sure to create proper color distribution while developing good flow via your furniture placement. This is simple to do on the computer, but it is also fun to do in hardcopy. If you use cardboard, you can even “upholster” your little furniture models with leftover fabric to get the full effect.
Next, begin arranging your scale models until you achieve a look and feel you like. When you have developed a plan you are comfortable with, measure the actual furniture and spaces to make sure your placements are accurate. Now, it’s time to move the furniture!
If rearranging the furniture doesn’t create a drastic enough change for you, try removing some of the current accessories and opting for items from other rooms in the home. If necessary, paint or recover some items to coordinate with the newly designed space. You should be able to freshen things up with new color or texture for very little money, and soon you will have a completely redesigned space!