How to Redesign a Room

If the thought of giving your room a makeover is making you queasy, don’t despair. Redesigning a room requires little more than a tape measure, a pencil and notebook, a little cash and your own imagination. Whether you're giving the room a new purpose or just want a new look, these simple steps will keep you on the right decorating path.

Things You'll Need

• Steel tape measure
• Pencil and notebook
• Cash
• Imagination

Instructions

1. Empty the room. Measure the length and width and write it down in the notebook. Make a little sketch to indicate where the windows and doors are, and if there are closets or built-ins. Draw a separate sketch of how you want the furniture and accessories laid out in the room.

2. Look for your inspirational piece. This could be a piece of furniture, a painting or poster, a vase or window treatment. It’s the one thing that you definitely want in the room.

3. Before putting in any furniture, decide if you want to replace the flooring or carpet, put in new windows, do any structural changes or if any structural repairs are needed. Deconstruction and reconstruction (including repairs) come first. Then comes windows (if replacing), painting, flooring or carpet, in that order.

4. Now the fun part. Take the colors and style from your inspiration piece. If your inspiration is a Picasso print, choose a shade of the strongest color and this is the wall color. Because Picasso is edgy (even now!) choose furnishings that are modern, are made from unusual materials and play off the geometric shapes of the Picasso.

5. Choose fabrics with colors and patterns that coordinate with the inspiration piece. Print out a copy of the inspirational piece or bring it with you when you shop. This is the best way to be sure the colors are right.

6. Arrange the room according to the sketch you drew in Step 1. You will most likely need to make a few adjustments, but if you’ve stayed with your color palette and style, these adjustments should be at a minimum.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep all your receipts. If you find a piece just doesn’t work, you want to be able to return it.

• Take a good look at what you already own. You may be able to reupholster or repaint a piece to give it new life, and save a little cash.

• Before purchasing any large piece, make sure you can get it through the door into the room.