How to Plan a Room Makeover

If you’re like me, the prospect of re-doing a room is an exciting one.  But, it’s also a little daunting and sometimes downright overwhelming.

I have a couple of room re-do projects on my radar this year and it’s something that has me excited and challenged all at the same time.

I’m neither an expert nor a professional decorator, but I’ve learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t through personal experience, failed projects, decorating blogs & magazines and tips from professionals.   So, today, I want to pass along what I have learned and what works for me in hopes that it might help you with your big decorating projects.  

Here are some simple tips that may help explain how to plan a room makeover:

Tip #1.  Create a budget

I know, you’re probably saying “duh!”  But, really, it’s so easy to let a room decorating budget get away from you.  Especially if you’re like me and you fall in love with so many things you see and want to bring them home.  The truth is, not only is it expensive to buy everything you see, but not everything should go in to your new room.  It’s important to know what you can afford to spend up front so you can prioritize and maybe even splurge on special items once in awhile.

Tip #2.  Research, research, research

Find photos of things you like.  Look in magazines, on Pinterest, in catalogs, etc.   The clearer the picture of what you want the room to look or feel like, the better!  Be sure to keep your inspiration photos in one place so you can refer to them during the process — create a Pinterest board, a memo board or a file folder.

Tip #3.  Put together a “mood board” 

Creating a mood board has helped me a ton!  What is a mood board?  It’s simple a board that has pictures of all the various elements of the room — like paint swatches, fabric samples, lighting, etc. — in one place.  

Here is one I created for my son’s room makeover:

 

I made this one for my dining room makeover:

You don’t have to have a fancy design program to create a mood board.  I made mine in Power Point.  I just save pictures that I like and put them in to a blank slide.  You could even make one using poster board and cut-out pictures from magazines and actual paint chips and fabric samples.

This is a board I quickly made using the free online program Olioboard:

It’s cool because it allows you to upload a picture of your space and add elements in.  You can really see everything together this way.

You can upload your own decorative items — such as furniture, rugs and lamps — or choose from a big library that resides on the Olioboard site.

I created the picture above  to not only give Olioboard a try, but to get some ideas for a future kitchen update.

Since I started using mood boards, I discovered that they really keep me on track when making all of my purchases, and they help me see how things look together.   It’s great to do these before you paint or make any big purchases.  Also, if you start getting nervous about an element you’ve chosen, just look at your mood board and it might just give you the confidence you need to know that it will work together in the end!

Tip #4.  Use Online Tools 

Until recently, I had only read about these tools.  

• Benjamin Moore’s Personal Paint Color Tool
• Sherwin Williams Chip It

I’m dying to paint my kitchen cabinets but my husband is not convinced.  

I tried the Benjamin Moore tool to see what our cabinetry might look like painted.  It’s a little tricky to use, but seeing as how I’m not super technical and I figured it out, I’m betting you can too.

I didn’t get too fussy with the painting tool.  As you can see, I didn’t crop out things like the plates over my cook top or the kitchen towels on the island.  I just wanted to get a feel for what painting and/or staining would do.

The Sherwin Williams Chip It tool is also pretty cool.

Have you ever seen a picture you love on Pinterest and wondered what the paint color is?  Chip It helps you do it!

It’s so cool!

Tip #5.  Keep an Open Mind

Be somewhat flexible while sticking to your plan – 

Sounds like a contradiction, right?  What I mean is, don’t feel like you have to buy that one item from the expensive retailer where you got your inspiration.  Scope out thrift stores, shop around, or you can even make a knock-off yourself.  You can even trade out an item or two on your mood board as long as it fits the overall color scheme and plan of the room. But, do your best to stick to your plan because it all will come together when it’s finished and you’ll be so glad you did!

Tip #6.  Be patient – don’t buy the first thing you love, and don’t get discouraged if it takes you an entire year to complete the room.  You will get there and, I promise, if you follow these simple steps, your chances of creating a room you love are greatly improved!

Thanks so much for reading today!