Easy One day Make-over Room Ideas

Looking for some make-over ideas to change up your space this coming year?  Check out some of these simple ideas, that don't involve totally over hauling your space, sometimes just tweaking what you have can be just as fresh and dramatic!

1 - Pull the furniture together.  The go-o when arranging furniture in a room is to push furniture up against the wall but that doesn't always work.  If the furniture is too far apart it's difficult to  have a conversation and entertain in.  Try pulling furniture away from the walls leaving about 30 inches behind the piece for flow through

2 - Supersize your cocktail table.  If your guests need to stand up the get their drink or snack from the cocktail table there is something wrong with the arrangement.  there should be about 1 foot between the table and the seating to create cohesion and function in the space.  In a large room you may want to look for an over sized cocktail table or double them up.



3.  Think seating. Especially if you like to entertain, you don't need a gigantic sofa in the middle of the room to encourage conversation.  You rarely see 3 people sitting side by side on a sofa in a conversation but you do see people engaged in great discussion when seated in chairs that face each other or are angled toward each other.

4.  Accent with pattern and colour.  If you love a pattern but are challenged by a small space, think about other ways to use the pattern.  You could get pattern in there through fabric chairs, pillows, drapes and an area rug but why not try something really different like wall paper the back of bookcases.  Not sure about wall paper, you could use a pop of colour with paint


 

 5.  Tight space but busy space try a swivel chair!  If you have a small space like a den that is a popular room try swivel chairs that are comfortable and sleek.  They offer ease of movement and they will be a favourite with just about everyone!

6.  Big Impact with Art.  You don't need to use small art in small rooms.  Make an impact with one over sized pieces which is a clean and sophisticated look with big drama or opt for a grouping of art pieces.  Keep one arrangement per wall for major impact. A grouping of art is a great way to display a number of pieces you like in a fresh way, you can mix frames and styles of art or keep it very streamlined with same shape, same frames and same style







 7.  Don't be afraid to block windows.  Furniture doesn't have to be placed up against a solid wall, sometimes you just don't have that option.  Make your architecture work, if you have a window wall (like many in condos would) look for low pieces that are also streamlined, they will be functional and still allow for light and air to pass through.

30 minute room makeover ideas

I am sure many of you would agree that most of the room makeovers we see on TV or in magazines are quite expensive and intrusive. So here are some quick and easy fixes to give your room (any room) a makeover in 30 minutes or less.

a -- storage solutions. how about a small box for remote controls, or a large serving tray to cover a coffee table surface. large serving trays are great ways to display collections on a console table or to keep books and magazines organized on a bedside table. add some candles and a vase with flowers to create a very small vignette. organizing your space can really make it feel new and fresh.

b -- new seat cushions. if you have chairs that allow for cushions, change them up and add some pop with colour or texture. choose a colour you love (and can live with) and you can play it up throughout your space.

c -- install a floating shelf. a new shelf can go anywhere - kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or any room. they are a great way to eliminate clutter from photos, artwork, or collections from surface space. they help dress up your walls and bring attention to the pieces you place on it.

d -- hardware. change it up but be sure to measure the handles spread (if you have handles right now, knobs allow you to select a knob, pull or handle). but don't neglect the hardware on your furniture pieces, that too can really change up the look of a room.

e -- new lamp shades. another great way to add colour or pattern to a room, but remember to choose a colour that will work with the other colours you have injected into the space. also try a new shape of shade.

f -- area carpet. this works well in the living room under the coffee table, in the bedroom or perhaps (depending on the size of ...) your bathroom. this adds texture, pattern and/or colour.

g -- add a new shower curtain and don't forget the hooks. this can really freshen up your space and create a spa like atmosphere. don't see anything you like? purchase a curtain (intended for a 'dry' room) and be sure to have a waterproof shower liner to keep it dry. the hooks add some shine to the space.

h -- new seating. you can never have too much but it can get expensive, so add stools or cubes in a material such as a leather, rattan, or micro suede. this not only adds seating but some colour and/or texture and perhaps storage.

i -- peel and stick tiles. not for the floor but the back splash. Home Depot has some reasonably priced peel and stick metallic tiles for the back splash. this is a bit more permanent that the other suggestions but if you are looking to update a kitchen, make a big impact but spend little money - this will do all of that. easy to install.

With a long winter still ahead of us, a room makeover can give you something fun and exciting to do. Try all or some of these but a room makeover can really beat the winter blahs.