Craving change? Time to freshen and update a room in your home? Many times we have the best intentions to get going on a project and we can’t get out of our own way to get started. I have listed a few steps to help you focus and plan to get that project going and hopefully finish. I am redoing our guest bedroom right now and will use as an example.

Step One:

Physically go into the room with a notebook and pencil. It makes it more ‘official’ and you will be amazed how much information you end up writing down. This step is very important especially if you have more than one room that needs done. You have to keep your attention in one room or you will be all over the place. You know how when you walk into another room and stand there wondering what you came in here for? That feeling!

Before Guest Bedroom:

Step Two:

Decide what is staying in the room and what is going out. I am keeping the bed in the room and one piece of art. I also have an old dresser that is being refinished and have taken measurements and plans exactly where it will live. Bed is best where it is so I am leaving there. So that means everything else should be taken out of the room. Another important step to do if you want to keep moving forward with project.

Step Three:

Take a look at the basics:

Furniture- What is staying? What other furniture will I need for room? (For my project, I will need two nightstands).

Walls- Need painted or going to keep the same for now? ( I am going to repaint the room).

Flooring- Keeping carpet? Hardwood? Would you like to add an area rug to the room? (We are keeping our hardwood floors and would like to add an area rug under bed).

Ceiling- Does the ceiling need painted? (Our guest room ceiling does not need repainted).

Windows- Are you keeping the trim around the windows the same? Or painting? Do you need privacy window treatments? My favorite window treatments are fabric window panels. Fabric brings in color and softness to any room. (I am undecided about my windows because of amount of room next to windows. I am putting the dresser between windows and not sure if panels will fit.)

Lighting- Do you have an overhead light in the room? Will you need lamps for task lighting and ambiance? (There is an overhead light that I would love to change to a hanging light OR a ceiling fan. Yes, I love lamps and will need new ones!)

STEP FOUR:

So you have decided what is staying in the room and what is going. Now you should be done to a pretty naked room. Starting with the largest piece, (the bed), do you like the layout in the space? Is the layout functioning well? Are you able to measure or move the piece around the room to see where you like it best?

STEP FIVE:

Accessories! The fun part. Write down what you will need/want for the room. Pillows? Throws? Plants? Art? Mirror? Then, if you shop mostly online lately like I do, you need a main place to hold your ideas and products. The place I use online is Pinterest. Many of you already have an account but if not, it is easy to set up. Then when you are searching for mirrors for example on any website, click on the little red P on the left top of photo. Pinterest will ask what category you would like to file under. (Kelly Guest Room). This makes it possible to go back and find product easily. Here is my board I started for my guest room here.

Guest Room Project

Need/Want List

Yes No

Paint X

Bed X

Bed Linens X

Pillows X

Area Rug X

Windows?

Dresser X

Nightstands X

Lamps X

Mirror X

Art over Bed X

Wallpaper X

This is a good way to start your shopping list. Gives you a direction. Time to go shopping! I laid my ideas out on a board to see how they all worked together:

My next step is choosing a wall color. I ordered a sample of the wallpaper I want to work with in the room and that will help narrow down my paint choices. I will probably stay with a neutral if I use the wallpaper because it is a busy pattern. I love to bring a bit of interest in every room and wallpaper does a good job of that. Good luck on your projects!

Hope you enjoyed. Have a great week everyone!!

Steps To Redesigning a Room