If you have a room that looks a bit tired and dated, consider doing a quick and economical one day room makeover.
See the tips and ideas below for ways to update and refresh a room's decor that is budget friendly and can be completed in just one day.
photo courtesy of Gatsby flickr.com/photos/8114555@N07/1295662817/
Prepare
If you are planning a one day makeover this Saturday, prepare as much as you can during the week.
Decide what you want to do, how you want to do it, what to add, and what to take away.
Reference magazines, catalogs, and online sources for inspiration.
If you need to purchase anything (especially if purchasing online), make sure it is at your home before Saturday.
When purchasing new items, be bold and unique, not plain and boring.
Call your friends and ask them to help (especially if you need to move heavy items) and get food and drinks ready for everyone.
Make sure you have a plan for what each friend is going to do.
Focal Point
When starting a one day makeover, determine what the focal point of the room will be.
It could be the fireplace in the living room or the bed in the bedroom.
The focal point should be focus of the room and be given much attention.
If you do not have a focal point, your room will often not feel finished.
Empty the Room
Often the best way to do a one day makeover is to remove everything from the room.
If there are large pieces that will only fit in one spot, leave them where they are.
Remove all medium and smaller items and clean the room thoroughly.
Paint
Probably the most dramatic thing you can do to a room is paint.
If your room is large, you probably won't be able to paint the entire room in just one day (unless you have many helpers).
Consider painting an accent wall, such as the fireplace wall, or the back wall of a built in bookcase a fun accent color.
Make sure to take your time when selecting a paint color since you don't have time to repaint.
Don't forget that you can also paint furniture, light fixtures, accessories, and more to update their look.
Rearrange Furniture
Rearrange your existing furniture and rugs to create a better traffic flow or more intimate conversation grouping.
You may need to remove a few pieces of furniture or borrow a piece or two from another room.
Rearrange Art and Accessories
After the furniture placement is finalized, add back in your art and accessories.
Only put back the best quality and your favorite pieces.
Different Textures
Add new pillows, curtains, and other soft items to give the room a new look and feel.
Contrast soft fabrics with items such as a rough woven basket and a sleek metallic sculpture.
Contrasting Colors
Make sure to have a few white or light colors and some black or dark colors in your room for contrast.
Contrast adds interest to a room that would otherwise feel dull.
A Live Element
Adding a simple living plant or vase of fresh flowers (maybe cuttings from your garden) can add personality and joy to a room.
A large tree can fill an empty corner.
You can even use a bowl of fresh fruit.
Avoid fake flowers and plants that just collect dust.
