With a modest investment in improvements, such as paint, lighting, linens, cushions and slipcovers, you'll see your home and existing furniture through new eyes. Simply re-arranging the pieces, and perhaps eliminating one or two pieces can also re-energize a tired room.
Designers say paint is the easiest and most cost-effective way to transform a space.
"Paint the walls, or one wall, or a key piece of a wall, or a fireplace mantel, or just the bulkheads -- you get the idea," says designer Joanne Padvaiskas, founder of Wow Great Place, with offices in Ottawa and Montreal.
"When you change your wall colour, the relationship of the existing pieces of furniture changes completely," she says. And subtle hues in fabric and artwork may become more visible as they play against a new colour.
Lighting can also transform a space, says Padvaiskas. "Even changing the bulbs can change how the room feels. Put as much as you can on dimmers -- put a dimmer in the bathroom for your next long soak in the tub. Think about where you need and want light."
If light fixtures or lamps and lampshades feel dated, shop for new ones at the nearest big box store -- there are some real bargains out there.
Next, consider how your furniture is arranged. "I've done lots and lots of spaces where we simply spent an hour or two rearranging the furniture. It amazes people how different the room will look and feel."
She may pull a sofa away from the walls, or create groupings of furniture in a larger room, but she never neglects traffic patterns and the way her clients use the space. If you're acting as your own designer, remember to make yourself at home: it's your place, not a furniture showroom.
Sometimes an unloved piece of furniture can blossom in another room. Chairs are the most versatile. They can live almost anywhere in the home, says Padvaiskas.
Chests of drawers are also good travellers. "They can act as a console or a dining room buffet. And I almost always remove the mirror on a bedroom dresser, and either hang it above the dresser on the wall, or use it in a different room. Just because the pieces were bought as a set doesn't mean they always have to live in the same room. Matchy-matchy can be bland."
New linens in a bedroom, and fresh towels in the bathroom are, of course, instant improvements.
Last, but not least, don't forget to pay attention to your foyer and front door. The foyer should be welcoming but also practical, with a place to drop keys and mail and slip off outdoor footgear
As for the front door, "It gives the world an idea of who lives inside. It is the face of the house," Ms. Padvaiskas says. The colour has to work with the facade of the house, of course, but it's an opportunity for bold colour: "Classic black, fire engine red, warm yellow, navy or royal blue, even deep eggplant, all make gorgeous front door colours."
--Canwest News Service
