HG Openhouse Blog

Do you have a room that desperately needs a makeover?  While you’re making New Years resolutions for yourself, why not throw in a few for your home? 

Painting a room, rearranging furniture and updating accessories can make a huge impact in a room with a very little budget.  Don’t be afraid to switch furniture and accessories between rooms.  Mix it up a bit!

Here are some easy “makeover” ideas to make your home a happy oasis in 2009 (along with some tips to help you get started)! 

• Facial: Give your walls a facial with a fresh coat of paint. While you’re at it, why not try a new color?
• Pedicure: Update the wood trim with a fresh coat of paint.  You’d be surprised at what an impact that can make. Use a paint that is glossier than the walls to make it pop.
• New Outfit: Update a room seasonally with new pillows, art, and accessories. Find new ideas in magazines, favorite stores, online, etc!
• New Hair Style: Do you still wear your hair the same way you did in the 90’s?  Remember to change the arrangement on your mantle too.
• New Perspective: Is your furniture arrangement working for you? Is there a conversational area?  Is the room balance vertically?  Are the traffic patterns efficient?  Is there proper lighting for specific tasks? Is artwork hung at the appropriate height?

Ok, as promised, here are a few tips to help you get started:

Tip: Take a picture and reverse it, or look at your room via a mirror.  Your brain has cached an image of your room.  Reversing that image results in a whole new perspective. 

Tip: Map out your room and furniture with graph paper, or use an online space planner such as www.icovia.com.  Don’t forget to use moving discs to save your back! 

Tip: Vanish unsightly indentations left behind in your carpet by melting ice cubes on them, then fluffing with a toothbrush.

Tip: Too busy to paint a whole room at once?  Stick your paint brush in a plastic bag and get back to it when you can.  You can even put a whole paint tray in a larger bag overnight.

Tip: Consider hiring an Interior Redesigner who specializes in working with what you already have.  They can help you come up with a plan you can easily implement without a big budget. 

So what is your first project going to be?