“The most affordable way to revive things is, first and foremost, have an open mind,” says interior designer Rhonda McLaughlin of My Design Studio in Frederick. “And the second step is to take what little budget you do have and ask a professional.
“It may not be as expensive as you think, and having a set of fresh eyes on your situation may be just what you need.”
Before meeting with a designer, McLaughlin suggests organizing your thoughts and ideas so you can make the best use of your time together.
“If the designer is open to it, email them photos of your space prior to your meeting, along with a little laundry list of what you do and don’t like. If they’re anything like me, they won't be able to help themselves—they’ll be designing your space in their sleep and at no charge to you yet!”
To help you start making serious changes in your space without seriously damaging your budget, McLaughlin suggests:
Purging. Stuff has a way of accumulating over the years, and last year’s treasured knickknack can easily morph into this year’s clutter. So take a hard look at what you’ve got. If your tchotchkes are shabby, outdated, or just too numerous, do some spring cleaning. You’ll end up with a de-cluttered, more spacious-feeling room, and that’s always a good thing!
Rearranging and reassigning. Sometimes, we set up a room a certain way the day we move in and then never change it. But don’t be afraid to move things around—it’s totally free and easily undoable. And while you’re at it, swap out furniture, accessories, or lamps from one room and use them in another. Who knows? That mirror over the sofa could be perfect for the foyer.
Adding color. Never underestimate the power of paint! It’s the easiest, fastest, and most affordable way to make a dramatic change. And it can always be redone (or undone). When choosing a color, think about what the room is used for and what sort of “feel” you’d like it to have. Also keep in mind that lighter tones give the illusion of more space, while deeper tones will feel more intimate. Whether you decide to paint an entire room or a single accent wall, remember that:
Green is associated with nature and can create a relaxing atmosphere.
Blue, a perennial favorite, can be calming and serene.
Purple can be anything from regal to relaxing, depending on the shade.
Red—in all its forms, from pink to magenta—is the color of passion and heat.
Orange is a high-energy color that’s perfect for sparking creativity.
Yellow is a happy, sunshiny color, but a little goes a long way.
Personalizing. This is your home, not a movie set. So fill it with things that matter to you. Rescue old photos from shoeboxes and group them together on a wall using inexpensive, coordinated frames. To prevent nail-hole do-overs, lay all the framed photos out on the floor before hanging them so you can figure out the perfect arrangement. Sketch your layout (or snap a digital photo of it) to help you remember which picture goes where.
Think a pro is the way to go when it comes to your redesign? Contact Rhonda McLaughlin at 301-676-3228, rhonda@mydesignstudio.org, www.mydesignstudio.org.
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