Does your space need a new look?

Are you tired of looking at that same old furniture arrangement in your living room? Has the wall covering in the guest bathroom seen better days? Or do your rooms just feel blah? Maybe now is the time to give your space a new look.

Wake up your room with color. For instant impact, nothing beats adding color to a room. To find the right color for your room, find something you adore in a color that makes you happy. Add a few pillows and accessories in a new color to wake up a tired space.

Liven Up a dull floor plan. Try rearranging what you already own. Sometimes moving furniture around a room or transferring pieces from one room to another makes a huge difference. Or maybe you need a new furniture piece to finish your space.

Light up your world. If your room seems drab and dull, perhaps your lighting could use some attention. Consider replacing an old lamp or installing new wall fixtures. Perhaps adding some new lamps in an interesting color or shape will brighten up your room.

Identify your focal point. It can be a fireplace, a beautiful view, a bed or an armoire. Your room arrangement should surround your focal point. Pulling furniture into attractive groups in the center of the room will not only add warmth to your room, but will be inviting to guests as well.

What do you really like? If you’re unsure, get inspiration from a design website, design books and home decorating magazines. When you find a photograph of a room that you really like, spend some time analyzing what it is that you truly like about it.   

Start a decorating notebook. Save pictures of your favorite rooms and favorite items such as an interestingly shaped chair or a pretty fabric. Take some notes as you study these photos. Ask yourself: why do I like this room? What would I change? How do the fabrics, colors and textures make me feel? By including the answers to these questions in your notebook, you’ll not only save yourself a lot of valuable time, but your design professional will be thrilled with the thought you’ve given to your upcoming project.  

Set a realistic project budget and completion timetable. If you have a special upcoming event that’s inspired you to redecorate, then it’s important that the entire process start in enough time to meet your deadline. Your home should reflect your personality and make you feel relaxed, content and happy. If it doesn’t, maybe it’s time to call a professional decorator to help.

Pamela Ryalls-Boyd is an interior decorator who lives in Morgan Hill. She is a Decorating Den Interiors business owner and enjoys working together with Janet Cunningham. Reach Pamela at (408) 776-1412, [email protected] or visit www.decdens.com/decdenmh.