How To Tackle A Room Makeover (My Step-by-Step Process)
Decorating a room can be a very exciting and fun process BUT also super overwhelming - where to start, what to buy, what if I pick the wrong pieces and waste money, time….! The pressure of buying all the right things and carrying a cohesive look throughout your home is real. I get it, I’ve been there! Designing any space requires patience, planning and problem-solving (because not everything will go the way you planned).
Whether you’re starting with an empty room or have decor you're wanting to incorporate into a new design, here is my simple step-by-step guide to hopefully guide you in the right direction.
Take Pictures
I start by taking pictures of every wall in the room and from every angle. I stand as far back as possible so that I can get as much of the space as I can. iPhones also have the .5 wide-angle photo option so that’s also helpful to capture more of the space.
Measure
Next, I measure the entire room - every wall, window and door opening. I also like to draw a rough floor plan of the room to write the measurements on. Nothing too detailed, just so I know which measurement is for which wall. Having photos and measurements for a room is super helpful for lots of reasons - furniture size and placement, window treatments, rug sizing, wall etc.
Make a List
Then, I make a “wishlist” of all the items I want and need for the room. I’ll also take into consideration the function of the room and what decor or furniture I’ll need to fill that function.
I also make a list of the things I already have! This helps me keep track of everything I have so far and focus on what I need.
Gather Inspiration
The next step is all about inspiration and imagining what the room could potentially become. Gathering inspiration helps to inspire decor decisions but more importantly, keep the overall design on track. This part is such an important step in my design process. I start my search on Pinterest, pinning photos of rooms that inspire me as a whole, but also those with specific elements I like. For example, one picture may have lighting I may really like while another uses gold accents that stand that out to me.
In this step, you also want to consider the other rooms in your home and make sure your new inspiration is tieing in well with them for your home to have cohesion.
Make A Portfolio
So, taking all the information I have gathered up to this point— pictures, measurements, inspiration photos and decor I already have - I make a portfolio for the room!
I can’t tell you how helpful it is to have everything all in one place where I can easily refer back to it. When I go shopping I always have it handy because I’m able to confirm measurements or match color swatches to make sure what I’m buying will incorporate well. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gravitated toward things that are SO cute but DON’T go with the decor I have or match my inspiration haha. This is when a portfolio comes in handy!
Ready To Shop
Now that I have my complete portfolio, I can go shopping and start to make smart decisions about what furniture and decor I’m selecting for the room.
If you’re renovating a space you’re going to start with flooring, tiles, hardware, lighting etc.
If you’re starting with an empty (non-furnished) room, I would start with items that are most difficult to customize which for me are RUGS. The last thing I pick is paint since it’s highly customizable and options are endless. The only time I select paint early is if I decide to do a bold color and it’s a major part of the design.
If you’re starting with furniture you already have, like a couch, it’s important to swatch the color for your portfolio so you can select decor that compliments well.
I hope this gives you a good starting point for your next room makeover! If you’re currently working on a fun makeover project I would love to hear about it! Leave me a comment below.
XO, MaCenna