What is a Home Redesign? 5 Tips on Making High-Impact Updates With Low-Impact Costs

When watching HGTV, the makeover design shows seem to have a common thread. The designers would ask the home owner questions regarding their needs and style preferences, and then transform their space while they were away. The reveal day would show homeowners gasping and exclaiming, "Is this my house?" It makes for great TV and I know many homeowners would love that opportunity, but they rarely share the cost and the homeowners are moved out of their home for weeks!  Our homes are full of our treasures and our lives are busy, a complete renovation is not always ideal.  If you're craving a change in your home but don't want to deal with demo, purchase all new furniture or replace high-cost items, you're not alone.  Instead of a full renovation, try a Home Redesign. 

What is a Home Redesign? The definition of redesign via google is to 'design again in a different way.'  Let's talk about its meaning in updating your home.  Think low cost updates like painting and changing light fixtures, and avoid replacing flooring and removing all the kitchen cabinets.
Here are some points on how you can re-design  your space.

• Use what you have. Dull and chipped cabinets can be repurposed and painted. A large sectional in a living room needs to stay, but adding a new rug and throw pillows gives it a whole new look. Pull pillows, accessories and art from other rooms that reflect the style and color palette. Deciding what stays in the space and shopping your own home is a great place to start when redesigning. 
• Paint goes a long way. Painting a room a new color can completely change the feel of the space. Taking bold color walls to a more neutral palette is what we recommend when you are staging, because it appeals to more buyers. Keep in mine there are some colors that are neutral-meaning goes with everything. Like a warm black.
• Light fixtures. Replacing a light fixture's metal finish and shape can redesign a space into a different style. Choosing a style and size based on what is staying in the space is key to selecting a light fixture.
• Furniture layout. The biggest impact to a room is changing its functionality. Are there corners in the room you're not using? Sofa too large for the space?Start with your path of travel, the direction you take to get from room to room. If it is blocked  with furniture, tt may be time to rearrange the layout. Remember, all your furniture does not have to be against a wall. 
• Source a new piece. Is the sofa too big for the space?  Dining table that doesn't fit the family? Need a piece of wall decor to bring the look together? Choose that one piece you need to really change the way you use the space, and go shopping!

Redesign projects can be $500 - $5000 and they avoid higher ticket items. Like painting cabinets instead of replacing cabinets, keeping the floors and coordinating them with the appropriate paint color.
Here's a recent space we redesigned.  This built-in was customized for the space but needed an upgrade. The black paint color is Sherwin Williams, Iron Ore, a warm soft tone of black. A coat of new paint and upgraded hardware gives this a classy update with minimal cost. 

To enhance the natural light a softer color was added to the walls, Sherwin Williams Modern Gray. Its a neutral color that is a perfect blend of beige and gray that coordinates with the flooring and kitchen cabinets. Which are the large components of the space that were staying.
Redesigning the dining room, the same black color was added to the accent wall. Light fixtures were recently purchased so we worked with the metal finish and style of the fixture by bringing in a round table and black metal chairs. In a small space, avoid using edges, like a square or rectangle table. We achieved a functional but upgraded look to accommodate the new design style. 

The potential to completely reinvent the space is certainly there, but many homeowners can not take that step unless they won a makeover by a TV show! ​Redesign can work with what you currently have in your home with simple changes like paint and swapping out light fixtures.
Not confident about tackling updates and sourcing furniture on your own? A professional can assist with this process, once your style has been defined we can use that knowledge to reflect every design decision and purchase throughout your home.  When you're not looking for a complete room renovation but desire the upgrade, consider Redesign.    
​Need help locally or online, see our services menu for how we can help you in your Redesign ~gina t. graham