Sometimes you just need something new: time to declutter, rearrange and refresh! With just a few simple steps, splashes of colour and a handful of new accessories, you can give your rooms a whole new look. These tips will help you breathe new life into your home.
Redesign a room in 5 steps:
- Declutter and redecorate
- Colour through textiles
- Refresh white walls
- Flowers and plants
- New accessories
In a hurry? Jump straight to our room makeover summary.
1. Declutter, rearrange furniture and redecorate
Often the key is reduction – focusing on the essentials. Start by sorting through your things and getting rid of anything you don't need. That gives you more space to put your ideas into practice.
Reducing also makes your choice of colours clearer. Nuanced shades bring a room to life, and the fewer different colours you use, the calmer it looks. Decide from the outset which colours and style you want for your room, so that it looks harmonious later and everything goes together.
If the room is big enough, you may be able to rearrange your existing furniture. A new layout changes the whole scene and shifts the focus. Be brave and place something in the middle of the room, not just along the walls.
Rediscover old favourites and place existing accessories in new spots. Think about your other rooms too, and don't just swap small furniture and accessories within one room. That way you can create a fresh look without buying new furniture.
Restyle your shelves and showcase your favourite design pieces and personal mementos.
"Bookshelves are usually colourful and therefore visually dominant in a room. If you want to bring in more calm, the simplest thing to do is turn your books round with the spines facing the wall, so that from the front you only see a mix of beige tones." – Viktoria, interior expert.
You'll find more ideas on how to style your shelves here.
2. More colour through textiles
Nothing transforms a room like a change of colour. Here, too, small touches can make a big difference.
Coloured textiles and accessories can create a whole new feel. That applies to every room: a large rug, new cushion covers or airy curtains can visibly change a space. While muted colours set the mood, dark accessories add accents.
3. Refresh white walls
White walls can be given a new look in no time. Colour can fundamentally change the feel of a room, but you don't have to paint the whole room. Often painting just one wall is enough to give the room a new look.
You can also redesign your walls without painting at all. Instead of paint and wallpaper, try a large IXXI (2), wall hangings (1), mirrors, wall stickers (4) or a gallery wall (3). Just three posters are enough for a gallery wall. Find out here how to hang your pictures properly.
You can round off your wall design with matching textiles such as cushions and rugs. You'll find more ideas on how to style a grey sofa here.
4. Bring a room to life with fresh flowers
No room should be without fresh flowers in decorative vases – they breathe life into a newly furnished room.
If cut flowers are too much effort, get some pot plants and arrange them in plant pots in matching colours. While succulents are particularly hardy, fiddle-leaf figs and snake plants help purify the air and are especially useful in a home office or if you spend a lot of time at home.
5. Redesign a room with new accessories
Accessories let you change the mood of a room. Bring a clear line to your accessories. Too many colours spoil the picture, but a deliberate mix of styles gives the room personality. Nuanced pastel shades in the bedroom look calm and soft.
Room makeover summary
To redesign your home with simple means, you should:
- declutter to focus on the essentials
- create a clear choice of colours and clear structures in the room
- rearrange and restyle existing small furniture
- add splashes of colour with accessories or home textiles
- bring the room to life with flowers and new accessories
Enjoy giving your home a makeover!
