How to Budget for a Whole Room Refresh: A Complete Guide to Smart Spending
Introduction
Staged for Living’s Whole Room Refresh is a popular choice for busy professionals who want a complete room makeover. We handle everything from planning to installing the final look, so our busy clients can relax and enjoy their new space.
But what if you want to decorate the room yourself? Maybe you have the time, the ideas, and the know-how to make it happen. This guide will walk you through organizing your budget, so you can create a beautiful, refreshed room without overspending. Let’s get started!
Start with Your Decorating Vision:
Set Priorities and Goals
Before starting your room refresh, think about what you want from the new space. Do you want a cozy and relaxing room? Or maybe a fun and colorful space that makes you feel excited?
Try making a mood board. This could be a digital board on Pinterest or even a collage on poster board. Add pictures of colors, furniture, or decorations you love. Seeing all your ideas together will help you picture how the room will look and decide where to spend your budget.
Begin Space Planning and Designing
Here’s a step-by-step guide to plan out your room redesign:
Sketch a Floor Plan: Measure your room and sketch a simple layout to explore different furniture arrangements. Note the locations of doors, windows, and outlets to plan around these features.
Color Scheme: Choose a color palette that complements your existing items and adds a fresh look. Find 2-3 primary colors and an accent hue, creating a balance of light, dark, and bold tones.
Curtain Length: Measure from the floor to your curtain rod location (optimally close to the ceiling and 8 inches wider than the window) to get an ideal curtain length. Curtains often look best when they slightly “kiss” the floor.
Walls & Molding: Decide if you want to paint or wallpaper. Consider adding decorative molding or paneling to enhance architectural interest, especially if you want a classic or elegant look.
Furniture Choices: Think about upholstered pieces like sofas, chairs, or ottomans for comfort and softness. For non-upholstered options, consider tables, shelving units, or benches to add structure.
Accent Fabrics: Select fabrics for rugs, pillows, and curtains that work well with your color scheme.
Accessories: Choose wall art, mirrors, and tabletop decor that reflect your personality and add charm.
Plants: Add a couple of plants for a fresh, organic element. Choose types that fit the lighting conditions of your space or consider low-maintenance options if needed.
Lighting: Assess your lighting needs. Think about chandeliers for general lighting and table or floor lamps for cozy, task-specific light.
Here are some more resources to help you:
How to Decorate Your Home in 8 Simple Steps
Good, Better, Best:
Making Smart Choices on Furniture and Decor
SL’s "Good, Better, Best" approach to budgeting helps you know when to save money and when to spend a little more on furniture and decor. Below is a chart listing Good, Better, and Best home stores and prices. It shows what you can expect to pay for specific pieces at each level.
Shopping and Budget Guide:
Deciding What You Need to Buy
You won’t need to buy everything for your room—some items you already have can work perfectly. Start by listing what you do need, using our Shopping and Budgeting Guide. Next, use the Good, Better, Best List to find prices for each item. Add them up, and voila—there’s your budget!
Conclusion
Refreshing a room can be exciting and fun when you have a good plan and budget in place. By setting goals, making smart choices on what to buy, and using tools like the Good, Better, Best List, you’ll be able to create a space you love without spending too much. Remember, decorating is all about making the space feel right for you. Take your time, enjoy the process, and soon enough, you’ll have a beautiful new room to enjoy.
And if SL can assist you in any way, please CONTACT US.
Why I Need a Whole Room Refresh
Introduction: Redecorate Your Home with Ease
We understand that creating a practical, inviting space can feel overwhelming—especially when you're juggling a busy professional life. You want a home or office that's both beautiful and functional but managing the entire design process on your own can be time-consuming and stressful.
That's where Staged for Living comes in.
With our Whole Room Refresh service, we take care of everything for you—from initial planning to Install Day. You'll have the chance to share your vision and preferences, of course, but we'll handle all the details, so you can focus on, well, life.
What is a “Whole Room Refresh” Interior Decorating Service?
The Whole Room Refresh is a simple, start-to-finish decorating service.
After a free discovery call, we’ll meet for an in-home consultation and work together to shape your vision. SL handles everything, guiding you through the process easily, with no stress for you.
More about SL’s Whole Room Refresh
Why Should I Chose a Whole Room Refresh as an Interior Decorating Service?
Here are some benefits of hiring an SL to handle your whole room makeover, from planning to install:
Cohesive Look: A decorator ensures that everything—fixtures, furniture, colors, and accessories—fits together perfectly for a polished space.
Time-Saver: You won’t have to worry about planning, shopping, receiving, or installation. A decorator handles it all, so you can focus on other things.
Professional Know-How: We bring experience with design, layout, beauty, and function, helping you avoid mistakes and get the most function out of your space.
Personalized to You: A decorator works with you to create a design that reflects your style and needs, so the space really FEELS like you.
Budget-Friendly Solutions: Decorators help stretch your budget by finding quality pieces at the best prices and making sure you’re getting the most value.
Quick Transformation: By installing everything at once, you skip the long process of slowly updating and can enjoy your space right away.
Less Hassle: We take care of all the details, from start to finish, so you can avoid the stress and enjoy your space!
How Do I get Started with my Whole Room Refresh?
Contact Staged for Living: If you're interested in refreshing your space, head over to simplystagedforliving.com and fill out the CONTACT FORM to start the process.
Experience a Smooth Process: You'll answer questions about your style and preferences, have a discovery call, and set up an in-home consultation. We’ll work together on design ideas, and then you can sit back while we handle the rest.
Enjoy Your New Space: Once everything’s done, relax and enjoy your refreshed room—and start thinking about all the possibilities in the rest of your home.
You Can Easily Have a Beautifully Decorated, Functional Space
By the end of SL’s process, – usually about a month - you’ll have a gorgeous, fully finished room that reflects your style without the HASSLE. All you’ll need to do is ENJOY your transformed space.
As a busy professional, now you know there is a way to refresh your space AND let go of the overwhelm. With SL, you’ll have a guide with you every step of the way. You won’t be wasting time or money. You deserve a home or office that looks amazing and feels just right for you.
Fill out Staged for Living’s CONTACT FORM today and take the first step toward transforming your space. With our Whole Room Refresh, you’ll get a professionally designed room that reflects your style, fits your needs, and makes everyday living feel a little more special.
Related posts:
Is E Design the Perfect Interior Decorating Service for You? (Long-distance design? Yes, please.)
What to Expect When Choosing a Whole Room Refresh (Learn more about SL’s Whole Room Refresh interior decorating service.)
Are You Suited for Interior Decorating (Read about how SL got started in interior decorating.)
Is E Design the Perfect Interior Decorating Service for You?
Introduction: The Problem with Interior Decorating
As a busy professional, you want a beautiful, functional space, but managing the design process can feel overwhelming. For some, interior decorating seems intimidating, while others are limited by the lack of local interior decorators. Many simply don’t know where to begin or fear they don’t have the time to create the home or office they’ll love. But hold on! There’s a perfect solution available that addresses all these challenges.
What is interior decorating E Design?
At Staged for Living, we understand how difficult it can be to create the perfect space when life gets busy. That’s why we offer E Design, a fully virtual interior decorating service tailored to your needs. E Design allows us to provide professional interior decorating remotely, using today’s technology - computers and smartphones. We begin with a free discovery call to gather details about your project, then collaborate with you through text, email, Pinterest, Canva, and other online platforms to bring your vision to life. Sound interesting? It is and it’s fun, as well.
Why Should I Chose E Design as an interior decorating option?
There are so many benefits to E Design. Here are some of our favorites:
Convenience: E Design lets you work with an interior decorator from anywhere, without needing in-person meetings. You can communicate and plan at your convenience, fitting the process around your schedule.
Cost-Effective: Virtual services come at a lower cost than traditional in-person design services, allowing you to get professional assistance without the higher cost.
Flexibility: You have the freedom to implement the design at your own pace. There’s no rush to complete the project by a deadline, making it ideal for busy professionals.
Personalized Experience: Despite being virtual, E Design still offers a fully customized approach. You receive tailored designs, floor plans, and shopping lists based on your preferences.
Access to Professional Decorators: E Design removes geographic limits, giving you access to talented interior decorators, even if they aren’t local to your area.
Efficient Communication: Through emails, texts, and online platforms, communication is streamlined, allowing for quick feedback and adjustments throughout the decorating process.
Easy to Visualize: Digital mood boards, sketches, floor plans, and Canva projects help you visualize the outcome before any purchases are made, reducing the risk of costly mistakes.
How Do I get Started with E Design?
Like the idea so far? How can you learn more about this wonderful service?
1. Contact Staged for Living today to discuss your design goals! Visit our website at simplystagedforliving.com and fill out the contact form to get started.
2. Receive a custom design plan, complete with a mood board, color palette, floor plan, and shopping list.
3. Implement the design at your own pace, with ongoing support from our team.
You Can Easily Have a Beautifully Decorated, Functional Space
As a busy homeowner, you want a beautiful, functional space but don’t have time to manage the design process. Now you know there is a way to refresh your space and let go of the overwhelm. With Staged for Living, you’ll have a guide with you every step of the way. You won’t be wasting time or money. You deserve a home or office that looks amazing and feels just right for you.
Fill out SL’s contact form today and take the first step towards transforming your space with ease. By choosing Staged for Living E Design, you’ll have a professionally designed space that shows off your style, meets your needs, and elevates your everyday environment.
Enjoy the decorating process!
Related posts:
What to Expect When Hiring an Interior Decorator (learn about our Whole Room Refresh service)
Are You Suited for Interior Decorating (read about how I got into interior decorating)
What to Expect When Choosing a Whole Room Refresh
So, picture this: You've got this space that's screaming for a makeover. But you're stuck in a decorating rut, unsure where to start. Enter Staged for Living.
First Step: Questionnaire
LJ answered the ringing phone, greeted by a client, Mrs. K, on the other end seeking to revamp her son's bedroom as he transitioned into his teenage years. LJ, with enthusiasm and after a short chat, quickly sent her a comprehensive 20-question questionnaire via email. The questionnaire delved into the client’s budget, her son's preferences, desired timeline, and other details essential for crafting the perfect redesign. Once Mrs. K filled out and sent back the questionnaire, LJ was set to hop on a discovery call. They scheduled it for the next day. The purpose was to talk further about the project ahead and make sure they were on the same page.
Up Next: Discovery Call & Process Guide
Before diving into the discovery call, LJ made sure Mrs. K was well-informed by sending an informational packet. This packet outlined the Staged for Living decorating process with LJ as the decorator, provided details about pricing, and addressed frequently asked questions to ensure Mrs. K had all the necessary information upfront.
During the discovery call, LJ and Mrs. K got to know each other and the project better. LJ gathered as much information as possible so she could nail the design. They also scheduled the in-person Design Consultation for two days later.
Essential Step: Design Consultation
Two days later, Mrs. K warmly welcomed LJ into her home. LJ arrived prepared, lugging her tools and tote bag with her. Mrs. K led LJ to her son's room, where LJ immediately got to work. She measured, took photos, and made notes, ready to kickstart the transformation process. Before leaving, LJ peeked inside the son's closet to gain insight into his fashion preferences, understanding that this could offer clues for designing his room.
Design Details: Canva Project, Floorplan Design, & Furniture Layout
Back at home, LJ created a Canva project with all the new info she gathered. Armed with the measurements, she also dove into creating a room floorplan. LJ got down to business, placing the desired furniture pieces on the floorplan to figure out the best arrangement. She wanted to ensure everything fit just right for Mrs. K's son's new room.
More Design Details: Decor, Estimates, & Timelines
In addition, LJ started listing out all the essentials on a spreadsheet. From large furniture items to accent fabrics, accessories, plants, and lighting, she curated a comprehensive list to ensure every detail was accounted for in Mrs. K's son's bedroom redesign. LJ proceeded to estimate the cost of each piece and the overall project timeline. This detailed breakdown would provide Mrs. K with a clear understanding of expected expenses, ensuring transparency throughout the process.
With Mrs. K's son's preferences and the room's design in mind, LJ curated on Canva a collection of furniture and accessories that would not only complement the aesthetic but also create a user-friendly and personalized space reflective of his style.
Next Up: Wall Sketches, Design & Budget Approval
After selecting furniture and accessories, LJ proceeded to create wall sketches to present to Mrs. K for approval. These Canva sketches would provide a visual of the layout and design, allowing Mrs. K to provide feedback and make any necessary adjustments before the implementation phase.
The next day, with delight, LJ received Mrs. K's enthusiastic approval of the design and budget. With everything in place, LJ was ready to bring the vision to life and transform Mrs. K's son's bedroom into a space that perfectly captured his personality and style.
The Second-Best Part: Shopping for Furniture and Accessories
With excitement fueling her, LJ eagerly embarked on her favorite part of the process: shopping. Armed with her carefully curated list and design vision, LJ set out to find the perfect furniture, accessories, and decor items to bring the project to fruition.
After every item was thoughtfully gathered, right down to the lightbulbs, the much-anticipated Install Day finally arrived (almost two weeks later)! It was a moment of excitement for everyone involved!
It All Comes Together: Install Day
On Install Day, LJ wasted no time diving into action. She assembled furniture, hung curtains and art pieces, and placed carefully selected accessories throughout the room. With an eye for detail, LJ kept a list close by to note any additional tasks that needed attention later, ensuring that every aspect of the project was addressed.
The Very Best Part: Happy Clients
As the final touches were put in place and the room came together beautifully, Mrs. K, her son, and LJ couldn't contain their happiness. The finished product exceeded their expectations, leaving them delighted with the transformation. It was a true testament to LJ's dedication, resulting in a space that reflected the son's personality and style so well.
Sounds easy, right? And transparent. Staged for Living's ready to decorate your space, too! We're like your personal styling squad, with a side of fun. So, if your space needs a little makeover, contact us.
Related Content:
Is E Design the Perfect Interior Decorating Service for You?
Are You Suited for Interior Decorating?
Unique life stories are not unique. Everyone has one. The following won’t be my whole life story, just a small part of it. You’re welcome. :) As I look back on life, I know God used parts of my childhood to pave the way for me to have a career in interior decorating.
Creativity Consumes You.
As a child, I enjoyed many activities: dance, skiing, swimming, school, reading, playing, visiting, skating, and creating. Thankfully, my parents gave me ample opportunity to do these things regularly. Slowly, throughout my life, my pastimes involved more and more creativity.
You are Organized and Tidy.
I also loved organizing. Different, I know. My toys were normally neat and tidy. My room was the same. I used small boxes to separate the recesses of my drawers, so my little trinkets didn’t get mixed up with each other and I could find things I needed. My closet was usually organized with clothes carefully hung, shoes neatly lined up, and toys thoughtfully put away.
Crafting is Your Thing
At an early age, probably eight years old or so, my oldest sister, Geri, taught me to sew. We went to the fabric store, picked out a pattern, fabric, and all the notions, and she taught me to make an outfit. It was a Hawaiian tank top with matching shorts that tied. I can still imagine the navy background and bright floral material. I’m pretty sure she taught me to crochet, too. And my dad, of all people, made detailed scrapbooks which I imitated as I began to make my own. I was around a lot of creativity and beauty in my childhood.
You Love Houses and Decor.
The first house I really loved was our house in Houston. We moved there in 1979. It was a 3,000 square foot English traditional two-story built in 1978. It had beautiful crystal chandeliers in the foyer and dining rooms as you entered the front door. The living room had a tall cathedral ceiling with 2-story windows which always made us a little nervous when a hurricane blew through Houston. The banister was made of beautiful wood, and there was a gorgeous stone fireplace and hearth. My mom decorated our home minimalisticly with classic, tasteful décor that she didn’t change out often at all. Our house was kept clean and straightened, and it was comfortable. It was home.
You Decorated Your Own Space as a Child.
My room was upstairs beside Merrie’s, my sister two years older than I. I had dark wood, mid-century modern furniture which my mom bought at a garage sale down the street. I did not like that furniture at all. Why couldn’t I have the cute, white wicker furniture Merrie had? Since that wasn’t going to happen, I decided to paint my brown bed, dressers, and nightstand. As a young girl, what color paint do you think I picked? Yep! You guessed it! Pink. Not only pink, but Pepto Bismol pink. My parents must have been good sports! I now know that pink was not any better than dark brown wood, but at the time, I was happy with my project.
You Enjoy Planning and Executing Projects.
Years passed and it was time to prepare for college. Texas Tech University. My future roommate and I made a list of all the dorm essentials we’d need and split it up. We also decided to buy matching twin comforters, so our tiny dorm room looked a little cohesive.
You Love Color and Comfy Decor.
Our dorm room wasn’t the cutest on the floor, but it was pretty cute. Peach and other light colors filled our room with warmth. We had matching shams. Comfy throw pillows along with cozy throw blankets were thrown on the bed. We decorated our bulletin boards with peaches and creams to coordinate with the comforters. And added a rug and curtains. And a fridge. Every dorm room needs a fridge. Our shared dorm room became the hangout and I remember wondering if the colors we chose had anything to do with that.
Who knew that my creativity and love for beauty as a child would later draw me to interior decorating? Who knew that God was building a desire in me for creating calm, inviting interiors? At that time in my life, I had no idea.
Contact me for services. I’d love to work with you on a project!
28 College Dorm {Decor} Necessities
Is your sweet child/baby adult off to college soon? It’s such an exciting time in his life, but we must not forget the functional essentials, or it could be a disaster. Send your young adult off in comfort and style. Aff links.
Start with a super squishy mattress topper.
Add a waterproof mattress cover for those unfortunate coffee spills.
Don’t forget two sets of oh-so-soft sheets.
When one is washing the other is on the bed.
Add some style with a cute, cozy 100% cotton comforter and sheet set. A Bed-in-a-Bag.
Add some color and comfort with throw pillows.
Remember to add a super cozy blanket at the foot of the bed.
Your student will thank you.
What about this convenient bed shelf?
Your son will love the convenience.
Don’t forget these practically perfect pillows.
Your daughter will thank you later.
Two sets of towels should be sufficient for a clean college student.
These handy over-the-door hooks will add some extra storage.
This collapsible laundry basket will encourage your angel not to leave clothes on the floor.
This washable rug will warm up any cinderblock-laden, industrial room.
Want some extra seating? Try these adorable floor pillows.
Need a little extra storage in addition to your desk? This 3-tier organizer should do the trick.
These jumbo baskets hide clutter while looking great.
This clock will ensure your student doesn’t miss a minute of class.
This stylish lamp will shine bright in the wee hours.
Organize those highlighters with this desk organizer set.
Always find the right lipstick with this make-up organizer.
No fire allowed in the dorms? Try this candle warmer to make your room smell heavenly.
If your roommate snores, this USB rechargeable fan will muffle the sound while keeping you cool!
Remember to take in the beauty! Add some art to your walls.
Need more organization? Try this wall organizer bulletin board.
Double check how nice you look before class with this door mirror.
Don’t forget the Command Hooks. They stick to about anything without ruining the finish.
This shoe rack will organize those kicks in even the smallest closet.
Remember the blackout curtains so you can sleep in on the weekends.
Maybe the most important is the minifridge/freezer. Everyone needs brain food!
Affiliate links above.
If you would like help designing your students’ dorm room in Fort Worth, TX or anywhere in the country, contact us. Staged for Living would love to help in person or virtually!
What Responsibilities Do Interior Decorators Have?
Interior decorators study design and trends, meet with clients, estimate costs, write budgets, and plan clients’ spaces for functionality and coziness. (If you want to read more about that, check out my blog post entitled What do Interior Decorators Do?) As if this wasn’t enough, there are many more actions that we perform each day! What are they? Glad you asked!
Interior Decorators Create Original Designs.
Interior Decorators also create sample designs for clients so we can collaborate with them before actually doing any heavy lifting. We create virtual mood boards with carefully placed furniture and accessories we think clients may like. As we narrow choices, decorators select specific furniture and accessory pieces then draw designs of the room with these elements. That way, our clients can “see” the room before anything is purchased.
Interior Decorators Manage Purchasing & Billing.
We also manage purchases and billing. Sometimes clients will make their own purchases if it’s convenient for them. But usually, because it’s so convenient for the client, we take care of this for them. This way, decorators can pass on store discounts to our customers. This is a win for our clients!
Interior Decorators Create Beautiful, Functional, & Original Designs.
Lastly, we create aesthetically pleasing areas for our clients. When all the fun purchases come in, we supervise and help with installation of products. We place all the new belongings into the space and outfit the room(s) in the perfect design style the client has always dreamed of!
Hiring an interior decorator is worth the cost. It saves you time and money in the long run. Additionally, It is so wonderful to have someone in your corner doing the heavy lifting for you!
Contact Staged for Living if you would like some interior love in your home.
What Do Interior Decorators Do?
There are so many fun and exciting careers for adults to choose from. I’ve had two that I enjoyed so much! Teaching for er-hmm years was a huge blessing and a career which taught me maybe more than I taught my students. I practiced creating systems, homing in on discipline, life-long learning, and shoring my interpersonal skills. When deciding what I wanted for my empty nest years, I was able to transition so nicely into a career which uses all of the skills I learned for the many years I ran a classroom. Enter Interior Decorating.
Interior Decorators Study Design.
Interior decorators either study decorating at school or are self-taught. We read well-done decorating blogs, home magazines, and interior design books. Interior design books lay out time-tested rules for great design which decorators must follow until they are confident enough to break a few. Interior decorators also watch TV. Or YouTube. We watch design shows for fun and to glean creative ideas and learn current design trends.
Interior Decorators Meet with Clients.
Interior decorators meet with numerous clients. We meet up to better understand their needs for projects. Understanding their wants is just as important! Decorators communicate with customers to establish timelines for projects. Then we clearly show our design processes to our clients, so they know what to expect each step of the way.
Interior Decorators Estimate Costs and Time.
Interior Decorators similarly estimate project costs and create budgets for each project. We have established a pricing system that works for our company. This is either a per hour or per square foot price. I use both, depending on the project. Decorators also estimate the cost of the goods, like furniture and accessories, that we will purchase for the client. That way, the client is aware of the approximate total cost of the project before the work begins.
Interior Decorators Space Plan.
Finally, Interior decorators space plan to make rooms functional, comfortable, and coordinated. We use floorplan creating software to plan spaces. Sometimes even 3-D technology. This helps us and clients see what furniture fits in the space. We also know that thoroughfares are important and account for these in our planning so people can move through the room with ease. In addition, we help our customers choose flooring, paint, wallpaper, and architectural features, such as crown molding or wainscotting. We make sure that these elements work well, or “play nicely,” with each other. Next, we select furniture pieces. I usually select 4 or 5 sofas, for instance, and my client chooses her favorite based on price and other features. This helps customers battle decision fatigue.
Contact Staged for Living and let our interior decorators get started on your home project.
What is Interior Decorating?
It all begins with an idea.
After teaching all ages of children and homeschooling my own for er-hmm years, now when curious people ask me what I do, I get to say that I am an interior decorator. My “ACT TWO” as Dave Ramsey says.
Interior Decorating is Part Art & Part Math.
What is interior decorating? Interior decorating is part ART and part MATH. Funny because I always liked art. And I love math. Before the art begins, hours of math are spent. Measuring and space planning are vital to this profession.
Interior Decorators Keep Function and Beauty in Mind.
As an interior decorator, I address wants and needs. Having a tidy, well-run house pleases the soul but so does, say, a beautiful living room. Don’t we feel wonderful and even peaceful when we look at beauty? I get to help clients feel that in their spaces. And that is just fun!
Interior Decorators Communicate Well, Plan Designs, & Create Beauty.
There are also countless technical parts of my new career. Tons of them. Decorating starts with client communication. I must really understand what my clients need and want in their homes or workplaces. Then I measure spaces, create floorplans, research furniture, plan timelines, and make budgets. I sketch designs and create design boards with all my ideas. Then more communication. I ensure balanced décor and cohesive design. I hammer, paint, shop, carry, tape-off, and so much more! Art and math. Lots of Art. Much math.
Interior Decorating, My Act Two.
As much as I loved teaching, and I did, I still do, I am so thankful that I get to enjoy something else creative and oh-so-challenging. Act two has been a blast so far. I am so thankful for my new-found career in interior decorating and my wonderful clients who trust me.
Contact me to learn more and begin your interior project.
