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.