5 Steps to a Successful Room Makeover

Posted by BULX.com

This morning, I was honored to appear on a quick spot for FOX28's Good Day Columbus morning show.  I didn't have enough time to share these five tips for a successful room makeover, so I've included an expanded explanation of the process below. I hope the viewers of FOX28, and all of our BULX members across the country, find these tips helpful.  And thanks again to Jill and her team for having me out and sharing BULX with the world.

5 Steps to a Successful Room Makeover

• Step #1: Start an Inspiration Board (or Folder)
  The most obvious places to look for redecorating ideas are in publications that specialize in kitchen, bedroom, living room, and bathroom makeovers.  But don't paint yourself into a box (pun intended).  Inspiration can come from anywhere (like here, or here, or here - for example).  Consider the mood you would like to create in your soon-to-be-remodeled room and then come up with a list of words or images that help evoke that emotion.  My favorite place to start is with a photograph I've taken myself. I will then pull colors, textures and styles from that photo to start compiling a list of paint swatches, fabrics, carpets, tiles and furniture styles that best represent my photo.

• Step #2: Set Your B.E.T. (Budget, Expectations, Timeline)
  Humans are historically bad estimators, which is why many projects take longer and cost more than we initially expect. (The Big Dig in Boston ran $10 billion dollars over budget and years past its estimated completion date!)  The more in-depth a project, the more you need to plan for unexpected problems and costs.  For this reason, it's always a good idea to set your:
  • Budget - Because most people don't know how much projects will cost, setting a maximum budget at the offset is a bad idea.  This method promotes spending the entire budget up front and allows no room for error. If (and when) unexpected issues arise, your well-intentioned budget is now shot. Keep in mind: the bigger the job, the greater chance for error.  My recommendation? Set your budget low (approximately half to three-quarters of your max) and commit to hitting that number.  If you don't run into any issues, use the leftover money to pick out something nice for the space!
  • Expectations - Remember this important point: things always get worse before they get better. The fastest way to get the best results is often to start from scratch. No, I don't mean tearing out the cabinets and removing all the drywall. But prep work such as moving furniture and de-cluttering a space will make a huge difference.  Don't expect to get everything done right away.
  • Timeline - Once you have set realistic expectations of the project, make an itemized "to-do" list and estimate how long you think each task is going to take.  Then multiply those times by two. Remember when we talked about  Experienced Once you have created your to-do list, put those items into a schedule.  Remember, things will almost always cost more and take more time, so build that in.  Similar to your budget, take

• Step #3: Work Big to Small
  Once you have a vision and a B.E.T., you are ready to get to work.  To avoid wasting time and energy, always remember to work "big to small."  Keeping a broad view on your project will prevent you from focusing on minute details before they become necessary. This rule applies to any stage of your makeover, whether you are painting a wall or picking out wallpaper. Remember: start with big ideas, and work your way down from there. For example:
  • Painting - Consider covering large areas with a roller before switching to brushes (trim).
  • Sanding  - Start with the coarsest grit sandpaper (60-100) before trading it in for the 800.
  • Decorating - Select your wall colors first, then move on to furniture, then fixtures, then artwork, etc.

• Step #4: Document Your Progress
  As nice as it is to sit around and sip lemonade while you admire your handiwork, most of the fun (and learning) happens along the way. So be sure to document your work by taking lots of pictures ("before", "after" and especially "during"), keep your notes and drawings, and write down any challenges you come across or lessons you learned.  If you're tech savvy, consider starting a blog to document your transformation. Not only is a blog a great way to track your progress, but it can become a great resource for other people who hope to do the same thing.

• Step #5: "Remember Ralph"
  Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American essayist and poet once wrote: "Every artist was first an amateur."  Simply put, you need to start somewhere - and sometime. So why not at home? And why not right now?
  • Commit to Start - Most of the anxiety about remodeling or redecorating comes from the fear of the unknown. But you'll find that once you've started - it's not nearly as scary (or as difficult) as you would imagine.  Which ties into my final point...
  • Get Your Hands Dirty - Don't be afraid to try new things, especially cosmetic fixes in your home. Paint is about the easiest way to test the waters, and a new color in a room can make a huge impact.  Remember, there is no right or wrong way to decorate.  Trust your own instincts and let them drive your design choices. The most important thing is that you end up with a space that you love in the end.

I can't wait to hear about all of the BULX Members who take these tips and transform one (or more) of the rooms in their home into a space they love. Which room do you plan on tackling today? I would love to hear your plans and see your progress, so leave a comment below.

Until next time,