How Much Does an Interior Designer Cost for New Construction

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We won't pretend renovations are cheap — they're not. The good news: You don't have to replace everything to make a space feel brand new again. We asked a few of our go-to designers what is the one thing they'd update if they wanted to refresh an entire room and spend little to no money. Let's just say, their ideas gave us some serious hope.

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Start With a New Color

This might be the most cost-effective solution to making a big impact for your dollar. "I just painted my living room blush after six years of egg-yolk yellow," says Annie Elliott of Annie Elliott Interiors. "Even with the same furniture and rug, the room has new life and went from energizing to cozy and soothing." Need inspiration? Try these colors designers swear by.

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Try a Different Layout

As long as you don't strain your back, moving furniture is fun, free and something most designers say makes a huge impact. "Putting your sofa or bed against a different wall makes you see the room in a whole new light," says Elliot. She also recommends stealing pieces from other rooms, like a side table or a chair.

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Update Your Tabletop

Believe it or not, your coffee table books and candles make a big impact on the overall vibe of your room. "I often take away all the accessories and replace them with items that may have been in another room, such as containers for plants, candlesticks and picture frames," says designer Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Proxmire, Inc..

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Change Up Your Throws

Pillows are a must-have if you want a cozy place to unwind after a long day (we're obsessed with lumbar ones). Even better: They're one of the easiest things to swap out. But you don't have to buy brand new ones: "I just change pillow fabric to change a room," says Proxmire. Slip covers for the win.

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Add Some Wallpaper

If you've never had this decorative element in your home before, you'll be surprised by how formal and chic it'll make your room feel. Marika Meyer of Marika Meyer Interiors says it can immediately change a room, even if you don't want to buy multiple rolls. "If walls are out of the question, think about the ceiling," she says.

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Give Walls a Purpose

Since walls take up the most space in any room, they're the real focal point. That's why Bee Heinemann, Interior Decorating Expert and Marketing Director for Vant Wall Panels, starts here. "D oing something unique, like adding bookcases or a themed photo wall, can have an enormous impact."

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Move Art Around

The first step? Take every piece down (mirrors included) and start by hanging the largest pieces first. "Pick them up and walk around your house with a friend to see where they might work," says Elliott. "If your largest painting has always hung over the sofa, maybe it's time to try a gallery wall instead." (P.S. Here's how to avoid nasty wall holes.)

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Invest in Statement Furniture

Updating a formal dining room can be super pricy. That's why Laura Neuman from PepperJack Interiors only spends on host chairs (a.k.a. the seats at the end of the table). "An of-the-moment fabric and chair silhouette will certainly transform the entire space," she says.

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Incorporate a New Pattern

Too many patterns can create a design that feels too busy, so Nicola Croughan, Interior Designer at Custom Curtains, recommends starting small: "Turn your attention to accent pieces such as wall art, lamp shades and rugs. All of these can be adapted simply and without parting with too much cash," she says.

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Buy Different Bedding

Since comforters are the focal point in the bedroom, all you have to do as swap out your duvet. "Donate the tired bedding you've held onto for way too many years and purchase something that inspires you — maybe something clean and white with a pop of you favorite color," says Amanda Cunningham of Room Resolutions.

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Slip on a Cover

If you've had your sofa or side chairs for years, this will give them a refresh without requiring a major investment. Plus, Christopher Grubb from Arch-Interiors Design Group, Inc. points out another perk: "They can be washed and dried." Meaning spills are suddenly way less scary.

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Try Colorful Frames

If you always find yourself buying solid wood or black frames, try a mixture of colors. Prefer silver picture holders? Mix in other metallics like copper and gold. "It brings new life to your existing pictures and you will see them in a whole new light," says Grubb. Or, you can skip frames altogether.

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Pick Out a New Rug

Since area rugs are literally the pieces that ground the room and are one of the first things people see when they enter a room, Thumbtack interior designer Joe Human and owner of Designs by Human says to start here. "Don't be scared to go bold on the floor!"

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Update Your Ceiling

Instead of painting all four walls, Mark Cutler of Mark Cutler Design says you'll make an even bigger impact if you stick to your ceiling. "It will dramatically change the way you experience the space, from the way color is perceived to the size of the room," he says. Yes, your ceilings really will feel taller (trust us, we know).

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Change Out Lamp Shades

This update will make an even greater impact once you flip the switch on (after all, atmosphere is everything to designers!). "Solid shades will shoot light only up and down, creating a deep, moody effect, and translucent shades will give you a lot more indirect, shadowless light that can make a room feel airy and light," says Cutler.

How Much Does an Interior Designer Cost for New Construction

Source: https://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/interior-designers/g4293/interior-designer-tricks-to-update-a-room/

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