Photos By: Amy Kartheiser Design

It is your personal space. Your place of peace. It is the place where you can be who you truly are. No need to watch your move, screen your words or live on someone else’s expectation. Your home is an extension of yourself. If people were to define you by place, it won’t be Paris, New York, Tokyo or Copenhagen, it would be your house. 

Since your place defines you; it is important that it’s design, space and décor is applicable to your personality and individuality. Apart from financial restraint, some people are having a hard time to find reasons to redecorate their house. To help you define an acceptable reason, here are some motives you can choose when you contemplating on redecorating your place.

Because it’s Something You Can Control

Many people are having a hard time to control things in their life. They want to change the attitude of their partner, the political stand of their friend or the stereotype of people about a country. People miss the point that they can’t take over this kind of things easily, one thing they can effortlessly control is their place. You can redecorate your place on your own accord. You are the sole person in of your place so no need to actually have reason, but because you just can. Go ahead and redecorate your place. Put your personal style. The previous owner may have put up a wall that divides your kitchen to your dining area but if you prefer an open space that will foster your spontaneous personality then go ahead and remove that wall and install a serving countertops instead.

You Just Moved

If you just moved to your place, there is probably still decore that has been left by the previous owner and tenant. That may keep you feel uncomfortable, so it’s time for you to put your mark on that house and truly call it your own. Paint the wall to your liking, install features you find interesting or buy furniture that has a purpose or meaning to you. This is the best time for you to redecorate and make that house an extension of your individuality. 

Consider It a Treat For Yourself

When I feel overwhelmed about something, I move around my furniture and redesign my living room. For some reason it is therapeutic for me, a way to release tension in my mind. Then there are times when I want to reward myself. I don’t buy a new phone, jewelry, or an expensive bag but what I do is make improvements at home. I renovated my dining area, installed new lights in my bedroom, and created a wall art in my living room. Recently, I upgraded my entertainment system by adding more viewing options on my tv. For me, it is a form of reward and investment. A reward for working hard at work and an investment for myself. A well-designed, cosy, inviting place is enough for me after long day. 

Good For You Mental Health

Redecorating your place can refresh your mind. Our lives can be demanding and sometimes we get overwhelmed by it. If you got to that point, I would suggest decorating your place. A redesign place gives you a refreshing sensation, a breath of fresh air. Your place is also a place of your inspiration. So don’t hesitate to redecorate your place, it will result to a newly inspired you as well. 

It Can Help You Declutter

I personally have a habit of putting everything on the table at the front door. This is common for people to do. Decorating your place, gives you an opportunity to declutter your place. Some of your knick knacks may be outdated or not useful. If you have a closet full of clothes you never wear or dated electronics, it’s time to declutter. You may even find that you are ready revamp your kitchen or living room.

Photo: Jessica Cain

Updating your decor is a big undertaking and requires a good amount of time and effort, there is painting, choosing design options, choosing fabrics, perhaps wallpapers, maybe even getting a new couch or dining table; whatever you decide, you need to make sure you are committed to the cause. So, when is it best to make the change?

How Much Change?

First of all, I think it’s important to point out that you don’t have to change it all. Re-decorating shouldn’t cost the Earth, and if you plan on redoing every inch of your house it very well might break the budget. Depending on what it is you’re trying to accomplish, sometimes just updating a colour scheme by painting or wallpapering the walls and reupholstering cushions can give your room the lift you want. More costly and intrusive revamps will include flooring and replacing furnishings and appliances, so figure out how much of a disturbance you are willing to accommodate.

Photo: Tradition Homes

Reupholster Rather Than Replace

If you have good quality chairs, armchairs and a couch, then don’t throw them on the street in the name of a décor update. Rather than replacing everything, just re-upholster it. Changing the fabric and replacing the innards of a couch can do wonders to its appearance, longevity and comfortability. Reupholstery also comes with the added freedom of choice there is in finding your ideal fabric.

Rather than searching for the couch that comes closest to what you really want – find an upholstery fabric from Wortley Group that matches your ideal vision for your design concept. That way, you can use the same fabric to upholster cushions or even curtains and drapes throughout your house, creating a unified design concept.

Quality is Key

If you have a limited budget, keep in mind that quality will always trump quantity. Use your funds wisely to repaint, reupholster, and replace the few items that really need it. Don’t get overexcited and buy cheap furnishings from a display room, using all of your budget for a quick interchange of designs. Quality furnishings will last much longer, keeping up an appearance of quality and style that you want.

Photo: Cullum Homes Design

Seasonal Switches

Quite often the best time for a change of décor is with the seasons. As you roll into summer, it might be time to give your home a light, breezy and bright lift to shift your mood out of the gloom from the cosy winter months and into the bright freedom of summer. Seasons are also a great time to change up your décor because you can put away all of those things that you only use in the winter months – like couch blankets and extra throw rugs, and liven everything up. Moving into summer is a great time to replace heavy fabrics and crowding colours, making way for yellows, oranges, greens, and an injection of plant life.

Whether you’re inspired by a season transition or an outdated style change, revamping the design scheme of your house can make you and your family feel renewed. You might even want to start a decorating den, and have season options ready to go that all fit in with the overall design scheme of your house. Whatever you do, just make sure to go for quality and to use your budget wisely. A little can go a very long way, and redecorating your home should be a pleasant experience, not an emotional and budget draining exercise.