Design 101:
My 3-Step Guide to a New Year's Refresh
Happy New Year!
Welcome to the brand new FRESH. BOLD. INSPIRED. a blog by Jennifer Polley Interiors
New Year’s Day has always been my favorite holiday…maybe a little weird, but true! I love the newness of it all - fresh starts and everything that comes with it. Ringing in a new year makes me want to shake things up - which explains why I chose today to start something new. INSPIRED is my version of a design data dump - advice and opinions, material selections, project concepts - a virtual peek behind the curtain, so to speak, all intended to inspire you to create a space that you love to call home.
I’m not alone in my eagerness for change. It’s this time of year that I get a lot of questions about how to refresh and restyle your living spaces. Coming off of the holiday high, so many of us need a design fix to propel us into spring. Fortunately, I have a few simple but effective tricks up my sleeve.
My Approach to Design
When a potential client reaches out to me, I always ask, “Why do you feel you need the help of an interior designer/decorator?” Most of the time the answer to that question gets right to the heart of the problem telling me the biggest problem we need to solve. When the answer comes back, “I like my furnishings and decor, but my house still feels [boring / lifeless/ uninspired].”, I know that one of these 3 items is likely the culprit:
Below I share my approach and pro tips for making the most of a space (kind of a “behind the scenes” peek at how I approach a home “refresh” consultation with my clients). Start here and I promise you will soon love your home again!
Step 1: Rethink Your Layout
The key to any successful room design is a functional layout. During any consultation when a client asks me for advice on refreshing or restyling a room, my first order of business is assessing the furniture arrangement.
Things to consider...
Is the arrangement conducive to the room's purpose?
Is there an obvious focal point or do I need to create one?
Is all of the furniture anchored to the walls?
In order to develop a functional furniture layout, you MUST give the room a purpose - decide what the room will be used for and who will be using it most of the time. That purpose, whether it is a family gathering space for watching TV and playing games or a formal space for entertaining guests, will guide you in determining your furniture placement.
If there is an obvious focal point (and it also suits the purpose of the room), work with it! A fireplace, a lovely view, or even a television wall are all common focal points that dictate how to arrange your room.
Of course, not all rooms want to cooperate. If the location of that obvious focal point, say a fireplace, does NOT suit the purpose of the room, you may need to “create” a primary focal point and let the fireplace play a supporting role. Many times this new focal point is the television, which is often the case in older homes or smaller open-plan layouts when there isn’t a separate family room or den.
Lastly, there is nothing more unwelcoming than a room with all of the furniture pushed against the walls. Although, there are exceptions to every rule, pull your furniture away from the walls if at all possible. This may be the single most impactful change to make your room feel more comfortable. A warm, inviting room, regardless of the design style, is a composition of layers. Anchoring the space with a rug, instead of the walls, gives you much more opportunity to create those layers with accent pieces, art, and accessories.
Pro Tips:
Ensure there is plenty of seating without overcrowding the room. Try mixing in different types of seating such as a bench or ottomans that can move to where you need them in the moment.
Pay close attention to how you enter and exit and move about the space. Do not block major traffic paths in and out of the room.
If space is limited, not all furniture has to “float” toward the middle of the room. Remember that pulling the furniture just a few inches away from the walls may be enough to give the space a fresh feel. An appropriately sized area rug can anchor the space.
Once you have a functional layout that works with the purpose of the room, create layers of interest with area rugs, accent furniture, art and accessories.
Step 2: Dress Your Windows
Do you have naked windows? If so, you may be missing a huge opportunity. Window coverings play a crucial role in making a house feel like a home. In addition to controlling light, providing privacy and offering insulation, they are major components in a well-planned and finished space that contribute to the overall ambiance and comfort of a space. This is also the perfect opportunity to inject your particular brand of charm! By choosing the appropriate style, color, and texture, you can create a space that reflects your personality and elevates the overall design.
As an interior designer evaluating a room for a redesign, I always assess function first, then aesthetics.
Things to consider...
Are the current window coverings appropriate in the space - do they offer the privacy and light control necessary?
Do the current window coverings function properly?
Do they convey the intended look for the room?
There is an entire world of options for your windows - everything from drapery (traversing and stationary), shades, blinds, shutters, etc. Honestly, it can be overwhelming. An experienced interior designer can help you sort it all out and prescribe the right solution.
Pro Tips:
For average-height walls (8-10 feet), hang draperies as close to the ceiling as possible - or just below the crown molding. This will maximize the height of the room and make the space feel more polished.
Remember that drapery hardware plays an important role, not only in style but in functionality.
Not every window needs to be covered with yards and yards of fabric. Sometimes a simple roman or roller shade is the right solution.
Even simple window treatments can involve a complex set of details to get right. When in doubt, call in a pro to design, measure, and install.
Bonus tip: Although there are differing opinions, your draperies (in most cases) should just “kiss” or hang ¼ to ½ inch above the floor.
Step 3: Evaluate Your Rug
An area rug isn't just a floor covering—it's a design statement that can truly transform your space. It can make a bold statement providing a jumping off point for a color scheme or quietly support other design elements in the room. If your current area rug is looking tired and worn out, consider giving it the boot and let a new one do some of the heavy lifting. You may prefer a vibrant, patterned rug or a sophisticated, neutral-toned one, either way, this simple switch can really liven up a room. It not only anchors the space but also adds a layer of texture, color, and warmth.
Things to consider...
Is the rug the right size for the room/furniture arrangement?
Does the design of the rug support the overall design vision?
Would a custom-shaped rug fit the room better?
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, function and performance are important. It won’t matter how beautiful the rug is if in six months it is matted and stained. When shopping, consider the rug’s fiber content. You will find an array of choices such as synthetics like polyester, nylon, and polypropylene and natural fibers like jute and wool. Each has its pros and cons regarding performance and visual appeal. See below for a down-and-dirty primer of the most common rug fibers:
Pro Tips:
Measure carefully and buy the appropriate size rug for the space. A too-small rug can actually make the space feel smaller and more cramped. (At a minimum, the front legs of major upholstered pieces should sit on the rug.)
Pay close attention to the rug’s fiber content. Knowing the properties of the different types will help you choose a rug that will not only look great but also perform well.
If you cannot find a pre-made rug that you love, consider having a custom rug made. Most carpet stores can fabricate custom sizes and edge finishes.
Don’t forget the rug pad! The correct pad will not only feel better underfoot but also prolong the life of the rug.
Did you find this information helpful? I genuinely hope it sparked some inspiration for your home refresh journey! Exciting things are on the horizon, so stay tuned for my upcoming 'Design Materials' series, where I'll unveil my top favorite material combinations, complete with all the delightful details. Plus, get an exclusive peek into my ongoing projects, shopping adventures, and some intriguing design dilemmas.
[…] a previous post, I talked about ways to refresh your space for the new year. I mentioned that when a potential client says that his/her space is uninspiring, it's often […]
[…] a previous post, I talked about ways to refresh your space for the new year. I mentioned that when a potential client says that his/her space is uninspiring, it's often […]