Completely redesigning the whole house can seem a huge challenge and can be too daunting for some people. But, at the same time, it is an exciting opportunity to create a home that reflects your personality and represents exactly the style you want to project.
Refurbishing and redecorating individual rooms can mean that you only focus on one room at a time in terms of the style and colour scheme. The result may be a clash of styles and a series of rooms that are not co-ordinated at all. A complete redesign, however, gives you the chance to consider the house as a whole and to create a style that flows through the whole property. This is an opportunity that won’t come around often so you need to make sure you make the most of it.
Visualise and Plan the overall Layout and Appearance
Taking a whole-house approach means you can have a step-by-step process for the project:
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Decide what you like about the current layout and décor as well as what you really dislike. There may be personal items you want to retain and features you really want to get rid of.
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Plan the various spaces so that you make the best use of them and the flow between them. This may require the removal of walls to create open-plan areas or the segregation of large rooms into different parts — for relaxation, for socialising or for work purposes, for example.
Get the balance right so that small rooms aren’t crammed with furniture and large rooms aren’t sparsely furnished. Don’t acquire furniture that’s too big or too small for the space it’s in and try to achieve the right balance without being too symmetrical.
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Determine the style you want, which may be traditional or modern, formal or casual. This may vary between different rooms but you don’t want too big a clash of styles in adjoining rooms.
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Create a colour scheme that works throughout the house. This doesn’t mean you must have the same colours or shades in every room but you want to achieve a smooth transition between rooms rather than a disjointed feel.
To make sure everything works well, don’t just select from colour charts and then buy your paint and wallpaper. Instead, get paint sample pots to try on the walls, painting a large enough area to get a clear idea. Also, tape wallpaper samples to walls so you can see the match. Colours will look different in natural and artificial light so check the effect at various times of the day.
It’s sometimes best to start with floor coverings and then choose wall colours, curtains and other items to match. Plain or patterned carpets will have a huge effect on your choice.
Correct Treatments for Different Areas
Each room has a different purpose and that will affect your design plans:
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Living and dining rooms are where you relax and socialise so they need to be warm, welcoming and comfortable
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Bedrooms are for relaxing and need to create an ambience that helps you wind down for a good night’s sleep
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Kitchens and bathrooms are functional spaces that need to be practical and able to resist knocks, humidity and spills. Tiled countertops, walls and floors are often the best choices because they’re easy to keep clean and looking good.
Seek inspiration from brochures, websites and showrooms as well as from rooms you’ve experienced. Bear in mind, however, that it is your home and needs to reflect your own lifestyle and preferences. As long as it does this and is practical and good-looking, everything will be fine.
Whether you’re working on a personal project, or shopping for clients, commercial or trade accounts, let Stone & Tile Studio (leading tiles in Brisbane), supply you with everything you need to make the right decision. Visit us today!
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