Organize + Energize: 7 Things to do Before You Redesign a Room

Organize + Energize: 7 Things to do Before You Redesign a Room

Have you ever redesigned a room and later hated it because it wasn’t what you thought it was going to be? If you put the time in to create a vision and plan how you want to function, you won’t regret this space! 

Here are 7 things you need to do before your redesign.

Declutter. There are 2 reasons you need to declutter this space. You can’t create a vision if there is clutter in the way. You also need to know which items you use on a regular basis. Get rid of anything that is no longer useful to you in this space. Think about what needs to live in this room and what needs to get transferred elsewhere. After you declutter, take inventory of what’s left in the space.

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Create your vision. Pinterest and Houzz.com are great for inspiration, but remember to just use these pictures as a guide. Don’t try to recreate the space because you love the way it looks. It may not be practical or functional for your space. If you like a design, tweak it to make it work for you. 

Functionality. Think about how you function. Jot down what’s working and what isn’t.  How do you want to grab items? Which items do you frequently use? How do you want to maneuver in your space? If other people are using this room, check with them to see how they want to function. 

Measure your space. You may think that you have more space than you actually do. Be sure to measure the entire room. Once you measure the space, think about the best way you can maximize that space. 

Storage solutions. Look at what you have to store and then search for organizing solutions that will match what you need to hold. Don’t purchase a piece because you thought it looked great online or in a store.  Use your space measurements, look at all your options and choose the piece that will maximize space and help you become more efficient.  

Map out your space. Take your piece of paper with all of your notes and now it’s time to map out the room. Cut out pieces of paper to match the furniture and move it around on the map to get a feel of the best way possible to make it work. 

Less is more. You don’t want to clutter up your space with too much furniture. You want to have a great flow to your space and allow positive energy to enter. Many people feel they need to fill every inch of space in a room. Leave some room for a plant or decorative piece. 

Don’t rush through this process. Make your list and then leave it for a couple of days. Go back to the list and see if it still matches your visions. Taking your time, planning and preparing will set you up for success!

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, is an organizing & efficiency expert and owner of Organizing in RI. Kristin teaches her clients that living an organized lifestyle will save them time and money, decrease their stress levels and help them become more efficient and productive. Her articles have been published in local and national magazines. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to begin. She is also available for organizing workshops.