Anna Jacoby Interiors: Small changes make a difference

Small changes make a difference

Recently I redesigned a living room for a client who wanted to update her color scheme. She had a well-designed, color-coordinated room, but she felt that some of the colors were a bit dated. My redesign partner and I accomplished this task by shopping for items around her home and trading the artwork and accessories. In addition, we left her a short shopping list of new accessories she can buy to enhance her room's new look.

If you are tired of your room's color scheme, here are some tips for changing the room's look and feel:

Remove all accessories and artwork from your room so you can start with a clean slate. Some of the items will come back into the room, but those in the outdated colors will not. Be selective-- bring back only those things you absolutely love, or that support the new color scheme.
Tweak the furniture arrangement if necessary. How about placing the sofa in a new location?
For a new look, can you trade accent tables or chairs with those from another room? The dark wood coffee table from your family room might help to change the style of the living room from formal to casual.
Use artwork from another room to establish a new color scheme. For example, the seascape from the dining room can introduce sunset colors such as yellow, blue and orange into the room. Once you have chosen a new color to work with, repeat it several times in the room with accessories.
Sometimes a room needs more texture instead of color. Add texture to the room with a mix of materials like leather, wrought iron, wicker, carved or distressed wood, and metals.
Add greenery to the room, either with cuttings from your garden or with silk plants.
It's amazing how small changes can make a big difference. For example, a new lampshade can really update an old, tired lamp. Try a black lampshade for a really interesting look. Don't forget to remove the plastic wrapping from your new shade.
New throw pillows and throw blankets can instantly and inexpensively update a sofa. An unsightly sofa can be slipcovered.
Create a beautifully tranquil room with a neutral, monochromatic color scheme in earth tones. Your beige sofa and cream-colored chair can be paired with throw pillows in varying shades of tan and brown. Be sure to add texture to keep the room from looking boring. Include a splash of bright color somewhere in the room for added interest.
For a very dynamic look, try a high-contrast color scheme such as red, black and white.
I haven't even mentioned painting the walls yet, which is always a quick and inexpensive way to change the look of a room. If you don't want to paint the whole room, how about an accent wall? Or consider painting the inside of a bookcase or niche.

With a few small changes, you can have a new, updated room.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on Oct. 15, 2005.

Go back to the list of decorating columns.