3 Ways to Renew the Environments

2025 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-24 13:28

Renovating an environment requires a good dose of creativity and skill. Fortunately, there are hundreds of blogs, magazines and books to keep up to date on trends in the field of interior design and architecture. Before proceeding with any change, to get a clear picture, draw up a cost estimate, document and sketch your project.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Part 1: Choosing the Furniture Style

Step 1. Before starting, choose the style

You can customize your furniture by taking inspiration from one of the following styles, or by mixing different furniture styles to create an original solution that suits your needs:

• Country. Both the French Provençal and American country genres involve the use of rustic furnishing accessories, mainly in natural or painted wood. The furniture and accessories are rough, but you could also opt for white, pastel colors or brighter reds.

  

• Minimalist. Unlike many other styles, the minimalist furniture is characterized by a clean space with linear shapes, without embellishments, decorations and friezes. Furniture for minimalist spaces must have pure geometric shapes and straight lines, such as a large, comfortable sofa or a Lucite reclaimed wood coffee table.

  

• Retro or vintage. If you want to be inspired by this style, you have to go to the flea markets or antiques in search of old furniture belonging to the period you prefer. Try the kitsch style of the 60s or the golden turn of the century "look". The older the period you are inspired by, the more expensive your vintage purchases will be.

  

• Contemporary. Mix some functional and comfortable accessories with the minimalist style. Pick a bright color to spice up the room, and turn a wall or two into an art display.

  

• World Chic. Choose rugs, bedspreads, vases and other Scandinavian, Asian, African or Indian complements. A room decorated in an ethnic style will appear full of charm in the eyes of your guests and will create a microcosm in which the memories of your travels will be enclosed.

  

• Sophisticated. If you like the classic style, then you will probably like white, black and gray alternating with some splashes of color. Use traditional lamps and well-finished fabrics for an exclusive touch.

  

Step 2. Research blogs, books and magazines that reflect your style

For example, the Abitare Country magazine is perfect for broadening one's horizons on country furniture, while design d’integno is a blog dedicated to lovers of contemporary design.

• Request the card from the local library and take a look at the furniture and design books. Libraries usually subscribe to national magazines such as Abitare Country or Abitare.

  

Step 3. Build a Pinterest page

Go to Pinterest.com and create an account. Make a bulletin board for each room in your home.

• Take a look at the pins in your furnishing style. If you're still undecided on which style to choose, looking at some decor pins and pinning what you like will help you better define your tastes.

  

Method 2 of 3: Part 2: Designing the New Furniture

Step 1. Establish your budget

If you have considered the idea of replacing furniture and carpets and painting the walls, reserve at least 1000 euros per room. If, on the other hand, you intend to limit yourself to superficial changes, you can stick to a lower budget, from 100 to 500 euros.

Step 2. Choose a furniture application

Thanks to your smartphone and tablet, you can discover a selection of applications that allow even beginners to design interiors and invent arrangements and furnishings. Here are some great home decor applications:

• Visit the Homestyler website if you want to renovate, replace the flooring, or change the layout of the walls. Go to homestyler.com.

  

• Download the 3D Room Designer application from Crate & Barrel, if you are in the furniture and furnishing sector in general.

  

• Download the free app from Better Homes and Gardens to check the arrangement of the furniture and to choose the colors.

  

Step 3. Make a list of the things you will need to purchase for the environment to be renovated

Write "budget" next to the items for which you want to reserve a minimum budget and "investment" next to the furniture, works of art and quality paintings for which you want to allocate more money.

Step 4. Use your cunning

If you like DIY, then embroider curtains, make custom pillows, or paint used furniture. You will save money and at the same time your furniture will look unique.

Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Follow a Decorating Plan

Step 1. First decide on the colors

There are some general rules to follow when choosing the color of the walls and ceiling.

• Choose pure white or dirty whites if you want the room to appear larger and brighter.

  

• Make a wall different from the others. If you want a wall to highlight a fireplace, a work of art or a piece of furniture, paint a single wall in a different color.

  

• Use wallpaper instead of paint if you want to make the room more lively. You can use wallpaper on a single wall or on all of them. Remember that covering all the walls can affect the perspective of the environment, which may seem smaller.

  

• Purchase a paint that contains fixative and mix the dye into the product. Although this system is more expensive, it lasts longer.

  

Step 2. Choose the flooring

Replacing the carpet or installing parquet / laminate flooring is a demanding job. Check with industry professionals to make sure the job is done right.

• Laminate flooring is similar to wood flooring, but it is much less expensive and easier to install.

  

• If you do not want to replace the parquet or carpet, a large carpet could radically change the appearance of the room. It would also help protect the floor in the most trampled areas.

  

• Go to a home improvement store like Leroy Merlin. Choose a rug you like and ask them to finish the edges. You will be able to customize your carpet with a minimal expense.

  

• Do not overdo it. If you have decided to paint the walls with a color other than white or if you have used wallpaper, you should choose a more neutral flooring.

  

Step 3. Buy the furniture

If possible, invest more time and money in the furniture you use the most, such as a sofa, armchair or dining room table. These can be 'investment pieces' that will add comfort and style to your room.

• Interior architecture and design magazine Dwell has a guide on how to choose the right sofa for your style. Go to Dwell.com and search for "buy a sofa".

  

• Buy small pieces like bedside tables, TV consoles and shelving from Ikea. You can always paint these pieces, to personalize the environment.

  

Step 4. Add an artistic touch

You can buy expensive paintings and have them framed, or you can make them yourself.

• Instead of buying a painting, find images that complement each other. Place them in vintage frames and then hang them all together on one wall.

  

• Use a decal or other decorative techniques instead of paintings. If you have to rent the house, a wallpaper would be more suitable. Apply it on a clean white wall.

  

• Leave some walls bare, and don't be afraid to hang multiple things on the same wall. All forms of art should give a tone to your environment and give the feeling that it is vast and bright.

Step 5. Choose the details

Pillows, curtains, ottomans, bottle holders and trinkets are the finishing touches. Use mirrored trays or hang mirrors on the wall if you want the room to seem larger.

• Add a floor lamp to create a soft mood light. You can find them at Ikea or at other interior design shops.
• Always fill your favorite vase with fresh or artificial flowers. Just like other furnishing elements, flower arrangements are good for any style of furniture.

Step 6. Start small and take it one step at a time

You can always add more. Renewal is a process that must be carried out over time, rather than in a single solution.