10 Steps for Cosmetic Change in Your Home
An early 1900s home gets some inexpensive cosmetic changes. Learn how cosmetic changes can make a world of difference to the interior design of a room. Read our list of ten cosmetic changes you can do in your home.
Making Cosmetic Interior Design Changes
In the world of renovations and new homes, an older home could have more structural issues than you bargained for. However, looking at a space for the first time with the current owner's belongings and décor can make it difficult to see the potential. The question becomes, what could the space look like with cosmetic changes and your own furnishings?
The Changes To This Home
This early 1900s home was the original family home in which the current owner was born. That meant personal items spread throughout, and the home was not staged for sale. However, John and Kim, a young professional couple could see the potential. With some physical and structural changes and could envision what space could remain when they purchased the home, it being their first.
The family room was used primarily for relaxing and watching TV. A bar and a gas stove in the room were updated before the purchase. Although cozy, the space needed some updates and minor cosmetic changes. Once the room was emptied and the owners moved out of the house, it was easier for the new homeowners to have a vision for the family room space to design in their own style.
The first change to the room was the paint color. The original color was a sunflower yellow. The floor was an oak wood laminate, and the room was filled with a lot of clutter. The wall color chosen for the transformation was Benjamin Moore Cement Gray. A light and neutral color that would transform the look of the room. The ceiling beams were painted in Sherwin Williams Peppercorn to contrast the lighter walls and wood ceilings.
The trim was painted white to give a clean, fresh finish. The floor was replaced with reclaimed wood in a driftwood finish. The copper light fixture, custom designed by the previous homeowner, remained as the couple thought it was unique and added the appropriate scale for the cathedral ceiling in the space.
For the fun and final furnishings for the new space, the couple chose a wall-length sectional couch in neutral linen with contrasting graphite color pillows. An existing pink iron coffee table was transformed and painted in Peppercorn and placed over a cowhide area rug to complete and ground the seating area. Even the current gas stove in the room looked new again once the transformation was complete.
10 Steps to Execute A Cosmetic Room Change
Totally empty the room of all furniture and accessories
Replace the floor if needed to update
Paint the walls a fresh new color throughout the space
Paint trim white for a clean contrast
Create a furniture placement floor plan to shop with
Shop for furniture that will fit the space
Change out old blinds to soft shades
Soften the space with fabric side panels
Add a unique conversation piece such as an area rug to ground the space
Paint accent furniture to give a new fresh look
About Debbe Daley
Debbe Daley is New England’s leading interior design expert in the fields of design, decorating and styling of interior spaces. She is a professional speaker, educator, influencer and business coach in the field of interior design. She also educates creative interior design and home decor enthusiasts and change-of-career-minded individuals at her School of Interiors through courses, mentoring and hands-on training. Debbe is currently an installed Design Services member for the Boston Design Center.
Contact Debbe at ddaley@daleydesigns.com or (978) 697-0288.
