Do you have a room in your home that you are “over,” but aren’t really sure what’s wrong with it? Often when people are restless to redo a room and can’t put their finger on the problem they attack it with a new wall color. But more often than not, they find it wasn’t the color that was bugging them after all.

Here are a few underlying reasons why your space may be cramping your style.

Problem #1: Poor Spatial Planning

For your room to function optimally, there is no substitute for a carefully thought-out floor plan. And unfortunately, a new can or two of paint can’t change the flow of a space. To see a major difference in how it can be best utilized, you’ve gotta transform the layout.

The good news here is you may not have to put out a major investment in furniture to make a major improvement - at least not right away!

Try moving the pieces you already have into an arrangement that addresses the focal point of the room, and allows for at least a 3-foot path for traffic flow from door openings through the room.

In a conversation area, keep seating distances within 8 feet to allow for “shouting distance!”

Problem #2: Dysfunctional Furnishings

There are three conditions about the furnishings in the room that will determine whether they are functional or dysfunctional in a room.

Every piece should have a purpose

If something is in your space because you couldn’t figure out where else to put it, you might consider letting it go. I hate to be so hard-nosed here. But usually, a piece that is taking up space without knowing why looks like clutter. If it doesn’t seat someone comfortably, hold their drink, light their book, or provide a workspace or storage for the activity of that room, it’s time to say a fond farewell.

Every piece should be the proper scale

Seating heights should be within an inch or two of one another. The height of a coffee table should be very close to that height as well, and two-thirds the length of the largest seating piece. Side tables should be within an inch or two of the arms of the seating piece they are next two. Keep nightstands within an inch or two of the height of the bed’s mattress.

Every piece should contribute to the cohesion of the design

By repeating colors, patterns, and motifs you will bring a unifying effect to a space. Everything will look like it belongs to each other.

I have found the easiest way to create a color story for a space is to start with a piece of artwork and pull two or three hues from there. Other designers will start with the rug or decorative pillows as their inspiration.

Whatever you do, don’t start with a can of paint! Select your paint color based on your predetermined color story :)

Problem #3: Mediocre (at Best) Materials

If you have yellowed linoleum on the floor, a new color on the walls can’t fix that. Upgrading those permanent finishes is a better guarantee that you will be happier with your space. Permanent finishes are anything you can’t easily move: counters, flooring, fireplace surround, ceiling and wall texture, etc.

Put your time and effort into replacing fading finishes with as high-quality material as you can afford. Make sure those finishes are low maintenance and high performance to make your investment pay for itself.

If you are unhappy with a room but unable to figure out why, don’t automatically run to the paint store. It may seem like a quick fix, but nobody wants to do something like that over again if they can help it.

Start by rearranging the layout of the room and purging what isn’t bringing purposefulness, joy, or cohesion to the space. Then take a look at your finishes to see what may be dragging you down. Let the walls seal the deal after you’ve made these determinations and come up with a color story and a plan. You’ll get quick results this way and be happier in the long run!

If you would like some support designing your perfect, happy home, we would love to help. Reach out and let's get to know each other.

Warmly,