Re-purpose what you already own

  Renovating and redecorating your home can be costly, but I'm here to share one of my favorite ways to freshen up your space without breaking the bank.  Re-purpose what you already own.

  Nowadays it is so easy to get rid of the old to make way for the new, but isn't it time to stop being a throw away society.  It's time to love what your already own.  I know sometimes you must replace the broken or worn out with a shiny new piece of furniture, but when you just need to freshen up the space then rework what is already sitting in your home.
  When redecorating your home begin by emptying the space of the pieces of furniture and décor your looking to replace.  Then decide on the style and mood you want your space to evoke.  Is it light and airy or warm and cozy.  Do you gravitate towards rustic and farmhouse or modern and chic?  Also, look to Pinterest and home décor magazines for inspiration.  

  Once you have decided on how you want your space to look and feel, walk through your house and see what furniture and décor you already own that can be given new life to create the space you desire.  Maybe instead of your foyer table being used in the entryway it will work perfectly has a narrow desk or bedside table in your bedroom and your dresser would make the perfect console table.  Keep in mind when looking at furniture pieces that sometimes a simple sanding and a fresh coat of paint or stain can make all the difference.  
  Not long ago I was redecorating my house and decided this old outdated fireplace mantel that was in our dining room needed a second chance at life before I tossed it to the curb.  I pried off the decorative pieces, gave it a fresh coat of white paint, and moved it into the living room where it has now become the focal point of the room.   All it took was seeing the potential in this tired piece of furniture and a little determination to make my space feel new and fresh again.  (See the fireplace transformation in my home renovation blog).

  Besides redoing furniture you can also freshen up a space simply by moving décor from one room to another or changing the placement of the décor in the room.  Maybe it's time to move the floor lamp from behind the couch to the other side of the room by the chair.  Or, maybe create a clutter free look on the bookshelves by removing the book covers and grouping them by color, or flipping the books around to show the pages.  You would be amazed how this little trick lightens up the space.  Just look at the before and after below.   I know it's a subtle difference but it feels lighter and more organized.

Before

After

  My other advice is to simply try it.  Move different pieces into your space.  Maybe they will work and maybe they won't but you won't ever know unless you try.  Also, sometimes you need to move a certain piece of furniture or décor into a particular room, leave it there, walk out of the room for a few minutes, then return and see how it makes you feel.  Do you still like that vase on that shelf?  Is that chair right for that corner of the room or was it better in the other room? 
  Often times I will move items from one room to another several times before making a commitment and there is nothing wrong with that.  Just put on your creative hat and get moving.  Try something new with something old.  You will be amazed at all the treasures you find laying around your house.