Kenmore

Furniture facts

Edit, edit, edit! Start by removing anything you don't love. A room with a few treasured pieces is better than one packed with furniture you don't care for.

It's easier to move furniture first on paper, so draw a room plan after you've measured each piece. When you're ready, start with an empty room, adding in furniture one piece at a time. It's about balance and form, harmony and beauty. And don't forget to have fun in the process!

Your furniture isn't concrete, and its place in your room shouldn't be set in stone either. That's why my favorite fast makeover is rearranging the furniture. It gives a room new personality. Try moving all pieces from one side of the room to the other, or angle a piece for a new perspective.

Relationships are forever; furniture and accessories are not. Don't be afraid to update dated pieces with new fabric or a fresh coat of paint. Change hardware, add trim or try tassels.

Find more of my tips in Design Preview 2009.

Have it on hand

I always keep a stash of decorative papers on hand to use as backgrounds for framed photos. I also keep several throw pillows of varying colors, styles and patterns tucked away in a closet. Fresh pillows easily change up the seasonal look.

Arts & crafts

Get your kids in on the fun by encouraging them to customize lampshades. Try cutting decorative paper to fit over a glass hurricane vase. Kids can paint details on the paper with stencils or cookie cutters, giving your room handcrafted appeal.

Cast away clutter

Clearing away clutter is the best way to make your home feel fresh. Start with the master bedroom. It's the last place you see every day, so it should feel calm and serene. After you tackle the bedroom, do the kitchen. Removing countertop clutter and unused kitchen tools will streamline the way you cook and clean. Organize your life with my storage solutions - read the article.

Add some shimmer

Add some shine to the paint job in your favorite room. Use painter's tape to create large horizontal or vertical stripes over the walls. If you have time to complete the job in one day, paint all of the taped areas with a clear gloss finish and let dry. If your time is limited, tackle two or three stripes a day; by the end of the week, you'll have a tonal striped finish on the walls, but your furniture and accessories will still match.

Mix, don't match

Got a few extra bucks and a couple of days? Replace a dated white appliance with a colorful new model. You'll instantly gain a colorful focal point for the room. Or, update your dining room with non-matching chairs to use with your current dining table (check the rooms in your home for possible options). A mix offers a comfortable, casual alternative to a matched set.

Next: Do it yourself