8 SIGNS IT IS TIME TO REDESIGN

By CLARICE SMYTH

This and other posts on this website contain affiliate links. Know that if you choose to purchase via any affiliate link on this website it does NOT add any additional cost to your purchases. Thank you for your support

8 SIGNS IT IS TIME TO REDESIGN YOUR HOME

Redesign Your Home To Function For You and Your Family

I share 8 signs that it may be time to redesign your home in a way that will empower you to design your life and some helpful suggested solutions. How do you know when it’s time for a redesign?

Redesign can be moving furniture around within a single room or throughout the entire home or taking on completely new design philosophy. This is what we are going to talk about today.

You Home Can Trigger Negative Emotions

Your home environment can trigger negative emotions, watch the video to find out how.

For clarification, Redesign is when you alter an existing thing in a way that affects its appearance, function, or content. (Oxford Dictionary)

It’s the action or process to Design (something) again in a different way

Take for example when the elegant wedding dress skirt is redesigned into the outer skirt of a bassinet cover, when a worn t-shirt is redesigned into useful cleaning rags, or when the cellphone was redesigned multiple times evolving from The-Brick (April 3, 1973) to the Androids and iPhones we have today (June 7, 2007 – & present) . These are examples of Redesign.

Your home environment can trigger negative emotions, watch the video to find out how.

For clarification, Redesign is when you alter an existing thing in a way that affects its appearance, function, or content. (Oxford Dictionary)

It’s the action or process to Design (something) again in a different way

But what does redesign mean within the home environment? What does it mean personally to each of us? This is not easily “defined” because it can involve vastly different processes, person to person, and produces a wide spectrum of results.

Redesign can be moving furniture around within a single room or throughout the entire home. It can involve taking away pieces that no longer serve or appeal to us. It can, also, be adding new pieces that will serve our needs better than the ones we have currently. It can be changing the drapes and cushions or the entire style of a space. It can even be taking on a completely new philosophy in the way we intend to live our lives. Think evolving from French country to Contemporary or Maximalism to Minimalism.

Mindset and patience are the first and best tools to embody.

We live in an era that tells us that we can have everything in an instant. We are told we have no attention span. Therefore, we don’t have or think we are incapable of developing the ability to become patient.

I DO NOT believe this. I am capable of spending way too much time on the finite detail of a design, my business, or my dream. Others do as well.

If something is a priority you will dig in your heels and make it happen. This is no different.

Those who proclaim no ability for mindset and patience have survived recent times as have those that claim to embody an abundance of these qualities.

For the best re-design results prepare your mindset and embrace patience because you need a plan.

You will discover what Redesign looks like for you as you think, plan, execute, and go through the process.

So when do we know it’s TIME to Redesign. When is it time to commit and do the hard, in-depth work required to make the changes that will transform how we interact within our spaces and improve how our spaces can serve us better? That is our focus today.

If you are simply switching out your cushions and throws you may not need this video. But, I encourage you to listen to the end because you may find the uncontrollable inspiration to redesign your home.

1. Your space is looking a bit too tired:

The space may be looking dated such as the – sofa, art, cushions, decor pieces, – are worn, stained, or faded. Maybe Your look can be categorized only as 19-something-ish.

SOLUTION: This space can be given a little refresh by updating the throws, cushions, drapes, art, decor pieces, and slipcovers. It’s an affordable way to bring new life into a dated space because you can find and choose items within your budget.

This is the most common reason for a redesign we hear discussed mainly because it’s one of the easiest to address.

But it is not the only reason as we will discover throughout this video.

2. Your space no longer inspires you:

You find you are not focusing any attention on your space. You aren’t adding new touches to the rooms like flowers, scents, or small decor items. Also, you can no longer define your style. You intentionally ignore the idea that it even needs a redesign altogether.

SOLUTION: When you are no longer inspired by your surroundings it is best to NOT ignore that fact… but instead think of it differently. Set aside time (even if you are only willing to do it one time for 15 Minutes and that’s it!) and think about what your barriers might be. Is it overwhelming the process? Is it not knowing or having ideas for what you want the space to look like? Is it budget? Is it your health? Is it a lack of someone to help with the heavy lifting? So many factors can impact how we relate to our environment. Once you have identified your perceived issues or obstacles… Now you have something you can move forward with, executing a plan successfully over time.

3. You do not like spending time in the space:

You do things in all the wrong places. You do your work at the kitchen table, not because you enjoy it, but because your desk area isn’t working for you anymore or there is no dedicated desk area. You eat on the couch because the table is piled full or inconvenient. You do your makeup out the window or in your car because you can’t trust the results of using your bathroom vanity which is always dark and cluttered.

SOLUTION: When you find you do not use areas/spaces/zones for what they were intended – then they were designed wrong – for you. A sign – loud and clear – is when nothing functions as intended and you are constantly having to adapt yourself in order to function within the space to meet your needs. (That is a big RED FLAG) Monitor your habits, how you actually complete necessary tasks, and where you carry these activities out most successfully. Then create a plan and make changes accordingly. Create a dining table that is functional for sharing a meal. Setup your desk space so it allows you to pay the bills or write that novel. Redesign your vanity area and add new lighting so you can do your makeup and walk out with the results that support your confidence.

4. The smallest task seems like a chore:

This relates to the previous one a little. You aren’t cleaning the space as often as you used to clean. It’s when you literally detest the effort it takes to keep your space presentable much less stylish. Why dust – it will just get dusty again? Why mop the floors, the kids and dogs will just track in dirt and drool all over it? Why do anything, it won’t last and you don’t like your space anyway.

This is not laziness, by the way, this is the lack of joy and pride in your environment. It’s not the lack of money, clean costs very little, it is just a lack of motivation. We need the motivation to get stuff done. I’m not talking about having cheerleaders on the sideline every time you whip out the duster, I’m talking about creating a space and life you love so much that it motivates you. Motivation is what loving the design of your space gives you.

SOLUTION: When every task is a chore there is definitely room for improvement. Beyond implementing all the design tips we are talking about today, there is also a need to create home systems and put them into place.

Consider where and what the issues are, the current systems being used to deal with the issue, and how to change or create new systems that work best. A great system is one that you will actually use. It will take time and practice but it is possible to make small changes and see big results.

5. You are constantly frustrated while interacting within the space:

Let’s say you have in mind to do this certain thing- it may be to relax, to craft, get some work done on your special project and then….. You realized how much effort it will take to locate, prepare, set up the space, and find all of the materials for the said thing. You sigh in defeat and move on to plan B, C, or D. or just go have more coffee.

SOLUTION: Frustration always equals feeling a lack of control. It may be the feeling of lack of control over where you live, your space, or the other people that occupy it. One of several options will need to change to regain that sense of calm. You will need to accept the setup and cleanup requirements in order to continue all of your interests status quo. You will need to edit your interests to be executed in your current space. You will need to redesign the space to support all of your interests. It is that simple and that hard.

As someone who loves learning new skills, I know the difficulty in having to choose between interests. It can be freeing to finally admit when something just isn’t right for you, even when you have already bought every supply made to create it. Admit that your joy lay in learning the skill/craft and not in the doing of the skill/craft… Sell or pass the supplies on to someone else to enjoy.

You will not recoup the cost of the supplies by allowing them to clutter your space and breed negative feelings. Ask yourself: Am I actually going to do this hobby/craft/activity? If Yes, When – set recurring day/time -no vague someday allowed? If No, give it away, sell it, or donate it?

After you have edited your supplies, integrate storage appropriate for your hobby/craft needs. This will look different from person to person.

6. There is tension or strife when you engage as a family within the space:

It’s family night. You have the drinks, popcorn, and pizza handled. The movie is rented and ready to start. Gosh, you love family nights in at the movies. Or at least you love them until the kids start fighting over who gets the chair and who gets stuck on the floor. Perhaps a struggle over who hogs the sofa because it’s too small to seat everyone

SOLUTION: The furniture you select and the seating arrangement you place it in equals how well it will function for your household. Make furniture choices based on your household needs and how you actually live. Having petite furniture and robust teenagers is generally not a good fit. Choosing a two-seat sofa and two club chairs will not be conducive to large gatherings as maybe an L-shape or U-shape sectional or a long sofa and two generously proportioned chairs. Observe what is not working and make appropriate changes in the furnishing to correct it. Every decision, while stylish, needs to be functional. Determine what your needs are and what will actually work for your family before you worry about the style, color, pattern, or details.

7. You feel overwhelmed:

You want and need change, but you dread even the idea of what it will take to accomplish your desired end result. You don’t know where to start and a complete redesign seems overwhelming. Perhaps it’s not one room or even two – but the entire home. (Possibly including the exterior.)

SOLUTION: Any design project can seem overwhelming when you are not prepared. To retain sanity, realize – be prepared that it will take longer, require more effort than you thought, and may cost more than you anticipated.

Know you will experience emotional moments, as you progress, that is negative. Having a predetermined plan can help to deal with those times. Perhaps it is to step away for a cup of coffee or tea. Perhaps it is to take a load to donation to give yourself a few minutes to decompress. Also, There will be positive moments when you have completed a task or a room, or just a corner of a room and you feel good about it – FOCUS on those.

Preparation is the key to accomplishing your projects in a straightforward method and with some sense of control. This is a high-level view. I go into great detail with my clients but it’s impossible to cover it all here. A DIY plan can be as simple as setting a goal for your home redesign. Make a plan for each room. Create a schedule for each room, or at least as you prepare to tackle them. Include a start date and length of time to be completed. Break the tasks down into steps and create a materials list for anything you must have to complete them. If you have someone else helping you then agree on the date and schedule it in your calendar. Make all your trips for supplies to your favorite Home Depot or hardware store and gather everything you need before the project date. Have a plan for disposal or storage of the items you will be removed from the space. An action plan is vital to keep the released items from being returned to your newly decluttered space. (Released items are more appropriate because No one is taking them away from you, you are willingly letting go.)

8. You have a visceral reaction whenever you engage with the space:

You walk in after time away. Maybe you’ve been on vacation or just to work. …. Suddenly your chest tightens, you feel your face flush, pressure builds in your temples, and you want to scream cry. The emotional pressure has crossed the line and become physical.

When this happens it is a wake-up call. It is your inner warning signal telling you times up and something has got to change – now. We experience frustration when we feel a lack of control. Extreme frustration can cause a visceral reaction that is rooted in our nervous system and not in our intellect. In this instance, it is an unconscious physical reaction to the current state of your space, and not you just suddenly decide you have had enough.

When a space is frustrating you to the point that it elicits a strong physical response it is way WAY WAY WAY PAST DUE for a redesign – possibly more.

SOLUTION: Take a deep breath and find your happy place ASAP. Regain control, without losing your determination, and get to planning. Every solution begins with a plan. Assess what needs to be done. Determine what needs to happen and in what order. Make a schedule and map it all out in achievable steps. To resolute that you will clean and organize your entire home in one weekend is, most likely, not realistic and will invite frustration to repeatedly rear its ugly head. To reclaim your space, while maintaining maximum calm, approach it by the room or by layers. By room is, obviously, when you tackle one room at a time and complete it from start to finish. Layers are where you choose what needs to happen first and address that category throughout the house. For example Layer one, remove known things broken/damaged to be trashed. Layer two: Remove and donate all known unwanted things that no longer work for your family or space….and so on. There are pros and cons to each method but those will vary from person to person.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

CONCLUSION

If you are looking to design your own space, schedule

your complimentary call with me, I would love to work with you to create your next design project. I offer design services locally and via virtual to other locations.

What are the challenges or struggles that trigger an emotional response from you? What have you done to make them better?

Be sure and leave your thoughts in the comments below. If you found this post helpful or entertaining PLEASE share it on your socials.

Check back often. It is my passion to Empower You To Design Your Life.

Thank You for spending your time with me. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart.