Style guide

What are the steps to redecorating a room?

Do you like the idea of redecorating a room in your home, maybe your living room or bedroom, but haven’t done anything about it yet because you aren’t 100% sure where to start? My article talks you through what’s involved, step by step.

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Where do I start when decorating my house?


It’s easy to feel overwhelmed if you’re planning on renovating your entire house because there are so many different rooms to factor in, and that’s without even thinking about your outdoor space.


You may find yourself wondering, which room should I start in?


What theme do I want each room to have?


Or do I want one single theme to flow throughout the house?


E.g. neutralsurban loft design or Spanifornia?  


When you’re feeling overwhelmed about things in your life, the best thing you can do is tackle things section-by-section, right?


The same principle applies to decorating too; taking things room-by-room makes it far more manageable.


Clean and declutter your home 



The ‘rules’ for decorating aren’t set in stone, but most of the advice that’s out there will tell you that one of the best places to start with it all is by having a good clear out and clean so that you have a clutter-free, clean canvas to work with.


Think about these key considerations



  • Once those cleaning and clearing fundamentals are out of the way, then you can start to ask yourself some key questions, which will help shape your home transformation vision:
  • What do like about your home décor-wise?
  • What aren’t you that keen on? 
  • How do you want it to feel? E.g. calm and serene, vibrant and fun, neutral and welcoming
  • How do you use all of the areas within your home?
  • Which rooms do you use the most?
  • Who uses each of your rooms the most? E.g. kids versus adults
  • Are there certain must-stay features you have to work around, such as windows and fireplaces? 

Which designs/styles do you particularly like?


Gather inspiration from social, magazines, TV shows, in-store displays and when you’re out and about (e.g. in restaurants, pubs, hotels, spas, salons etc.)


Make sure you’re ultimately clear on what you: 



  • Want from your new-look home
  • Want to avoid
  • Won’t be changing, but still need to factor in

What are the steps to redecorating a room?


Research conducted on my behalf into common home decorating tactics has revealed that the typical renovation journey is made up of three main steps:


Step 1: Decide the overall aesthetic


The aesthetic sets the overall ‘tone’, i.e. the look and feel of a room, and is largely determined by the flooring and what you decide to do with your walls.


In terms of flooring, you could go with carpet, which is better suited to more comfy spaces, such as a bedrooms and living rooms, or vinyl, laminate or LVT, are all highly practical options for areas like kitchens and bedrooms.


If you want a more rustic look, try engineered hardwood flooring or lay in a herringbone pattern. 


As for your walls, well you could decide to paint them in a matte or satin finish or you may want to wallpaper them all instead.


There’s also the option of creating a feature wall, using wallpaper or paint.


Wood panelling is all the rage these days too, and can involve half-panelling walls or going floor-to-ceiling with it for maximum effect. 

Step 2: Choose the centrepiece


In living rooms, it can be the sofa or a statement armchair.


In bedrooms, it’s the bed and headboard, and in kitchens it can be an island or the dining table and chairs.


Decide what you want your focal point in each of your rooms to be and build out from that.


For instance, if you’re following the Scandinavian design vibe, then accessories are minimal however, a coffee table in the same shade as your floor (which needs to be wooden or wood effect) is a real must.

Step 3: Add some extra flourishes


No room is complete without some extra flourishes.


By this, I mean lighting and other soft furnishings and furniture.


They all add an additional layer of design depth to rooms and help inject your personality into the space too.


Lighting can really transform a space, depending on how its used.


Redecorating for a living room?


Add a lamp into a snug little corner next to a cosy armchair for evening reading.


Lighting for a childs' bedroom?


Add a brightly coloured neon sign for a injection of fun.


As for the other furnishings, they include low level, space-saving furniture, such as bookcases and storage units, that can sit alongside walls or be brought into the middle of rooms to create zones.

Decorating can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.


Approaching it one room at a time and being clear on what you want to ultimately accomplish is the key to getting it right.


Taking your time to research your end vision, e.g. by scouring magazines and Insta feeds, will help you create something that’s 100% and you’ll love for many years to come.


Read my 12 budget ideas to update a living room.

Victoria Foster

Written by:

Stylist & Visual Merchandiser

at ScS

28th January 2024

Victoria is a stylist and merchandiser based at our in-house photo studio. Having been part of the ScS family since 2012, Victoria styles stunning home sets with the latest trends to showcase newly launched ScS products. With over 25 years of experience in styling and merchandising, she loves to keep an eye on the latest trends in the interior landscape. Victoria's favourite interior scheme is the Boho trend and loves to layer a mixture of different textures in her home. Her styling top tip is to always create a focal point in a room. Whether it’s a feature wall, a piece of artwork, or a bright patterned rug, having a focal point can help to drive the decisions on the rest of the rooms layout.