With plans being cancelled and many of us spending more time at home these days, I wanted to share with you place I shop most often – my own home.  Shopping in your own home is a great {and free} way to freshen up the look and make things seem new again.  And what’s not to love learning how to give your home a free makeover?

So what exactly us redesign?

To design something again in a different way.

So basically, taking what you have, mixing it all up, and coming up with a whole new look. That’s right. A free home makeover.

Why Redesign?

Redesigning is a great way to keep your home feeling “new” without spending a dime. Changing things up will allow you to create an environment that reflects your mood, style and taste at any given time.  Picture it like an artist sees a blank canvas – it’s a space to create!

The Process

For those that visit my home, timing is everything.  Friends who stop by after I’m done rearranging think that I’ve bought new things, when I really haven’t.  Friends who come over while I’m still in the process of moving things probably think my home looks like a war zone, with piles of things in some places and completely empty areas in others.  I don’t tend to move large pieces of furniture around because for the most part, my rooms are arranged the best way possible for the space and the furniture that I own.  When it comes to accessories, though, that’s a different story!  Wall art, entry displays, coffee table vignettes, mantels, etc. are all constantly changing in my home.  But there is a method to my madness….

5 Tips for to Give Your Home a Free Makeover

1.  Clear the Decks

I find that it’s easier to envision a new arrangement for a space if you clear away the current items, allowing you to see the space from a fresh perspective. Take all accessories and small pieces of furniture out of the room so that you can start with a blank canvas.

Vignette of maidenhair fern in sugar bowl with books

2.  Browse Your Home

Once your space is cleared, literally walk room to room around your home to see what you might be able to pull from another space that would work well in the room you’re redesigning.  Browse your home just as you would browse the aisles of any retail store. Look at objects in terms of their color, their size and their height, and if you think they might work in your new space, pick them up and take them along with you as you go.

Spring vignette with purple flowers, ironstone and feathers

3.  Think Outside the Box

It’s very important to take into consideration an item’s potential, not just its traditional use.  For example, a pitcher is great for serving beverages to guests, but works equally well holding flowers or even kitchen utensils.  The same is true of a serving tray. When not in use for serving, it can be beautiful on a coffee table to contain groupings of other items to create a vignette! Old trophy cups? They are great as vases or utensil holders!

4.  Experiment!

The beauty of shopping your own home is that everything is free and there is an unlimited return policy.  That means that you can move things around and try them out with no risk!  If you try it and don’t like it, put it back to how it was and in the process, you’ll have learned something about design, as well as about your personal taste.

French wingback chair with blue ruffle pillow

5.  Give It a Day

Sometimes after redesigning your space, there is an adjustment period, especially if you’ve had things arranged in a certain way for a long time.  After moving things around and redesigning your space, it’s very important to leave it for a day or so before deciding whether you like it. 

Often times, discomfort with a redesign has nothing to do with whether you like it and everything to do with your not being used to it.  So give it a day and then see how you feel!

French Farmhouse Gallery Wall around a TV

Just as with everything in life, decorating your home is often about doing the best you can with what you have.  So with many of us staying close to home these days, why not shop your own home! So if you’re ready to chase away the winter blues and freshen things up a bit, why not start with what you already own!

Hoping everyone stays safe and healthy!

Still shopping online? You might like this post with my favorite AFFORDABLE places for online shopping.

The Best Online Shopping Sites for Affordable Home Decor



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19 Comments

  1. Marlene Stephenson says:

    Thanks for these examples, love your home and style. I do try to change things around cause who doesn’t get tired of the same old things but, sometimes it just won’t come together or maybe i will wait till the next day like you said.

  2. Teddee Grace says:

    When everything is boxed up in plastic containers in a rental storage unit, this is not so easy, but I do keep trying to find the energy and strength to visit my units every few months at the change of the seasons to shop my treasures.

  3. D. Talbott says:

    Your printing s so light, I can’t always read it. Can it be larger and darker.
    Thanks. I love your articles. Keep them coming.

  4. I love the salt and pepper shakers. Where did you get them?

  5. Shopping your house is cost effective, and it makes “old” accessories look new again!
    I was looking at your very first blog posts (because I just started a blog, also) and I am very inspired by how you and your blog have blossomed. I’ll keep following you :)

    1. User Avatar Tidbits&Twine says:

      Thank you, Julie! And best of luck with your blog. I’ll have to check it out. :)

  6. I do this too. It’s like getting new things, yet it doesn’t cost anything. Our wood floors are getting refinished next week so I had to move everything out and can hardly wait to “refurnish” table tops and cupboards with my stuff…just re-purposed.
    Terrific post.
    Karen

    1. User Avatar Tidbits&Twine says:

      Thank you, Karen!

  7. I shop my own home always-especially when putting together a table for a dinner party. Always a fun challenge to see what new things you can come up with!

    1. User Avatar Tidbits&Twine says:

      Oooohhhh….a dinner party is a great reason to shop the house!

  8. Thanks for the reminder to work with what I already have! Winter is a perfect time to shop the house.

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