Just Moved? Here’s How to Incorporate Existing Furniture Into a New Space

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Reusing your design elements after a move is possible. Image: Godrich Interiors

For many, moving feels like an excuse to go on a serious design binge. After all, new rooms are the perfect place to try out some of the looks and trends you’ve been drooling over for a while. Plus, it’s common knowledge that new spaces need a personal touch to feel homey.

Unfortunately, though, it isn’t always possible to plunge into a full redesign. Whether you’re trying to save a little money or you just don’t have the time to commit to another project, sometimes you need to figure out how to incorporate your existing furniture into fresh interiors.

If you’re worried about pulling this task off without having your design look pieced together, there’s no need to worry. We’ve got tips and tricks to help shape your new house into a home. Keep them in mind as you set up your rooms and we guarantee you’ll feel settled before you know it.

Rethink the layout of your furniture. Image: Stonewood LLC

Rethink your layout

This one might be the hardest to wrap your head around. We get it. You’ve had your old layout in place for a while and, at this point, it would just feel weird to try it any other way. However, rethinking your furniture placement allows you to find configurations that best fit this home — at no additional cost.

As for how to pull this process off, you first need an open mind. Walk around your home with fresh eyes and consider where the focal point should be in each room. Mentally take stock of all the furniture pieces at your disposal and brainstorm how to arrange them in a way that will draw the eye where it needs to go.

Once you have a vision in mind, take measurements to make sure the pieces will fit and then bring in the furniture to play around with the configuration. While you’re trying out different arrangements, remember to keep both aesthetics and function in mind.

Try your hand at DIY to give favorite pieces a new look. Image: Kate Maloney Interior Design

Incorporate existing furniture with a DIY makeover

One of the easiest ways to make a room look pulled together is by making sure all of the design elements match a certain style. However, when you’re trying to coordinate a mishmash of pieces, they won’t necessarily match the same aesthetic right away — sometimes it takes a little work on your part.

The key to any successful DIY project is research. Once you know which pieces should go in the same room, look for some design inspiration that showcases an end result you love. From there, find tutorials that show you, step by step, how to create the look you want.

As you tackle your project, remember that patience is key. Take your time and follow the steps exactly. A little extra time and energy spent now will help you achieve a result that’s more in line with the look you’re after.

Products to kick-start your DIY projects:

Use accents and accessories to pull everything together. Image: Katie Martinez Design

Pull the room together with accents

Keep in mind that furniture isn’t the only thing that matters in interior design. There are plenty of other components that affect how a room looks. Even if your furniture doesn’t come together as perfectly as you’d imagined, you can use matching accents as a unifying element.

Take, for example, the picture above. Though the woods and fixtures aren’t an exact match, there is enough brass in the drawer pulls, shelving brackets and light fixtures to make the kitchen look cohesive. Whichever room you’re working on, consider using coordinating elements such as textiles, wall art and décor items to anchor your design.

Even if you need to spend money to purchase new accents, this is one area worth the splurge, especially when you consider that the total cost will probably be far less than buying new furniture. In the end, a few complementary accents will have a huge visual impact on the space.

Easy accents to pull together your room:

Consider adopting an eclectic style. Image: Studio JP

Embrace eclectic design

If you’re willing to explore a less-traditional area of interior design, an eclectic style is a great way to bring different looks together within the same four walls. There are only a few things you need to keep in mind to put a room like this together in a way that works.

In eclectic design, a good layout is essential. Since none of the pieces match, their purpose as a unit needs to be immediately identifiable. In this case, less is more. Focus on only including items that serve a specific function. Then, use balance and symmetry to ensure their configuration is pleasing to the eye.

The other defining feature of a successful eclectic design is a coordinating color. Again, this is where accents come into play. Choose accent pieces and accessories that are similar in their shade and hue so your furniture becomes a focal point rather than another distraction.

Eclectic furniture finds for your space:

Moving existing furniture into a new place just takes imagination. Image: Rikki Snyder

Moving doesn’t have to mean sinking a lot of money into designing new interiors. It’s absolutely possible to incorporate existing furniture into a new home. All it takes is a little imagination and forethought. If you’re struggling with how to blend your old and new spaces together, use this guide as a jumping off point. These tips will give you the framework you need to create a fresh look at a fraction of the cost.

Have you ever had to bring your furniture into a new space? What questions do you have for us about navigating interior design after a move? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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