A funeral home owner and I were narrowing down fabric selections for a pair of chairs when he asked, “I’m not sure if I should replace these or think about a re-do for this entire room.” He brought up a good point. His facility was welcoming. It was clean, well-organized and colors were well-coordinated. But a closer look revealed dated colors; sofas with uneven seat cushions; dark green, outdated carpet; 1980s blue/mauve wallpaper; plus heavy draperies did not convey the updated, fresh, professional look he wanted. It was obvious that his facility housed a premier business in the community and he wanted to maintain that good impression. To do so, he needed a better design plan.

  We began by talking about the look he wanted to project. The current design theme is traditional and because of his customer base he chose to stay with a traditional theme. Of course, every good business person knows that a budget is a huge part of any plan. He felt that a 5-6 year budget plan was manageable. Finally, we unemotionally discussed what should be included in the new design plan by assessing the following:

•     Lighting – The quality and amount of light affects the mood of a space. Is there directional lighting for flowers or memorabilia? Does the room look balanced and visually interesting? Are seating areas welcoming? Uplights, brighter ceiling fixtures, torchieres and sufficient table lamps provide inexpensive fixes. Indirect or subtle lighting “hidden” in crown molding is also effective.

•     Carpeting – Does the entryway have a safe yet attractive surface for bad weather conditions? Is the carpeting worn or stained? Is it possible to replace some but not all carpeting/flooring? Does the carpet design/pattern assist with traffic flow? Re-do selected areas in well-coordinated, transitional, updated colors/patterns. By using one pattern for common areas and another for individual rooms, it can help to direct traffic flow.

•     Walls/Ceilings – Is the wallpaper or paint color out-of-date? Is the color the same in each room or should each room have a different color theme? If there’s a chair rail – can one color be changed to update the room? Drop ceilings can make a facility look dated. Drywall gives a more finished look. The easiest way to see what colors are “in” is to visit your local paint and carpet stores. If you can’t easily match what you already have with what’s being shown, you have Out-dated Color Syndrome!

•     Draperies – Are window treatments appropriate to total design? Do they provide “architectural” interest in a plain room? Are they too-full or heavy-looking, which is an outdated look? Is the purpose to cover unattractive views or do they allow natural light to brighten the room? Keep in mind that window treatments do provide privacy, sound control and especially in older buildings, assist with temperature control while also providing a soft ambience.

•     Furniture – Is seating firm and comfortable for those with hip, knee and back difficulties? Are there pieces available to accommodate generously-sized people? Examine furniture for sagging seats, rumpled cushions, and weak or unsteady legs on tables or chairs. Choose 5 to 7 fabrics throughout to add visual interest. Antique pieces look beautiful but some are almost dangerous due to low seats, narrow seating depth and width plus delicate arms and legs which might not support great weight.

•     Casegoods (wood pieces) – Do the tables have scratch marks, rubbed finishes or stains? Is furniture being used appropriately? If housing media equipment, are all cords contained within the cabinet? Is there a place for family members to discretely conceal handbags and other personal effects nearby? Laminate or non-wood top tables are easy-care for floral and memorabilia displays. Console units keep the facility neat and organized with good storage space.

•     Accessories – Are appropriately-sized lamps, pictures and wall décor in place? Do colors and styles compliment the décor? Do collections of books, figures or wall art add interest or are they merely distractions? Over-sized lamps are out of date. Wall groupings are good; sparse or non-existent wall décor is neither inviting nor interesting.

  Here’s how we worked out his five year plan.

•     The wallpaper was removed and an updated paint color was used.

•     Sofa, loveseat and chair fabrics were selected next so that they’d transition the color scheme from mauve/blue/green (current) to blue/navy/cream (2-3 years) to navy/teal (5 years). Items in the old colors would be phased out and replaced over time with updated pieces in new colors.

•     In another few years, flooring will be replaced with a design that compliments the navy/teal theme.

•     Many of the wood pieces remain but there’s a plan to replace some of those at the end of the five years. An antique breakfront that houses an heirloom figurine collection will remain the centerpiece of a room.

  So, he achieved his goal – he updated the facility while staying within budget and still used some legacy pieces he felt helped to define his family business.

  The New Year is a great time to work on your 2, 5 or 10 year design plan. Just as a business plan is necessary, so is a great design plan! Check your colors. Ready, set, go!