So You’re in the Mood to Rearrange Furniture

Here’s how to do it like a designer.

Lydia Geisel

Updated Oct 26, 2018 1:04 PM

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Just because your shopping plans have come to a halt doesn’t mean you can’t re-create the jolt of excitement you feel when you bring home a brand-new object. As we all hunker down, designers and busybodies alike are embracing a very therapeutic activity called rearranging furniture. It’s simple, really—move one item here, move another thing over there—but the end result is utterly refreshing. Your whole home can look different, and you don’t have to spend a dime. So where should you start? We asked five experts to share how they’re pressing reset.

Don’t Overplan in Advance

Sarah Sherman Samuel recently made a simple entryway swap. She moved the white tiered table that was there into the guest bedroom and replaced it with a rattan one. The Michigan-based designer often finds that inspiration comes during the process, not beforehand. “Sometimes moving one piece to a different spot in the room can make a big change,” she says. “Put things together that you might not think would work, just to see.”

Spice Up the Bedding

If you have a different set of sheets or a duvet that’s been sitting in the linen closet, Ariel Okin suggests whipping it out. Pick one aspect to focus on to make it interesting, like setting a color palette, mixing pillows with different silhouettes, or layering blankets at the foot of the bed.

Exchange Like Items

Large area rugs seem like a permanent thing once they’re on the floor, but they don’t have to be. If you’re willing to put in the muscle to move the furniture that’s on them off, swap that carpet with one that’s a similar size but in a different space. Crystal Sinclair says it’s a quick update, even though it might require some heavy lifting.

Give a Corner New Purpose

Justina Blakeney’s current mantra is in sight, top of mind. This week, the Jungalow founder turned an unused nook in her bedroom into a self-care station by bringing in a vanity, stool, and mirror and topping it with her favorite masks, oils, and makeup. “Now that I have a dedicated (and very visible) place to relax and get myself ready in the morning and prepare for bed at night, I find myself leaning more into these routines and rituals,” she shared on Instagram.

Create Feng Shui

Removing or reorganizing some pieces in your home can make you feel less anxious if you follow the principles of feng shui. Loneliness setting in? Laura Benko, author of The Holistic Home, recommends displaying photos of your loved ones, as well as accomplishments such as awards. A home that showcases your own voice builds confidence and diminishes a sense of isolation. We’re all in this movement together.