Sometimes, the hardest part of redesigning a room in your home is just figuring out where to start.  There’s so much you want to change, but you just can’t quite put your finger on what’s not working.  If that’s where you are now, here are five suggestions for jump starting your room redesign.

Determine how the room will function for you and your family.

I’m a firm believer in really using every room in your house.  If your current set up isn’t working for how your family lives, rethink how you might use the spaces within your home.   Last year, we converted a formal dining room into a home office, and it was a good, functional change for our not-so-formal family.  The primary way you use your living room (for casual movie nights, as a music room, or for entertaining friends, for example) may also determine what colors, furnishings and fabrics you choose.

Organize your ideas.

If you’re like me, your ideas can be all over the map and a little overwhelming.  I suggest you start by keeping a file of rooms/colors/furnishings that you like.  It’s also helpful to file away pictures of rooms that just “feel good” to you.  Once you’ve been collecting images you like for a while, you’ll probably start to see a pattern of the things that appeal to you over and over again.  There are lots of great tools out there for organizing your ideas.  My favorite is Pinterest, which lets you save images from the web into different folders that you can categorize and label.

Move Your Furniture Around.

Sometimes, just moving your furniture around can give you fresh perspective.  Try changing things around, and borrowing pieces from other rooms, even if you’re not sure it’ll work.  It’s worth a try, and best of all, it’s the cheapest way to change up your space.   If actually moving your furniture around is too cumbersome, try marking off the dimensions of your furniture with painter’s tape to see how the new arrangement will feel.  Also, try moving your sofa away from the wall.  Floating it in the middle of the room can create a cozy seating area.

Make it personal.

You may already own the inspiration piece you need to get started.  If you have a family heirloom, an antique quilt, or a special piece of artwork, it’s great to work it into the design.  Rooms should be personal as opposed to just decorated for the sake of being “done.”

A little help can go a long way.

It’s okay to ask for help.  In fact, a second pair of eyes may see potential that you never thought existed.  It’s no longer as intimidating as it once was to hire a designer.  Many offer one-time consultations and online design boards that let you take their ideas and do the shopping.  Even if you just need help with a floor plan or choosing a paint color, an expert opinion may be worth the price and make you feel more confident in your decisions.