Removing clutter emphasizes view
Jim Buchta, Star Tribune
Project: Dining room of a house in Minnetonka.
Positives: A walk-out deck with a beautiful view and lots of room.
Negatives: Dated wallpaper border, dated carpet, clutter.
This room had a large eating area and a wonderful view, but it was hard to notice the view. "My eye immediately went
to the wallpaper border," said Lori Matzke of Centerstagehome.com. "These ceilings were already too low."
Here's what Matzke did to play up the room's positive features and downplay its negatives.
Getting rid of excess furnishings and clutter was the first step to staging this dining room. Matzke suggests removing
anything smaller than a football to keep your rooms looking tidy.
Matzke removed several mismatched chairs and a low storage chest that did not fit the space and replaced them with an
antique dresser in tones of gold, green and red that help tie in with the cabinets and linoleum in the adjoining kitchen.
The wallpaper border was removed because it drew too much attention to the low ceilings instead of the room's other features.
To keep the mood light and airy and to downplay the sharp contrast between the yellow floors in the kitchen and green
floors in the dining areas, Matzke replaced the heavy green drapes with softly patterned sheers in an antique gold tone.
A more attractive drapery rod that matches the dark-toned finish of the updated kitchen hardware helps to visually connect the rooms.
An oversized print that drew too much attention from the outdoor view was replaced with a smaller picture of bright yellow
lemons that helps pull together the color scheme between the two rooms.
A mirror over the dresser helps reflect light from the room and a view of the updated kitchen.
A textured bamboo basket filled with bright green potted plants and a colorful floral bouquet make the space feel fresh
and finished.
Next Before & After >>
