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How to Know When Your Home Needs a Redesign

Creating a home you love isn’t about the likes it receives on social media, but about how it makes you and your family feel every day.

And now, more than ever, that feeling of comfort is important as our homes become not only a space for rest and relaxation, but for work and home schooling. After months at home, many people are realizing their homes aren’t up to the challenge of being a workplace, classroom, dining area and relaxing oasis all at the same time. The challenge facing many homeowners now is whether to move, to build on an addition, or to work with an interior designer to recreate the space they already occupy.

While the first two options can be pricey and stressful, the third option can be incredibly cost effective and stress relieving. Many homes don’t need a costly renovation, they just need a fresh perspective. This is where an interior designer can come into play and help homeowners see their space in a new way. A designer is trained in space utilization and creative problem solving. They can help envision a space that will function well, and also make your family feel at home.

If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, a home refresh may be all that you need:

  • Are you feeling overwhelmed, especially when you walk into specific rooms?
  • Are certain spaces buried under constant clutter? Or feeling tight?
  • Is it hard to find a space where you can relax and regroup at the end of the day?
  • Do you feel unhappy when you walk through the door?

Josephine Kurtz, of Kurtz Collection, is well versed in guiding clients through the redecorating and re-envisioning process. Josephine and her sisters traveled the world with their parents as children, collecting stand-out art and décor pieces during their trips around the world. Their father, contemporary artist and rug designer John Kurtz, instilled in his daughters a keen eye for design, color, and composition—skills that Josephine brings to every project, big or small.

Many of the spaces Josephine sees as prime for redesign and repurposing are spare bedrooms, basements and enclosed porches. These are all easy spaces to recreate into inspiring and productive work areas. For smaller homes, breakfast nooks, kitchen areas, dining rooms and family rooms can become multi-purpose spaces with the addition of a few key pieces and creative space usage.

When it comes to freshening up a space, choosing furniture pieces and storage accessories to help maximize the space and store things when not in use is a big priority. A kitchen counter or breakfast space is a great spot for schoolwork but being able to put away the books at the end of the day and turn it back into a family space is important. Creating a storage bench for seating, adding storage space in a pantry and repurposing a closet are all effective ways to maximize a room and organize clutter.

Good lighting is also an important addition to any room. Artful placement of pendant lights, lamps or under cabinet lighting can help create a better workspace, but also help set the mood of a room.

Most importantly, when the end of the at-home work or school day nears, your space should allow you to “shut the door” on those tasks and take a breather. While the transition between work mode and home mode is more difficult to manage when it’s all in the same place, a designer can create separation between each.


A family-owned business based in Wilmington, Delaware, Kurtz Collection offers a mix of furniture, accessories, handmade rugs and designer carpeting. The business is also home to New Moon Rugs, a leading producer of original-design rugs across the world. In addition to Kurtz Collection’s design services, the business offers rug cleaning and repair, upholstery, and custom window treatments. Delivery and installation are also available.

 Visit the Kurtz Collection online at kurtzcollection.com and New Moon Rugs at newmoonrugs.com. Or, shop the showrooms in Glen Mills and Wilmington.

*What’s this? This content is made possible by our sponsor and does not necessarily reflect the attitude, views, or opinions of the Delaware Today editorial staff.

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