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After a major life event—a move, a breakup, anything that upends your sense of normalcy—a big shift can feel necessary. Some people opt for a dramatic haircut. Orlando Soria reaches for a few gallons of paint—and sometimes much more. In the designer’s new HGTV series, Build Me Up, he leans on interior design transformations to help people moving through transitions find comfort and grounding in their surroundings.
“You’re expected to be a little bit psychic as a designer,” says Soria. He sits down with clients to better understand their personal style and how their space could function harder for them—which might mean turning a dining room into a part-time art studio, or adding a sofa to a bedroom so a busy mom gets an extra corner to unwind in on her own.
It’s no mystery why so many people are redecorating or rethinking their living situations right now—enduring months at home is a major life shift for everyone. Soria has been making changes around his own West Hollywood place, too. Here, he shares his top advice for refreshing your space—and you can learn more when Build Me Up premieres on HGTV tonight at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
What are the easiest, most affordable ways to make a space feel completely different?
You can’t underestimate the power of a fresh can of paint when it comes to bang for your buck. Even if you repaint a wall the exact same color, it instantly feels clean and bright. You can also track down genuinely inexpensive light fixtures, door handles, and faucets—little things like that—for around $50 that completely shift how you feel in a room. A house is almost like a living organism, so continually refreshing, updating, organizing, and beautifying it goes a long way.
A post shared by Orlando Soria (@mrorlandosoria) on Jul 21, 2020 at 8:28am PDT
How have you updated your own home during quarantine?
I bought a new bed and completely reworked my bedscape—new comforter, sheets, and pillows. I picked up new rugs for both my bedroom and my living room; I’d actually given my old rugs away to people on the show, so I was rug-less for a while. At a moment like this, you want your space to feel genuinely cozy and inviting, so extra textiles, wood accents, and natural elements are what people are craving. I’ve also gone a little overboard with plants—you can order so many online. I get to garden without ever leaving the house.
What’s the secret to a great work-from-home setup?
It varies for everyone, but overall, organization and natural light are really important. I have a two-bedroom apartment, and originally I planned to use my second bedroom as an office. Then I realized it was actually pretty dark in there, so I started working in my dining room instead because it’s far brighter. I added two small storage cabinets to that space—you want to keep work supplies contained so your home doesn’t morph into an office.
Introducing Domino’s new podcast, Design Time, where we explore spaces with meaning. Each week, join editor-in-chief Jessica Romm Perez and talented creatives and designers from our community to explore how to build a home that tells your story. Listen now and subscribe for fresh episodes every Thursday.
Rebecca Deczynski
Writer/Editor
Rebecca can usually be found sifting through troves of vintage treasures, both in person and online. Ask her for a great book recommendation or an obscure Instagram account to follow, and you won’t be let down.
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