Redecorating

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The process entails changing the look of a space by modifying paint, furnishings, or decorative elements to improve its overall aesthetic appeal
2. It involves transforming an environment's interior by adjusting its color scheme, furniture arrangement, and decorative accessories for a refreshed appearance
3. The activity encompasses altering the visual aspects of a space through updates to colors, furnishings, and decor items to enhance its appeal

Etymology: "Redecorating" is the present participle of "redecorate", and the word is simply "re-" attached to "decorate". The prefix "re-" means "again" or "anew", so to redecorate is to decorate a space a second time, giving it a fresh look after the earlier scheme has worn thin or fallen out of favour. The root "decorate" comes from Latin "decorare", meaning "to adorn" or "to make proper", a sense tied to the older Latin "decus", "grace" or "honour". The "re-" prefix comes from Latin "re-" too, and it passed into Middle English through Old French, which is why the two parts of the word feel so ordinary to English speakers. The Latin prefix has long been productive in English, so combining it with "decorate" was a natural step rather than a special coinage.

Synonyms: renovating, refurbishing, remodeling, revamping, updating

Antonyms: neglecting, disfiguring, dilapidating, degrading, destroying