What does redecorating mean?
Redecorating means changing the decorative appearance of a room, building, or similar space after it has already been furnished or finished. It usually suggests a fresh look through paint, flooring, wallpaper, furniture, lighting, or other relatively superficial changes, rather than construction or major structural alteration. The word is commonly used in everyday speech for both modest makeovers and more ambitious visual refreshes. As the present participle of redecorate, it can describe an ongoing activity, as in “They are redecorating the kitchen,” or function nominally to name that activity, as in “Weekend redecorating became a family project.” Because redecorating centers on decoration and appearance, it is often contrasted with renovating, which may include repairs and alterations to the structure or systems of a building. The prefix re- gives the word its sense of doing the decorating again. Recognising this distinction helps speakers describe a change in appearance accurately without implying that the underlying building or its utilities have been substantially rebuilt. Redecorating is therefore useful for discussing aesthetic renewal, especially in domestic and hospitality contexts, while remaining flexible enough to cover anything from repainting one room to completely restyling a space.
verbRedecorating is the act of decorating something again, especially a room or building, usually with changes to its colors, furnishings, or other decorative features.
- Engaging in the act of changing the decorative appearance of a room, building, or other space, usually by replacing or adding colors, furnishings, coverings, or ornamentation.
"They spent the summer redecorating the living room."
"We are redecorating the kitchen before the dinner party."
"Her new apartment is beautifully redecorating, although that sounds more like a magazine feature than a weekend project."
Redecorating starts where decorating takes a second turn: the “re-” simply means again.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does redecorating come from?
Redecorating was formed in English by combining re-, meaning “again,” with decorate and the present-participle suffix -ing. Decorate comes from Latin decorare, “to adorn or embellish,” which is related to decus, meaning “ornament” or “dignity.” The same Latin root produced English words including decoration, decorative, decorator, and decorum.
Related word forms
How redecorating is actually used
This is an everyday word that generally emphasizes changes to appearance rather than structural repairs. It is commonly used in domestic, commercial, and hospitality contexts, and it may describe either minor cosmetic updates or a complete visual refresh.
Easily confused with redecorating
Decorating generally describes adding or changing decorative features, while redecorating implies doing so again or giving an existing space a new decorative appearance.