Now that Barack Obama is set to take over the presidency, he may soon find himself in another role: White House Interior Decorator.

After the Obamas tour of the White House on November 11, people are speculating about what changes they will make to the building. Last week Slate published an article on the changing decor of the White House over the years. Apparently there is a Congressional budget set aside every four years for the first family to redecorate their new digs. (Or not so. George and Laura Bush were given $100,000 to revamp the rooms for his second term.)

The presidential family has significant control over their private apartments, which comprise the top two floors of the White House. Everything from paint color to wallpaper and furnishings is subject to change.
Other rooms are another story. If the first family wants to change historic rooms (like the Lincoln Bedroom and the Blue Room) they must appeal to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. State rooms are reportedly only refurbished once a decade to keep them usable.

Past additions to the White House have included many sports facilities. Franklin Roosevelt built an indoor pool, Gerald Ford added an outdoor one, the first President Bush commissioned a horseshoe pit and Bill Clinton had a running track installed. Obama has already spoken about plans to expand the current half-size basketball court to a full-sized one.

Designers have noted that the Obamas will face particular redecorating challenges in the current financial climate: with the economy in decline, the president can't afford to look flashy or ostentatious, spending lots of money on redecorating. Simple and elegant seems like the order of the day.

Others see the new political era of Obama as a chance for the White House to update as well. The Bush family made many green improvements to the White House during his term, adding low-flow shower heads, energy efficient lighting and solar panels. Obama's commitment to a green society should begin in his new home.

The last point of interest is the updating of the White House libraries. Much of the success of Obama's campaign can be attributed to his use of technology. Following the Obamas tour, the Associated Press asked several designers for their ideas to revamp the rooms. Lisa Laporta, from HGTV's "Designed to Sell," said she would like to see the library turned into an Internet lounge, with video conference capabilities.

Hopefully the White House's new look will mirror the innovative campaign we saw from Obama: going green and going digital in the coming years.