I'm looking for a verb that means to remove decoration from a room, in the sense of taking paintings off walls or removing furniture. I would prefer a word that has negative connotations.
I though of "redecorate", but redecorating involves adding new decoration and sounds too positive.
You'd strip the room, house, or whatever (that's 839 written instances of "strip the room").
OED strip To unclothe, denude ... To denude or divest (a thing) of attributes ... To take as plunder or spoil. (Obs.)
I'm not convinced about that Obs. I think if a burglar had enough time (while you were away on holiday, say), then with a van, he could easily strip your house of everything of value.
You might also strip the house if you're moving out following a sale that didn't go well. If you'd only recently put up some expensive curtains, say, that the buyers didn't want to pay extra for, you might take them even if they're not going to be any use in your new place.
Of course, if OP wants to sound really "negative, he could always say he...
gutted the place before he left.
Have you considered something like disfigure or deface?
