Jun 21 2010
Interior Decorating Do-It-Yourself Tips!
Do you want your home to look beautiful and stylish but don’t have the budget to hire an interior decorator? In many cases, you’re better off doing it yourself anyway, because then you’ll be sure that your natural style preferences and personality shine through. If you want to know the “do’s and don’ts” of decorating, read on to learn the things you need to keep in mind when decorating your own home.
Good Bets for Success
When decorating, you want to make the most of your home. Therefore, consider your home’s architectural design and location in your planning. The goal is to incorporate your own unique style and personality into the décor while highlighted the architectural assets of the house itself. This way, you can achieve the perfect balance, thereby lessening the need to redecorate on a frequent basis.
Start by using a signature piece to decorate every room. Go with any piece you prefer—modern, abstract, or elegant—and then decorate around it. For instance, if you choose a signature piece of wall art, you can begin to incorporate colors, textures, and design for the rest of the furnishings to complete the look.
Combine Various Design Elements
Do you want your home to be unique and appealing? By blending various design elements, you can accomplish a look that’s totally yours. Combine wood pieces with bold patterns such as stripes, plaids, and florals, and you can really add some interest and depth to the room. Although a wood floor is dazzling on its own, when you throw a couple of boldly hued geometric-patterned rugs down, your floor will come to life. The same goes for solid-colored sofas and other furnishings, where you can add some zip with boldly colored throw pillows and throws with varied patterns.
The scale of the room should also be considered. Keep your furnishings to a similar size and shape. When you repeatedly use shapes, fabrics, and colors, you help bring the design of the room together, making it look as though it was professionally decorated.
A Few Things to Avoid
When decorating your home, there are a few key mistakes to avoid. It’s important that you don’t end up letting a friend or relative telling you how to decorate. Listen to their suggestions, of course, but remember that this is your home. The goal is always for you and your family to feel comfortable and pleased with the décor and design.
It’s also a common practice to place all the furnishings against the wall, spreading everything out in an effort to give the room a more spacious appearance. This can be a mistake! Instead, try arranging your furniture in an intimate grouping away from the walls. By grouping your dining chairs, wood dining tables, and sofa around a large area rug, you give the room a more personal and welcoming look and feel.
Don’t Try to Display Everything You Own
Typically, people will pick up an assortment of collectibles over the years. In fact, you may have an attic, basement, or closet packed with all your favorite accents and accessories. However, when it comes time to decorate a room, you don’t want to try to use them all. What will result is a room with a messy and cluttered look.
Why not put some of these items aside for later use? Then by periodically switching out old collectibles and decorating items, you can keep the room looking fresh. When you use less, each piece displayed takes on a greater significance as well.
Keep these tips in mind the next time you’re looking to update or refresh your home. This way your do-it-yourself décor job will yield professional results.