Redecorating your Home? Get it Done Right the First Time
Redecorating a home is such an exciting and fun venture. However, it can also be frustrating if you are working on a limited budget, or disappointing if you don’t plan carefully. Of course, no one can tell you what style will work best in your home – only you know that for sure. What we can tell you is that there are several surefire tips that will help you make the most of your interior design budget, and get it right the first time around.
Get Rid of the Clutter – Clutter means chaos and no room can be peaceful or restful with chaos everywhere. Before you begin your redecorating project, de-clutter your home. It allows you to start with a clean slate. It also means you have a fresh idea of what you have and don’t have; what you want to keep and what you need to get rid of. It is a very liberating exercise!
Become a Bargain Hunter – Whether it is yard sales or church bazaars; the dollar store or a local furniture clearance center – bargains are everywhere if you just keep your eyes open and your pocketbook closed! Redecorating does not mean that everything you purchase must be brand new.
Don’t Forget ‘Cozy’ – Sure, we all want the living room that is on the cover of this month’s home and garden magazine but will it work for your family? In most cases, the answer is no. The expertly staged rooms you see on the glossy pages of magazines are lovely to look at but in reality, not cozy or lived in. Yes, it is important to add a air of elegance to your home, but more importantly you want comfort and coziness.
Give Eclectic a Try – Everything doesn’t have to match and often times a room that is too perfectly matched falls way short on personality and charm. Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns. For example, plaids, florals and stripes actually go really well together if you keep the color scheme consistent. Add an accent chair in a different color or create a focal wall that is filled with your favorite artwork.
Don’t Be Afraid of Color – A splash of color on one wall or on a piece of well placed furniture can give a room a whole new look and feel. Don’t be afraid to experiment with color – after all, if you hate, it just paint it again! Homes that are painted all white are cold, stark and bland. Color can also be used in your furniture fabric, area rugs and draperies. Use your imagination and make color your friend – your home and your family will love you for it.
Pass on the 50” Projection Television – The big black box of death when it comes to interior design – there is no quicker or surer way to kill the look and feel of a room than to plunk a huge projection TV down in the corner of the room. If you must have a large screen television, upgrade to a plasma or LCD TV that can be discreetly and elegantly mounted on a wall.
Remember Who Lives In Your Home – Of course you are decorating for yourself but don’t forget about your family! If you have children under the age of 5, a white sofa hardly seems practical no matter how fabulous you think it will look. If you have older teens in your home, choose fabrics such as rayon and chenille that are hardwearing and stain resistant. If you have pets, choose hard wood or laminate floors instead of carpeting that will collect and trap pet hair.
