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Moving into a new home can bring many wonderful things, like a fresh start and a clean slate. But it can also be a confusing time, especially when it comes down to decorating. How does one create a welcoming, comfortable space without going overboard? By doing so, you will end up with a beautiful, functional home. Doing it badly means you’ll end up with a mishmash of furniture, fabrics, and color choices that never seem to come together. In this article, we’ll show you how to plan so that you can save time wondering where to start.
Interior Decoration: Laying the Groundwork
Don’t Start in the Furniture Store
We’ve all been there. You see something you want to buy and start imagining how you’ll use it in your house. You envision yourself sitting down to watch TV while relaxing on the couch or reading a book. And suddenly, you find yourself standing in front of a giant piece of furniture, staring at it blankly.
The problem is, you still need to think things out. If you wanted to sit on the couch, you’d have to move everything else out of the way. So you might buy a couch that doesn’t fit into your living room or looks great in the showroom but won’t work with your existing decor.
Start in the room you’re trying to furnish, armed with measuring tape and a notebook. Measure every surface in the room, including windowsills, doorways, and ceilings. Then take note of where each item is located. This will help you plan what furniture pieces you need and where you’ll put them.
Know Your Measurements
Measurement is key to making sure your home décor matches the scale of the rooms it inhabits. This includes knowing how much floor space there is, what the ceiling heights are, where doors lead, and whether there are obstacles like radiators or staircases.
Once you know exactly how much space you have, you can begin planning accordingly. You’ll want to consider the scale of the furniture you’re buying and how those pieces will look in different spaces. For example, a large couch might work well in a living room, but it won’t go unnoticed in a dining room. If you’re looking for something smaller, think about how it will fit in a bedroom or kitchen.
If you’re shopping online, use the measurements listed in the product description to determine the best fit. If you’re shopping in person, take note of the dimensions of the item you’re considering, including the overall depth, width, and height.
You can also ask the salesperson to show you the item in question, so you can see how it looks in real life.
Create a Floorplan
The floor plan is one of the most important tools in designing a house. It helps you visualize how everything fits together and serves as a blueprint for the layout of rooms. But creating a floor plan isn’t always straightforward. Some people prefer to sketch out ideas on graph paper or even just freehand, while others turn to digital programs such as Adobe Illustrator or SketchUp to help them build 3-D models.
Decide How You Want to Live
You know what it feels like to feel comfortable in a room. A sense of peace, calmness, and tranquility fills you. You want to curl up next to the fireplace and read a book. Or you may prefer to sit in front of the TV watching movies. Whatever your preference, you probably know how you want to live.
But before you start decorating your house, think about how you want to use the space. Deciding how you want to live in a particular room is important because it helps you decide what type of furniture, art, rugs, lighting, and accessories you want to include.
Develop a Budget
If you’ve ever had a conversation with anyone who owns a house, they’ll tell you that there’s nothing worse than spending lots of money on furniture only to realize later that you didn’t need it after all.
That’s why developing a budget is important before buying any new items. A budget helps you figure out how to allocate your money between various categories within your home. It allows you to decide whether to buy a new sofa or save money elsewhere.
Entryway Ideas
Make a Statement
A foyer is a space that welcomes guests into your home, and it should reflect your style. But don’t worry; there’s no rulebook for decorating one. A foyer doesn’t have to match the rest of your house. Instead, choose a statement-making wall covering or finish that makes a big impact.
Design to Your Routine
A few key furniture pieces and small accessories can transform your entryway into a functional part of your home. You’ll find it easier to navigate your house if you have a designated spot to leave your keys, mail, and other items.
You can easily add storage options to your entryway by adding a console with drawers, a shelf, or a bowl. These elements will help organize your belongings and give you somewhere to stash your keys and mail.
Another option is to install a wall-mounted mirror. It gives you one final opportunity to look at yourself before leaving the house and helps you avoid walking out the front door without brushing your hair or applying makeup.
Make sure that you have enough seating options available for guests. Having a bench or a stool or even a couple of chairs will make it easier for everyone to hang out and chat.
Plan for the Weather
You’ll want to plan for the weather if you live somewhere where there’s a risk of getting snow or ice during the winter months. You’ll also want to plan for the summertime heat if you live somewhere that experiences extreme temperatures.
An outdoor mat helps keep muddy shoes out of the house, and an umbrella stand keeps umbrellas handy. A storage bin or basket can hold items that might get soaked, such as hats and gloves.
A coat hook or rack can store coats and jackets, and a closet can provide extra storage space.
Make sure that you have enough room for everyone to pass through without bumping into anything. Also, consider adding a bench or stool near the entryway to allow guests to sit while waiting for others to come down the stairs.
Dining and Living Room Decor Ideas
Create the Palette
Color palettes are collections of colors that work well together. You can find color palettes online, but ordering color chips, fabric swatches, and material samples is the best way to ensure that your palette will match your vision.
Ordering samples is the best way to see how the colors will look together. Put the samples next to each other on a board or tray to see how they work together. Then pin them to a wall or place them in a tray to show off your new color palette.
Sometimes, you may only see how the colors work together once you’ve created the palette. So don’t just look at the samples individually; instead, try putting them next to each other to see how they’ll look together.
Colors that are similar in tone tend to work well together. However, colors opposite each other—such as blue and orange—can clash. Colors that are close in hue (like red and pink) can also cause problems.
Putting samples side by side is another great way to see if different hues will live in harmony or conflict.
Treat the Walls
Painting the walls is a great way to add personality to any room. However, if you’ve ever tried to paint a wall yourself, you’ll know that it’s not as simple as it sounds. Many factors come into play when deciding which paint to use, such as the wall’s texture, the furniture’s material, the style of the room, and the overall look you want to achieve.
For starters, you should select a paint that matches the existing color of the walls. If you’re planning to repaint a room, start with a neutral base coat, such as Benjamin Moore’s Aura Ultra White. Then apply two coats of the desired color. Afterward, let the paint dry completely before applying another layer.
Next, you’ll want to determine whether you want to paint the walls themselves or cover them with a decorative fabric. If you opt for the latter option, you’ll need to pick a fabric that coordinates well with the rest of the decor. For instance, if you’re using a floral print, match the flowers with a similar shade of green.
Once you’ve chosen the right paint and fabric, you’ll need to figure out where to hang the fabric. Do you want it to drape over the top of the wall? Or do you prefer a horizontal stripe?
Finally, you’ll need to think about the lighting in the room. Consider installing dimmer switches to adjust the brightness if you use a dark fabric.
Choose the Furniture
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to decorate your living room. You just need to find the right balance between formality and informality. A simple seating arrangement with two chairs and a couch works well for most rooms. However, if you want to add a little extra flair, consider adding a couple of accent chairs. These small, decorative items give a room a sense of style without being overwhelming.
Depending on the desired vibe, focus on a symmetrical or asymmetrical layout. Symmetry creates a more formal look, whereas asymmetry gives a room a more relaxed feel.
Make sure that the seat height is similar across the board. Lower seats tend to be more informal, while higher seats are more formal.
Whether the space is casual or more formal, there is a guideline to keep in mind: the number of dining chairs should generally match the number of spaces available for lounging.
For a more formal setting, try using a round table instead of a rectangular one. Round tables are typically used for larger groups, which makes them ideal for entertaining guests. Use a mix of high-backed and low-backed chairs for a more casual atmosphere. High-backed chairs provide a more formal appearance, while low-backed ones are more comfortable.
How Things Flow
The living room is where we spend most of our time. We watch movies, play games, and hang out with friends here. But what happens when someone sits down? Where do they go? What does everyone else do while they’re gone? These questions are important to answer because how things flow determines whether your space feels open or cluttered.
Add Rugs
Rugs are great additions to any room. They provide warmth and texture and can serve as a focal point in a room. You can use rugs to visually separate spaces within a room, or you can use them to unite spaces visually.
There are three main types of rugs:
- Floor rugs – These large pieces cover most of a room’s floor. They typically come in several sizes: square, rectangular, round, and oval.
- Area rugs – These are smaller pieces that fit snugly between furniture items. They can be used to unify groups of furniture visually, or they can be used to divide groups of furniture visually.
- Throw rugs – These are decorative throw pillows that hang on walls or furniture. They can be used as accent pieces or as part of a room’s decor.
You can use rugs to reinforce the layout of a room, or they work better if you let them do their job without interference. Choose a style that fits your needs and preferences.
Be generous when selecting sizes. Smaller rugs under the coffee table that don’t reach the legs of sofas and chairs will look like rafts lost at sea. The carpet should extend about halfway, fully, under the furniture.
Finish With Art and Accessories
Art and accessories are the final touches to finish off any room. There is no one-size fits all approach to decorating a room. Some spaces require only a few items, whereas others may require multiple pieces of art and accessories.
Go back to your original inspiration images and study how those rooms were decorated. Did they mix candles, boxes, and bowls, or was there just one vase on a table? Was there a single piece of artwork above the sofa, a freeform gallery wall, or did the walls simply feature a collection of framed prints?
Be sure to consider your functional requirements. A tray on an end table can hold remotes. Throw pillows provide additional back support for deep seating arrangements. Magazine racks can keep magazines out of the way. Baskets are great for tidying up children’s toys in a hurry.
Bedroom Decor Ideas
Plan the Furniture
A bedroom is where we spend time sleeping, relaxing, and getting ready for the day. A well-designed bedroom makes us feel comfortable and relaxed. It’s the place we retreat to after a long day.
As such, it’s important to give the bed pride of place in the bedroom. You don’t want to shove a bed in the corners because it’s hard to walk around, and it is challenging to make. Instead, position the bed along one wall and leave open pathways on either side.
There are many options available for placing the bed. Some people prefer to keep the bed against a wall and add a nightstand on the opposite side. Others prefer to have a nightstand on both sides of the bed. Either way, make sure that the nightstands are large enough to hold essential items.
Do you like to watch television in bed? If so, you’ll want a dresser, chest of drawers, or console table near the feet of the bed that can store the TV while providing additional space for folded clothing.
Many designers also like to put chairs in the corner of a room, not just as a place to sit but also as a landing spot for tossed clothing and personal belongings.
Make It Soft
A bedroom should feel calming and inviting. You want to avoid overwhelming your guests with loud colors or graphic wallpaper. Instead, opt for softer shades of blue, green, and yellow. These colors are soothing and relaxing, making them great choices for bedrooms.
Consider using underfoot textures to add warmth to your room. Wall-to-wall carpet is a common choice, but plenty of other options are available. A large rug that extends beneath the bed is another option. Smaller rugs on either side of the headboard are also a nice touch.
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Evaluate Cabinets and Counters
There are lots of opportunities to upgrade your kitchen counters and bathrooms. You can either do it yourself or hire a professional to install your chosen materials. Either way, there are plenty of options available to you.
You can evaluate your current countertops and cabinets to determine whether you should switch out the old ones for something else. If you decide to replace your counters and cabinets, consider replacing the entire unit.
Painting the walls a new color makes a big difference for kitchens. Or you’d prefer to redo the room completely? Whatever you decide, you’ll want to make sure you pick a color that complements the rest of the space.
Bathroom vanities are usually pretty basic, so you may have minor upgrades to make. However, if you notice that the vanity is starting to show its age, consider replacing it entirely.
Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a pro, many options are available to you when upgrading your kitchen counters and bathrooms!
Focus on Things You Touch
You’ll find that most kitchens and bathrooms have many things you touch daily. From cabinets to faucets, there are plenty of places where you spend a lot of time touching things. So if you want to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom without spending a ton of money, focus on those things you touch daily.
For example, replace cabinet pulls with new hardware. Cabinet pulls are usually made out of plastic, metal, or wood. Replacing them with new hardware gives you a fresh start and makes your kitchen or bathroom look updated.
Similarly, consider upgrading your bathroom faucet. Most faucets come with standard pull knobs, but if you prefer a different style, you can easily swap them out for ones that fit your needs.
And finally, consider adding quality towel bars, robe hooks, and toilet roll holders to your bathroom. These items add value to your bathroom and make it look nicer. Choose products that are sturdy, attractive, and functional.
Refresh With Textiles
You’ll find plenty of inspiration for decorating your bathrooms and kitchens using textiles at Decor Steals. There are lots of options available, including rugs, mats, curtains, bedspreads, table runners, throw pillows, and more. You can even find beautiful wall hangings and mirrors.
Textile products come in a variety of materials, sizes, shapes, and patterns. Some are durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear, while others are meant to last only a short time. Whatever you decide to purchase, you can count on Home Depot to provide quality products at affordable prices.
Decor offers a wide selection of textile products that will refresh any room in your house. Whether you’re looking for a simple solution to clean up a small space or a luxurious upgrade for a larger room, you’ll find what you need here.
Decor Steals
Decor steals is a great place to shop for unique home décor items. Whether you’re looking for a new lampshade or a new rug, you’ll find it here. All of the items come with descriptions and pictures to give you an idea of what you’re buying. Plus, there’s a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can buy with confidence.
You’ll find amazing items ranging from furniture to artwork to lighting fixtures. Some items include vintage lampshades, rugs, mirrors, vases, paintings, wall art, and more. You won’t find any generic items here. Instead, you’ll find rare treasures worth saving for the future generation.
Each item comes with a description, picture, and price tag. There’s no risk since every item is backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re unsatisfied with the product, return it within 30 days for a full refund.
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