Listen Now
I didn’t grow up with a mom who decorated our home. It wasn’t until I was taught to sew that I learned about a world of color and texture. Suddenly it mattered to me how a room looked and felt.
So no matter how little you have, your home or your space can be a little bit of heaven on earth and can bring you a smile.
Where do you start? What is your style? How much is this going to cost? is it worth it? Is there a guarantee you’ll like your changes once you’re done?
It may seem easy to just go straight to the stage that people enjoy most, like choosing the paint colors, finding fabric, or looking for a piece of furniture. But I don’t recommend that.
Take a deep breath.
The first rule of decorating that I have discovered is to learn to be patient. (Not what you expected, is it?)
Before running to the store to buy something, take a long hard look at the space you are changing. This means you need to look beyond what you see now. (Can’t help saying, that’s good advice in a lot of situations.)
Look past the color on your wall and what Is on the walls now. Look past your furniture and existing décor. Look at your walls and floors. Are there any architectural features? Some old apartments are hiding some really nice features.
What is the natural light doing in the room? The amount of natural light a room tells you how much other light you need as well as which paint color to choose.
Space will always be your first consideration. What is the size of the room? What is its shape? What is the function of the space?
So often we live in a space for so long that we can lose sight of other uses. For example, a bedroom may be used for more than sleeping. Perhaps you could use it for a study or an exercise area, or for reading a good book. Changing the use of a room can be beneficial. Value can be added in the most unlikely places.
Once you have assessed the space and decided just how you want to use it, you can begin to think about the style or mood you want to create. You may not know your style. That’s normal, which is why many people get stuck at this part of the project. So here is where patience begins.
You need an inspiration board. I would suggest getting some poster board or a three-ring notebook. Start looking for pictures of spaces and places you love. You might find them in catalogs, advertisements, online, or in magazines. Cut them out or print them and paste them on your board or in your notebook. This may take some time, and that’s a good thing. You really can’t do it in one sitting at the computer or the library.
Remember, there doesn’t have to be any rhyme or reason to it. It’s just a place to start.
An inspiration board or notebook will help you begin to think about and define what you really like. You will never regret taking the time to see fresh ideas and possibilities.
Once you have enough pictures, take a long look at them. Are there similarities in the photos? You will probably have pictures of a variety of spaces and looks, but there will be a trend with the look you like. Delete those pictures that you just sort of like and only keep what you love. This will help you narrow down the field and get you well on your way to the style that is just right for your space.
If you find out you need to save some money for the look you love, that’s okay. You now have a dream board and a plan. Maybe in a year, you will be enjoying a whole new room in the same old place!
I hope this helps you begin your journey to make the place you live a place you love.
See more of Deborah Gililand’s suggestions at www.interiorpursuits.com.
