Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to decorate your home. Now what?
It’s no secret that decorating a home can be an overwhelming and challenging task–but that doesn’t mean it has to be an unpleasant experience. For most people, the hard part is usually figuring out where to begin, which is no surprise considering how much is involved. How much should you spend? How do you determine your decorating style? Should you DIY or hire a professional? What can you do to ensure a successful and beautiful result?
If you’ve asked yourself these questions–believe me, you’re not alone.
Once you get over that initial step, however, the rest will fall into place. By taking a deep breath, pacing yourself and following these tips, you can give your home the facelift you desire, without the stress.
Before taking any decorating project, you need to get some sort of plan in place. A good way to do that is to take a critical look at the current state of your home. What do you like about it? What do you dislike? Is your home welcoming and comfortable? Does the room serve its purpose or does it need some tweaking? Are there pieces of furniture that need to be replaced or updated?
Additionally, take note of how you feel when you look at certain colors, fabrics, and décor. What about them are you drawn to or turned off by? When you put these thoughts and feelings down on paper, it’s amazing what you can learn. Eventually, you’ll start to envision the look and feel you want to create in your home, making it easier to repeat what you like and nix what you don’t.
Dream and Gather
Now it’s time to dream and gather. This simply means it’s time to make a wish list and then collect photos that reflect all the things you want for your home. Eventually, you’ll have to think about the budget, but for now, jot down your heart’s desires as though money were no object. If you don’t get that master list in place, then it is very hard to prioritize.
Once that list is completed, start collecting pictures of rooms you like. Be sure to take your time, giving yourself a few weeks to a few months for this process rather than cramming it all into one sitting. It doesn’t matter if you put hard copies in a folder or binder or save the photos online.
Pinterest is one great resource for gathering ideas. It’s so easy to find images and pin them to your virtual board(s). It’s the same for home decorating websites such as Houzz, who has millions of images that can be saved in what they call an “ideabook.” Instagram can even be used to track down looks you love. Simply follow decorating sites or individual designers, take note of images you enjoy, and then seek out similar photos by following hashtags.
Even if you end up hiring a professional for the job, having a collection of visuals will help him or her get a sense of your preferred design style. You may even get insight on what your true decorating style is!
Get Inspired and Trust Your Instincts
It can be hard for people to articulate what they actually want and that’s okay. That’s where those photos you collected come into play. Pay attention to the style of furnishings, the color palettes, the patterns and textures of fabrics, and any other characteristics of a room that are important to you. Whittle down that list until you have a firm grasp on what you see yourself living with.
Look for specific elements that you want to bring to life in your home and find something in your collection of photos that inspires you. Maybe there’s a rug or piece of fabric that calls to you. Perhaps it’s something else like dishware or a painting. Whatever it is, use it as a springboard for selecting fabrics, lighting, cabinetry, paint, furnishings, and accessories.
Don’t be afraid to trust your instincts even if it is taking you out of your comfort zone. It’s okay to ask friends and family for their advice but try not to be overly swayed if your gut tells you to go for it. If you have a spouse or kids, ask them to get involved since it’s their home too.
Shop and Spend Wisely
The shopping is the fun part, but it is crucial that you stick to your budget. Before you start buying out the store, make sure that you have prioritized that list. Take a look around your home to see if there are any pieces that can be reupholstered or repurposed. If so, this can save so much money! Read reviews of products so you can be certain that you’re getting a quality product.
If you have the budget to do everything at once, go for it. If not, there is nothing wrong with decorating in stages. Just make sure you complete one room at a time rather than doing bits and pieces in several rooms.
Visit us at Cutting Corners in Dallas to pick out your favorite discount designer fabrics and hardware, where we will also be happy to help you with any of your questions while you start on your home decorating project! When you stop in, ask to be shown our fabrics featured on HGTV as well as our rug and pillow collection designed by Joanna Gaines.
