Your home is a special place where you have the freedom to do whatever you want when it comes to decorating. From colors to accents to fabric choices, this is the place where your style can take center stage and shine. With that said, there are certain guidelines that should be seriously considered. Here are some essential dos and don’ts that will come in handy the next time you decorate your home.

Do make a decorating plan

This applies to bigger changes like remodels, new furniture, or even revised layouts, rather than small changes such as fabric and accessory updates. It’s important to record things such as room dimensions, window sizes, and locations of electrical outlets before beginning your current project, but it’s also important to think ahead for future changes. If the room will be multifunctional, be sure to incorporate all the uses and functions into the plan as well. Going in without thinking things through can leave you disappointed if it doesn’t turn out as anticipated.

Don’t discount hiring a professional

Some home projects are just beyond our scope of knowledge. This is when it’s a good idea to consult a professional whether it’s an interior designer or an interior decorator. Both can be a real asset to beautifying your home. While you can certainly hire a professional to take on the entire job from start to finish, you also have the option of simply hiring them on a per-project basis. Many of them can even do a lot of the work virtually!

Do find your personal design & color style

Take the time to hone in on what your personal style really is before decorating your home. There are so many ways to express yourself, but it can be overwhelming when it comes to displaying it in your home if you don’t have a grasp on what you truly like. Sit down and flip through some magazines or browse online to narrow down what appeals to you and what will work for your space.

Don’t invest too heavily in trends

Just like fashion, trends in home decor come and go. The last thing you want is to invest in something trendy, only to have it considered out of style next season. Instead, save the investments for pieces that will stand the test of time. Save the trendy loves for items such as rugs, lampshades, accent pillows, or paint colors, which are less expensive to replace. Learn more about Why You Shouldn’t Always Follow the Latest Interior Decorating and Design Trends.

Do Hang Curtains High and Wide

Curtain and drape placement is very important and while properly hanging them in your home sounds intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. To keep the room looking grand and beautiful, hang the curtains as high and as wide as you possibly can. Hanging them in this manner will make the room seem taller, wider, and larger.

Don’t Hang Small Pieces of Art on Large Walls

One big mistake that’s easy to make is hanging art that is disproportionate to the wall. If you have a small wall, then hang smaller pieces of art. If you have a large wall, hang bigger pieces of art. A small piece of art hung on a large wall will be dwarfed by the bare space around it. A large piece hung on a small wall will be overwhelming to the point of making your room look smaller than it actually is.

Do control the flow

The flow of a room is essential and when decorating, it’s important to keep it in mind. For example, you wouldn’t want a cumbersome piece of furniture right in the middle of the traffic zone or in an area that would inhibit visibility. Another example is mood. If you like a more intimate setting meant for conversation, you would need to arrange furniture closer together, rather than spreading it far apart.

Don’t force colors to match

Don’t stress over finding that exact match in your color scheme. In all honesty, it doesn’t look best when everything is the same anyway. Pick a primary color scheme and then look for gradients of that color. Having variations of your main color will allow you to make the things you love the most stand out.

Do make rooms livable

It’s completely normal to want a beautiful home, but it’s important to remember that it’s a place to be lived in, as well as loved. Your home can be as exquisite as you like, but at the end of the day, it should be an inviting space for yourself and those close to you.

Don’t forget to layer in texture

Textures add dimension and allow different elements to play off one another, which keeps the space from looking flat. In other words, they keep your decor interesting! When layering in texture, be sure to mix it up as much as you can — leather, woven, heavy, light, fluffy, soft, sequins, etc. The more textures you have, the bigger the visual impact. Visit our blog How to Make an Impact With Texture for tips on how to bring texture into your home.

Let Us Help You Check Some “Dos” Off Your List

When the time comes to decorate your home or freshen your fabrics, come see us first. From our wide selection of discount designer fabrics to our stylish home accessories, we have just what you need to check some of those “dos” off your list.