Tips for Home Decorating

Decorating your home can be overwhelming especially if you don’t subscribe to a specific style such as shabby chic, modern, or French country. Short of hiring an interior decorator, there are several ways you can make your home more visually pleasing without starting completely from scratch and without breaking the bank.

Start a Picture Collection

If you’re unsure of your style, start a picture collection from magazines and internet sites. Every time you have a few minutes, search and save a picture of two that appeals to you. Don’t overthink it or even categorize what you like. Simply note that you like the look of the room and move on. Once you have 15-20 pictures, go into editing mode. Look at each picture and determine what you like about the room. Is it a particular furniture shape, decorative element, color, overall look or something else? You may discover that a pattern emerges in your design esthetic that you didn’t know about yourself. For example, you may be really drawn to cobalt blue, or metallic details or overstuffed furniture. Use your “likes” as a template for decorating your space.

Work at the Top

The tops of rooms often get overlooked, but they shouldn’t. Paying attention to the ceiling area can add an elegant and complete look to any space. Decorative ceiling medallions under custom made ceiling fans add depth and focus to rooms, drawing the eye up as you enter. Crown molding is often an overlooked detail that makes a big impact on the beauty of the room. Paint the ceiling a darker color than the walls to highlight the crown molding. On the other hand, you might prefer painting the ceiling a slightly lighter color than the walls to open up the room and make the walls feel taller.

Layer the Lighting

Beautifully designed rooms almost always incorporate layers of lighting. Most homes come with a small simple light affixed in the ceiling in the very middle of the room. Rarely is this the best you can do from a decorating standpoint. Step one is to replace the basic light cover with something more elegant or eye-catching. Next add floor or table lamps in the darker corners and near areas where you will need more concentrated reading or task lighting. Finally, light up special areas of the room such as an important piece of artwork or display area in a curio cabinet. By adding different types of lighting, you increase the flexibility of how the room can be used. For example, the same room could offer a cozy place to curl up and read a book or go light and bright for a social gathering.

Add a Pop of Color

If you’re unsure of what colors to choose for your room, or you like to switch up the look fairly often, stick with neutral furniture and add in pops of color. Throw pillows are an excellent and inexpensive way to add pattern, texture, shape as well as color to your room. If you determine after three months that you don’t really like lemon yellow, pillows are easy enough to swap out. Decorative rugs are also a great place to play around with colors and styles. Centered in your room surrounded by monochromatic furniture, a colorful rug will invite your visitors into your sitting area.

Treat the Windows Well

When considering window treatments, try to steer away from either beige mini-blinds or over-swagged curtains. Choose your window coverings as you would choose artwork. They should be coordinated with and add beauty to the look of the room. Keep the curtain rod styling simple. Choose textured drapes with a pattern you love, and they will help decorate your room. If you need more privacy, layer them over bamboo or top down bottom up shades.

There is no time like the present to start planning for your home decoration makeover. Figure out what particular elements of design you love and work from there.