DIY 101: Home Decorating

Do you want your home to look beautiful and stylish but don’t have the budget to hire an interior decorator? Fortunately, doing things yourself is always an alternative and a good one at that, as when you’re personally involved, your natural style preferences and personality emerge. Here are some things to keep in mind as well as the “do’s and don’ts” of decorating your own home.

Good Bets for Success
Considering the architectural design and location can help you make the most of your home. You want to be able to maximize the architectural assets of your home while at the same time incorporating your own unique style and personality. Your objective should be to achieve the perfect balance, lessening any need to redecorate on a frequent basis.

Each room should be decorated using a signature piece. Go with any piece you prefer—modern, abstract, or elegant—and then decorate around it. A signature piece, such as a painting, can act as a basis for you to incorporate colors, textures, and design for the rest of the furnishings to complete the look.

Combine Various Design Elements
Do you want your home to be unique and appealing? The way to accomplish a unique look that’s totally your own, you need to blend various design elements together. Combine wood pieces with bold patterns such as stripes, plaids, and florals, and you can really add some interest and depth to the room. While a wood floor makes a statement on its own, it can really come to life with the addition of some boldly hued geometric-patterned rugs. You might also add some boldly colored and patterned throw blankets and pillows to solid-colored sofas and other furnishings.

It’s important to pay close attention to the scale of a room. Furnishings should be similar in both size and shape. Part of achieving that professionally decorated look is the repeated use of shapes, fabrics, and colors to help bring the design of the room together.

A Few Things to Avoid
When decorating your home, there are a few key mistakes to avoid. For starters, don’t let a friend or member of your family tell you how to decorate your home. Listen to their suggestions, of course, but remember that this is your home. The goal is always for you and your family to feel comfortable and pleased with the décor and design.

When arranging their furnishings, many people place everything against the walls, spreading it out in order to give the room a more spacious look. In many cases, this is a mistake. Instead, try arranging your furniture in an intimate grouping away from the walls. Set out a large area rug and group all your dining chairs, mission dining tables, and sofas around it, thereby creating a more personal and welcoming look and feel in the room.

Don’t Try to Display Everything You Own
Many people have picked up many collectibles over the years. In fact, you may have an attic, basement, or closet packed with all your favorite accents and accessories. However, when it comes time to decorate a room, you don’t want to try to use them all. You’ll just end up with a room that looks messy and cluttered.

A great solution is to save some of these items for later. This allows you to keep the room fresh by switching out old collectibles for ones you have stored. By using less, you also convey the importance of each piece you have carefully selected to display.

Keep these tips in mind the next time you’re looking to update or refresh your home. This way your do-it-yourself décor job will yield professional results.