Do you feel overwhelmed when it comes to decorating your home? What to do first? What style should you choose? What colours go together? How to arrange your furniture and decor so that they all work well together.
When I first moved into my home, these were my thoughts. While decorating my home, I spent hours browsing the internet, visiting my local library (yes, it was a great surprise to see newly published books about home styling and decorating at my library), browsing Instagram, Pinterest, and joining Facebook groups.
On my journey, I picked up some helpful tips and ideas. Today I want to share some of these with you when styling a space.
How Will You Use This Room?
It may seem obvious but it’s a good idea first to take a look at the area and decide how you plan to use it.
Will you use the living room to watch TV? Or will it be a place for entertaining, family time or something more formal?
What will the Kids Bedroom be used for? Will it be mainly for sleeping, or is there a place for toys, a reading corner, or if your child needs to do their homework or read books?
Do you want a single bed in your bedroom or would you prefer a sitting area or an armchair for you to relax?
Does the dining room accommodate both family meals and entertaining?
Is the bathroom for kids? (i.e. bath toys, safety for children) Or is it for adults who enjoy candles and a relaxing atmosphere?
When assessing the space, take into consideration the purpose of the furniture. Large couches are ideal for large families. Do you need a dining table that is kid-friendly and durable? If you have pets indoors, where are they going to sleep? Plan your decor using our handy checklist.
The Layout Of The Room
Look around the room to see what you enjoy and dislike about it. What are the positive features of the space? What are the areas that you should focus on? Do you have any dark corners or natural light? Where are the doors and windows? What is the most common way people move around the room and where are they located? What about the current layout is not working well for you? How can you improve it to suit your needs better? What is the focal point of your room?
Colour
The use of colour is important in designing a space. Consider the purpose of each room when choosing the colors you want to use in your home.
Do you want to create a relaxed, calm atmosphere in your room? For a relaxing feel, consider natural tones and soft shades. If it’s a kid’s room, would you like to use bright colors or a softer tone for the theme?
The colours will appear different in the morning and evening. You can paint a large area on a wall using a sample pot of the desired color or hang an A4-sized swatch.
Create An Mood Board
It’s time to develop a vision. You have a clear idea of what the space is for, its positives and downsides, and the tone or atmosphere that you want to achieve. A mood board can help you to bring your ideas into reality.
A mood board allows you to gather all elements of your room design in one place. This includes furniture, colours, fabric patterns, plants and rugs, as well as decor, lighting and cushions.
There are several ways to create mood boards.
- Magazines: Cut pictures out of magazines and glue them onto a piece cardboard.
- Pin Board: Use a corkboard to pin pictures, fabric samples and other items. You can use this method to change or rearrange items and feel the textures.
- Digital Mood Board – Save images on your computer. Add pictures to a document using a tablet or computer. You can create a moodboard using some free software, such as Canva or Adobe Illustrator.
Furniture
When you are renovating a room, take a look at the furniture that is already in place. It helps keep costs low and reduces waste. You can paint some items or use a sandpaper and varnish to make them look new.
Keep in mind the purpose of your room. Consider durable, solid furniture of high quality. In the children’s room, you would not want to use a fragile piece of furniture that could topple over or break if the kids climb up on it. In the games room, a light-coloured sofa might not be the best choice. Instead, a dark sofa with fabric protection is the better option.
Add a splash of color to neutral furniture. Add cushions in different textures and colours to change the look of your sofa.
Lighting
The lighting is an essential part of any space. Lighting creates a certain atmosphere in a room and can also be used to improve its functionality.
Lamps in bedrooms can create a relaxing atmosphere at night, perfect for finishing your book or relaxing before bed. The right light for the office can help you get the job done. The lighting in your living room will depend on how you use the space. It may be brighter for a family game night or subdued when you’re relaxing in front the TV. Candles, Floor Lamps, and Lanterns can be used to change the mood of your living room without having to make any electrical changes.
Finishing Off Your Room With Accessories And Decor
Artwork, decors, throws and cushions, clocks, plants, rugs, and clocks all contribute to the overall look of an area. It is important to keep in mind that while we are influenced by the current trends, it’s also important to use items you love to decorate your home.
Cushions, throws, and artwork can be used to add texture and layers. Add artificial or indoor plants to bring some nature inside and fill up empty corners. Decorate tables in threes of varying sizes and shapes. Test out different combinations to find what works best for you.
Decorate the space according to who you will be hosting. Safety is always a concern for children. Consider who will use the room when placing valuable or sentimental items. Also, check if they can easily be broken. You wouldn’t want your child to break a vase that you received as a present.
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