Advice About Decorating A New Home

I only have a few pieces of advice regarding decorating a new home. I think it's obvious that you should look at about 1000 magazines to gain insights about the sort of things you like, and what the market is offering. But I have four suggestions you're not likely to find in magazines.

#1 - DON'T BE IN A HURRY! Yea, I know you want to have it all done when you move in. In rooms like the kitchen, it might be a good idea. Once you chose your cabinets, counter tops, and appliances, that room just needed a few decisions about colors and flooring.

If there are rooms where you're SURE about what you want, fine. But it's more likely that you won't decide on all of the furnishings, colors and wall coverings you will need for decorating a new home before you move in. Don't worry about it.

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Just paint everything you're not sure about in a neutral color and enjoy the process after you're living in the space. The result will be much better choices and greater long-term enjoyment. Take your time. My own experience is that the last rooms to be decorated came out the best.

#2 - DO IT ROOM BY ROOM! Don't get overwhelmed by the idea of decorating a new home all at once. Break it down into manageable components (rooms) and finish them one at a time.With bedrooms, each one can have a unique style, and could (your choice) "connect" with the person(s) sleeping there. Same goes for bathrooms. Hopefully, people don't sleep there very often.

In the living areas, most professional decorators will try to have a thread, or theme, running through all the rooms while making each room different. This could be done with colors (1 room has a lot of A and a little of B, while another room has a little A and a lot of B). It could be that you use the same window treatments in all the rooms; or the same flooring; and other elements make each room unique.

It's perfectly fine to forget the theme idea all together and make each room independent of the others. Whatever you decide, this part of the house should reflect your taste and personality. Take your time, and have fun doing it.

#3 - LET THE WOMEN DO IT! Guys, if you try to get too involved in decorating a new home, you're in for a few arguments. I have a theory - it's called the "nesting gene theory."

You see, guys have a gene that makes them sit on a couch and watch football. Women have a gene that makes them "feather the nest." It's a natural phenomenon, and you shouldn't mess with mother nature.

The girls love decorating a new home. There's nothing they enjoy more than looking through an endless pile of wallpaper books. Guys want to buy the first thing that isn't repulsive and be done with it. Guys just don't care as much.

The best scenario for everybody is to have the girls come to you with a short list of 3 or 4 choices and then you can both discuss which of those to buy. Remember, this should be fun for everybody involved - don't make it seem like work.

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#4 - WORK AROUND YOUR BUDGET! If you overspend, you put pressure on yourself. Take it from somebody who's made that mistake. Having said that, always buy quality.

Quality furnishings will look good and serve you well for a lifetime. You can even give them to your kids when you don't need them any more (not that they'll want them). Here are a few ideas about how to buy quality furnishings for decorating a new home, without wrecking your budget.

* Make a priority list. The top of the list should be items that are really important to you. Go as far down the list as you can without feeling a pinch, then wait until you're able to refill the account. Meanwhile, there are ways to address the bottom half of the list to help you afford what's at the top.

* Check out antique stores, estate sales, and yard sales. These are inexpensive sources for items which may not be on the top of your list, so you're willing to go with something "interesting" although it may not be perfect.

It should still reflect your personality, and it should suit your taste. E-bay is another place where you can find some things you will like, at bargain prices.

* Display the family's handiwork. Instead of buying everything you need, think about what you already have that might fit into your decorating scheme. That hand-made tablecloth your great aunt gave you could be displayed instead of left sitting in a drawer.

Your own skills and creative talents might be put to good use. Slipcovers, woodcraft, pottery, stained glass, any other hobby you can think of. These things will make your decor different and uniquely "you."

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I hope this helps. If you have any questions about decorating a new home, click here.

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