Lots Of Home Decorating Ideas

AS PART OF A RENOVATION

At the risk of being repetitious, home decorating ideas start with knowing what you want to do and how much you want to spend. These issues should have been substantially determined before you hired your contractor. I’m sure you’ve been doing a little tweaking along the way – and that’s perfectly normal.

You might prefer to have the newly constructed space follow a theme already existing in other rooms, or you might want to create a room with its own charm and style.

Here are some color trends for 2012.

A good way to approach your selection process is to first choose items which will be permanently fixed to walls and floors. This way the contractor will have what he needs once he gets to that part of the job. Then concentrate on furnishings and accessories.

Know yourself, and remember that Form Follows Function. That means that your preferences should dictate how utilitarian each area becomes, versus how aesthetic. Take care of the utility aspects first, and decorate around them.

These home decorating ideas shouldn’t be difficult – it’s just you, putting together things that you need, want, and like. Its how a space gets your personalized signature. There is no right way, or better way, there is only YOUR way. There is no reason you can't have your own unique home decorating ideas.

Once the layout and functional aspects of the room are set in your mind, it’s time to finalize your home decorating ideas by determining the color schemes and patterns.

Making one wall darker than the others will add depth and actually make the room seem larger. Cool colors are comfortable and easy on the eyes. Light colors are stimulating.

Obviously, the wall colors have to come together with the fabrics and window treatments. After applying new paint, you might consider using stencils along the tops of the walls, or in the middle (like a chair rail, only at 4 feet off the floor). Stencils are an inexpensive way to add pizzazz to any room.

If you went with neutral colors on the walls, think about adding character and interest by bringing in a few colorful furnishings and accessories. Remain consistent with your own taste and color preferences.

In the event that your big problem is a lack of storage space, my only advice is to keep looking around. There are soooooo many different interior decorating ideas that can solve this problem – you just have to find one that appeals to you. There are several innovative ideas displayed in the stores.

Having said that, and depending on the size and configuration of the space you’re working in, you should give some thought to plants, throw rugs, artwork, and accessories. What piece of furniture, fixture, or window treatment will WOW your visitors? Look for pieces that scream “THIS IS ME.”

And remember to measure for everything before you buy, or your home decorating ideas might not work. You might love a piece of furniture, but if it doesn’t fit in the room, you really only have an oversized mass that does nothing for your sense of style. For more on this subject click here.

This link will bring you to ways to decorate your bathroom. And here's a page about how to use size and proportion when decorating.

If interested, you can visit a page about ways to decorate your fireplace.

Or perhaps wood-fireplace-mantels are what you are curious about.

There is nothing more discouraging than looking at several empty rooms when you have no real decorating sense. I have moved into a new home more than once, and found it overwhelming every time.

It’s extremely hard to know which home decorating ideas will best occupy the space if you don’t have the resources at your fingertips that can fill in the blanks. That’s why God made professional decorators.

I only have a few pieces of advice regarding home decorating ideas for 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 about interior decorating ideas that 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, countertops, 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.

Just paint everything you're not sure about in a neutral color and make decisions after you're living in the space a while. 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 trying to decorate the entire house. Break it down into easy-to-manage 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 (one room has a lot of A and a little of B, while another room has a little A and a lot of B).

Other home decorating ideas use the same window treatments in all the rooms; or the same flooring; while 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.

Here’s one more suggestion – pick what makes you and your family comfortable. Many people follow the trends, but if those neon bar lights don’t go with your character, they won’t go in your home either.

#3 - LET THE WOMEN DO IT! Guys, if you try to get too involved in the home decorating ideas, 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.

In addition to the shopping gene, women have another gene that makes them "feather the nest." It's another one of those natural phenomenons, and you shouldn't mess with Mother Nature.

The girls love to look 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.

#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 without wrecking your budget.

* Make a priority list. The top of the list should be home decorating ideas 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.

These are inexpensive 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.

* If your wish is to include more time-honored surroundings, check out antique stores, estate sales, and yard sales. You can compliment new furnishings with antique bed linens, vintage fabric pillows, or an English pine table that echoes another age. You should be able to find lots of good home decorating ideas in antique stores.

* 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.

In conclusion, your home decorating ideas should be a reflection of you and your lifestyle. Satisfaction comes from expressing yourself through your home. When formulating your home decorating ideas, weave your family’s story throughout your house.

Don’t try to get it 100% right the first time. You’ll achieve the best results if you treat decorating your home as an ongoing process. I can guarantee you that your tastes will change over time.

Once your home decorating ideas are compiled, always buy what you love (just make sure it will fit where you want it). If you make a mistake, don’t be too hard on yourself – if you love it, you’ll find a place for it.

Once you find things that please you, determine why you love it (color, shape, age or style), and build around those attributes by repeating and contrasting them.

Over the last 50 years, there has been a shift in the way we live. Back then, rooms were defined by purpose (reserved for a single use). Today, we have a more casual lifestyle, with versatile open spaces that flow easily into each other.

There is much more emphasis on pleasure and comfort. Back in 1960, hot tubs, spacious decks, eat-in kitchens, media rooms, great rooms, home gyms, home offices and computers were all rare. I don’t have to tell you how often formal living rooms get used today.

Here are some cheap decorating ideas.

If you're focusing on redecorating a bedroom, you might be interested in Upholstered Headboards.

See the right column for several other Related Pages

Throughout this website I have repeatedly said to look through magazines for ideas. I’m sure design solutions (as well as lots of home decorating ideas) can be found there, as well as products and styles that appeal to you, but don’t take any one style or look too literally.

There are no fixed rules. Everything should revolve around how you feel about your surroundings.

You must incorporate comfort. It should be a pleasure to walk into your home at the end of a work day and have it be as functional and comfortable as it is beautiful.

If you need to contact me about home decorating ideas, click here.

Fill out this quick form and get free bids from contractors in your area. This service is completely free with no obligations to hire. Or, call 866-452-3059.

Find pre-qualified local decorating help - call 866-452-3059 for free quotes with no obligation to hire.

Return From Home Decorating Ideas To Home Remodeling Home Page.