A Small Guide to Help You Decorate Your Dream Home
“Home sweet home” is not just an adage. It is a manifestation of human emotions towards his dwelling; a habitat which offers comfort, shelter, social refuge, enjoyment, and blissful sleep. A home is a place where family members share their life together. However, a home is not set up every now and then. It is an asset which most people buy once in their life time. If you bought one recently or simply swapped your old home for a new one, decorating turns out to be number one priority.
Decorating your home is not an easy task. Mentioned below are some pointers which will help you overcome hurdles associated with it. This guide will help even those owners who have brought in old furniture while migrating to a new house.
1. Plan your budget
Buying a house in itself is financially challenging. After paying off everyone, there is hardly any money left for sprucing up the house. However, you can adopt the below mentioned strategies.
a) Decorate your house in sections.
b) For each section allocate a budget.
The above tactics will ensure that you never run out of money and abandon the task midway. By decorating your house section wise, you make sure that over a definite timeline your entire habitat is graced, from ceiling to floor, the way you planned.
2. Consider family members
While decorating your home be sure to consider the views and requirements of every member. A lot depends on the number of individuals and their tastes. A couple would decorate a house in a different way than a family consisting of children. It becomes mandatory to provide a separate room for them and decorate accordingly.
If your house is frequently visited by friends and relatives you need to set up a guest room or even a guest suite if you have bought a property which is expandable. In short, you will need to create additional space and accommodate the aspirations of family and also make arrangement for the guests.
3. Is this your first house or are you migrating
If you are migrating to a bigger house, chances are you will be accompanied by some of the old furniture and accessories. A word of advice here; try to dispose of as much stuff as possible except for high value fixtures and heirloom pieces. Fewer carryovers simply mean more flexibility while decorating the house. Secondly, unwanted articles can result in a house which looks cluttered, disorganized and unplanned. You don’t want to create a maze of furnishings and accessories scattered over the entire place, making it difficult to even walk or breathe.
4. Prioritize – bedroom, living room and bathroom
Finally, when the budget and requirements are taken care of, it is time to put your plan into action. Master bedroom and living room will obviously be at the top of the list followed by dining and bathroom. The rest of the areas will follow over a period of time.
5. Decorating Guide
I. Bedroom –
Although this space is extremely private, it demands extra time and efforts. At the every outset, choose a theme. You need to consult with your spouse because this is one place where you will be spending a large chunk of your life. It will be your everyday retreat. The thumb rule is to go in for wall colors which are soft, offer largeness, and soothing ambiance. Wallpaper and wall decoration is yet another option. Choose designs which match your theme. It should relax the mind and body and not cast a gloomy shadow. As for the furniture, make the best use of the space but avoid cluttering. The idea is to offer maximum luxury and breathing space.
Look up to some inspiration; either internet or magazines. Deck up the bed with light colored bedding, comforters and contrasting pillows. Curtains can either be complementing or contradicting. Either way, make sure it blends with the rest of the furnishings. As mentioned above, if you have selected a theme, stick to the rules and do not experiment.
II. Living room –
Your next target or priority will be your living room, which incidentally is the busiest area of any house. It typically means opting for flooring which can withstand continuous human traffic. Don’t forget this room is used for an array of recreational activities such as watching TV, listening to music, enjoying drinks and even for a quick bite. This requires some imagination and innovation while decorating. Simply divide this space in mini sections using various sofa pieces or other pieces of furniture.
If you brought your old furniture, now is the time to use your creativity. Make separate zones for them. If the need arises, apply a fresh coat of paint; adorn it with new upholstery and throw pillows. All this will offer a new lease of life to your old belongings. Give your living room some depth by putting up large mirrors and transparent coffee table. However, make sure you also provide enough space to move around freely. Use pedestal lamps which look inspiring from a distance and occupy little space.
Walls can be pepped up with contrasting shades of color. Use your imagination. Experiment with multiple shades, wallpaper or wall stickers. Avoid using a theme in case you are utilizing some of the old furniture along with the new ones. A theme here just won’t work. Offer a sense of belonging and warmth by laying out a large carpet or even a couple of them. Make sure the color and the design stand out against the flooring.
III. Bathroom –
The next important space is your bathroom. Now, this can be instantly glamorized by changing the basic fittings and furnishings such as towel rods, curtain rods, bathmats, dispensers, lighting fixtures and various holders. Make sure you accessorize your bathroom to complement the paint color or tiles. If your budget permits, avoid curtains all together and instead create a glass cubicle which offers all in bath solution such as sauna or steam, hot and cold water sprays, and even a Jacuzzi.
If your bathroom is small, you can make it appear larger by using full length multiple mirrors, recessed furniture and single colored wall paint or tile. Sconces are a great way to illuminate a particular section of the bathroom, especially above the mirror. Brushed aluminium or nickel faucets, transparent sinks, anti-skid flooring with heating feature are some of the other elements which can add a touch of character and class to your bathroom.
6. Miscellaneous guidelines
Refurbish whenever and wherever possible. This will save you money. Always opt for a minimalist approach. Your dream house will look cleaner and leaner. It also means the entire habitat is easily manageable, one of the essential qualities of a well designed home. Envious glances are just a bonus.
About the Author:
Robert Bryant is a blogger and passionate writer. He likes to write about Health Issues, Online Marketing, Legal Issues, and SEO etc. You can add him on Google+.
