Five
Steps to Decorating
When you're looking at decorating, or re-decorating, your
home, thinking about all the possible options can be
overwhelming. Starting with a plan that includes the five basic
steps to decorating can make the project less difficult.
Step 1: Decide on the look you want to
achieve. Get some decorating magazines at the library and look
through them for rooms that catch your attention. Start with
the styles you know you don't want first, and eliminate those.
Then, go through the others that you like to see if you can
find your "perfect" room. Things to look for:
- What colors draw your attention?
- Do you prefer a clean or uncluttered look?
- Do you like a "country" or rustic feel?
- Is chrome and contemporary art more to your liking?
- Maybe you like Victorian: velvet and tapestries?
You don't have to have a specific style. You can go for
"eclectic" which will bring different aspects of different
styles together. You should have some common element, such as
color, to make this work.
Realistically, most of us can't afford to totally make over a
room. Usually we have to work with much of what we already
have. Purchasing furniture that is neutral in color and lines
will make it easier to adjust to a new style later on if you
change your mind.
Do you have a style in mind? Then go on to...
Step 2: Select a Color Scheme
Color is the most important factor in decorating. You can have
beautiful furniture and furnishings but if you have clashing
colors on those furnishings, on carpet or on walls, it won't
look right.
To develop a color scheme for you room (or your house), look at
what you already have. What color or colors are in the pieces
that you want to keep? If you don't like the color of the
piece, can it be changed with paint or fabric? Does the piece
of furniture fit your room's scale? What condition is it
in?
Determine the predominating color of the pieces of furniture
you will be keeping and go back to the pictures of rooms that
you liked from step one. Which ones incorporate the colors that
you have to work with? Decided on a color scheme? It's time
for
Step 3: Think about your whole house when planning a room.
When planning a decorating project, remember that your living
room is only one part of a whole. You don't want to walk from
there into a dining room that is totally different in style and
color. The rooms don't have to be exactly alike, but they
should blend to some degree. Ready to go on?
Step 4: What is Your Budget?
To figure out how much you can afford to spend, list everything
you need to buy to get the look you want. Then find out how
much each of those items costs by going "shopping" online or
going to your local stores. Look at furniture, slipcovers,
paint, window treatments and accessories.
Think of creative ways to save money on some of those items.
You may be able to find a wonderful sofa at a thrift shop that
just needs upholstery work or a slip cover. Budget Set? Go
to
Step 5: Set a Schedule for Your Decorating Project
First, decide of any part of the decorating project needs to be
completed by a professional or if it can be done yourself.
After you have scheduled the time for the contractor to do his
work, set up times for the tasks that you will be doing -
painting walls, scrape paint off windows, refinish wood
furniture, shopping for accessories or furniture, laying new
wood flooring, and so on.
Write each task down in your calendar, determining how long
each step will take. When everything is written down, you
should have a general estimate of the ending date of your
project. Of course, if you have a job, it will take longer
because you'll only have evenings and weekends to work.
Most decorating projects aren't easy, but they can be
accomplished by using these five steps of decorating.
| 