Decorate in Stages

When first purchasing a new home, most people don't have enough money left for decorating. But, you can get your new home looking beautiful right away. The secret is to determine your ultimate decorating goals for each room. Then, work toward that goal by filling in with stylish, but low-cost and functional elements.

Stage One...

Look at the room and decide how you want it to look ten years from now. Then, begin your plan by starting out with only one or two of the more expensive features.

Of course, paint can perform miracles in a lot of rooms. And paint is the least expensive way to make big changes in a rooms decor. Try a bold color to draw the eye away from some of the less desirable pieces of furniture.

When you do purchase furniture, make sure it's good quality. You don't want it falling apart in a year or two. Buy pieces that will fit your final decorating goals.

Stage Two...

Now you can get ready to spend a little more for the next phase of your decorating project. If you had purchased a daybed to use as a sofa, now is the time to move that into a guest room and get yourself a "real" sofa! Move the lawn furniture outside and get your television off the table and into an armoire.

You are still going to be purchasing quality pieces. The furniture you bought before was quality, just not exactly what you envision your space to be.

Stage Three...

For this phase, you've saved up the money need to finish the room. Now everything becomes richer and more layered.

To set the tone for more drama, the bold paint is covered with a more subtle, neutral color to showcase the new upholstered furniture. Plush fabrics for window coverings replace blinds or shades.

Bring in an elegant area rug, a lovely folding screen, and the smaller accessories to pull everything together. Now would also be the time to have custom cabinetry installed, if they are needed.

The key to pulling of a successful long-range decorating plan is to use the furniture pieces that will always have a purpose. For example, laminate tables that were grouped together to form a coffee table in stage one, are separated in stages two and three for use as occasional tables. Every purchase should move you closer to the goal -- nothing is disposable.