If your home needs a refresh, whether you want a whole new look or just a bit of an update to the latest design trends, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the possibilities.
Whether you’re a dyed-in-the-wool DIYer or someone who prefers to stand back and watch the transformation come to life, there is plenty of inspiration out there. What you decide on, in the end, should be something you can embrace whole-heartedly and love for a long time to come.
Acquaint (or Reacquaint) Yourself With the House
From junkhappens.com
Before diving into the deep end, we always suggest starting by getting to know your space a little better first. Whether you just moved in or you’ve already been living in the house for many years, start with the bones and work outwards from there.
If it’s a new house for you, live in it for a few months before you make any decisions. Chances are, the ideas you had at the outset will change once you settle in.
If it’s a home you’ve been living in for a while and you just need a refresh, start by decluttering. Take it right down to the basics, get rid of anything unnecessary, and organize what’s left until you know what’s working and what’s not. This approach might save you a lot of time and money as well, because once you’re down to the bare metal, so to speak, you might have a different idea of what you need to do.
Where to Start?
Redecorating your home is exciting, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Do you tackle the big stuff first? Or go for what’s easy and work outward?
Start Small
Maskot/Getty Images
Our best advice on where to start would be to choose a small room – or even just a corner of a room – to get the ball rolling. Choose your room, gather some ideas, and build your plan based on designs you like and items that fit with your budget.
Explore Your Options
Look at sites like Houzz and Pinterest for inspiration, or browse house and home magazines. Compile a file with some of your favorite ideas and start sourcing the details. Most sites provide links to purchase items you see in the photographs. However, depending on how recent the images are, you might have to think about alternatives, as the items themselves might not be available anymore.
Take your time choosing lighting and furniture. Take measurements, collect swatches, and test paint samples on the walls to see how the colors work with the rest of the design scheme.
Try Feng Shui
Oscar Wong/Getty Images
If you have never decorated a home before, Feng Shui offers some excellent design principles that can help you make decisions on furniture placement, layouts, and so on. A room can be beautifully designed, and yet it might still feel like something is missing. Feng Shui addresses the flow of energy through your living space and can be highly beneficial to your happiness and wellbeing.
Go Minimalist
Minimalism is both trendy and practical right now, and best of all, it’s easy to do. Minimalism doesn’t necessarily mean having no décor; it’s more about the décor that you do have being functional or having a purpose of some sort.
A minimalist palette is generally neutral, with the addition of natural fibers, wood floors, and a few boldly-colored accents to add dimension. The resulting look is simple, clean, uncluttered, and easy to maintain.
Blending Modern and Contemporary Styles
Modern and contemporary design are often mistaken for being one and the same. However, modern design refers to a specific era and design approach, while contemporary style is of the period we are in right now. For example, modern design would have been contemporary anywhere from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Today’s contemporary styles combine several different approaches from modern to minimalist, traditional, farmhouse, and industrial. Mixing and matching within these styles create an eclectic result that is uniquely you.
The beauty of this approach is that you can really get creative. Because there are no rules, you can approach your interior design in a way that will never be duplicated. You don’t have to adhere to any one particular philosophy, so you’re free to let your inner designer run wild.
Add Texture and Dimension
From wallpapersgalore.com
Another way to completely transform the look and feel of a space is to add texture with natural fibers, patterns, rich fabrics, or bold geometric shapes. Rugs, flooring, lampshades, window treatments, wallpaper, natural stone – these are all great ways to add texture and change the look and feel of your interiors.
Are you looking for design inspiration? We’d love to help! Reach out today to learn more about what we do and how we do it.
