When you purchase your dream home, it’s important to make it feel cosy and customise it to your tastes. Adding your personal stamp to your house is a vital step and takes time and money – but is surely worth it!
Here are some great tips regarding what to focus on when decorating your abode:
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Don’t Rush
When you move into a new house, it can be tempting to make quick decisions to get things looking good straight away. However, always remember that you are starting from scratch. Putting pressure on yourself can lead to regrets down the line – that flock wallpaper for example, can start looking a big naff after the novelty’s worn off. And the pink chaise longue may have seen fun at the time, but it rather looks out of place in a minimalist living room, doesn’t it? Only kidding – the point is that it’s key to get the ‘feel’ of a place first rather than rushing to buy everything at once. If you live in the space for a couple of months, it’s less likely you’ll make snap decisions you’ll regret down the line. This way, you’ll take your time and make choices that are wise, rather than jumping the gun and getting carried away. It will also save you money, as you shop around for the best options, attend auctions etc and get great bargains!
Measurements
Ok, this is the boring part. However, taking the right measurements can save both time and money. When you go out shopping, make sure you take a tape measure. Bigger items in furniture show rooms can often seem larger than they are. If you accurately measure the space you want to fill and go out of your way to make sure your purchases fit this space, you shouldn’t have any problems. Make sure that the items you buy can fit into different parts of house, in case the original positioning isn’t so appealing after a while. Think versatility!
Money, Money, Money
No, we’re not just talking about the Abba song, but about the fact that cold hard cash can be an issue when it comes to adorning your home. It’s true that many people want stunning, original furniture in the home, but it’s not feasible for those on a budget. The great news is that there are many things you can do that don’t cost so much and that make all the difference. For example, white’s always fabulous for walls and is definitely versatile. If a room looks boring, spruce it up with some tasteful wallpaper. Make sure you get samples though – you don’t want to end up with something that you don’t like, but have to live with all the same. Shutters are beautiful, but expensive, so if you’re on a budget, try those fresh wooden blinds instead. Lighting can also make a transformational difference – create your own personal stamp for your room by mastering the lighting effect. As mentioned before, auctions can be a great place to find value for money – just do your research and get there early to suss out the competition.
De-clutter
It may be a cliche, but a spacious home is a happy home. There’s nothing worse than falling over as soon as you open the door due to clutter that’s not been dealt with. In the early days of decorating your home, keeping the ‘stuff’ under control will help to keep you sane! Ensure working spaces are clean; keep decoration minimal until you decide what direction you want to go in. Don’t stress yourself out by having too many goals and expecting too much of yourself. If you’re living with someone else, you may have two of everything – perhaps unnecessarily. Be ruthless in what you throw out and give your surplus goods to charity or to friends in need.
Hopefully these tips have been helpful. Keeping calm (as many postcards say) is very important during those early days of decorating your home. Good luck!
Thanks to Leonard Leese, an estate agents in SE1 for this guest post.
