subject: Home Interior Decorating - You Could Do It Too! [print this page] Home interior Decorating does not have to be done by a professional to look like a million bucks. Even the most decorating challenged can perform this task if they simply follow a few simple rules. If you follow a few do's and don'ts you will come out with a room you can be comfortable with and will be proud to entertain in.
Are you a new homeowner or maybe just got your first place? You see a blank canvas and are overwhelmed with the question of what to do now? Don't fear, start small, with one room and work your way up to the larger tasks. When selecting the room consider the scale of the project you are willing to take on.
Take time to read decorating magazines, clipping pictures of styles you like, color schemes you find exciting and maybe ideas for faux painting techniques. When you have settled on a room and style you are ready to begin your project. It is easy to want to just jump in and get started but there are a few steps you should take first to ensure your project does not become overwhelming or so unorganized that you lose inspiration.
Now that you have a general idea of some styles you like and you have selected a room a your first project identify the focal point of that room. The focal point can be a certain spot in the room that draws the most attention such as a fireplace or entry way, maybe an entertainment area. The focal point can help set the mood of the room. Working up a sketch of the space including the focal point will give you the opportunity to assemble proper placement of other items in the space. Your local design center will usually have tools to help you draw the room to scale. This step is a time and money saving step you won't want to skip.
Your room is sketched and focal point identified, no to the next step, selecting a focal piece for the space. Do you have a piece of artwork you want to showcase? Maybe an area rug or dish pattern, possibly some fabrics you picked up on a vacation. The piece can set the tone to the room so select it carefully. You want to "live" in this space and be able to embrace the design as a part of you.
Making a list of items you wish to take to the design center with you will help to make your trips fewer and more successful. Selecting the paint scheme for the room presents its own set of challenges, but none that can not be overcome with a little help from the store associates or designers as well as your own organization. Some of the items to take with you will be fabric swatches, magazine clippings with paint ideas and a picture of the focal piece you have chosen to utilize. This takes the guess work out on selecting your paint color and will help the associate give you other design suggestions that you may not have thought of.
When selecting furnishing for the room, purchase your larger items first. Pay attention to scale and balance for the room. Keeping in mind as well function and uses of the room. This is where sketching your room will come in handy. You have the opportunity to try out a few different looks before settling on one. Again saving time and money during the project.
Uniting elements in your space will make the design flow strong and influential. The room should flow with ease and allow the eye to follow completely through the space without interruption. If the space includes an open view of another room it is more design friendly to include that space in the color and decorating pattern of the first room.
There are often many functions performed in any given room in your home. Because of this you must consider your lighting choices and what they should include. Will task lighting be the first element to be decided on or maybe ambient lighting for mood and atmosphere of the space. General lighting is often included in older structures, however, the newer architecture will leave the lighting up to the design of the room, making it your choice. Do you have featured pieces in a room that will need dramatic lighting to enhance the viewing enjoyment of those pieces. Your lighting needs should also be included in your sketch and pre-planning of your project.
The most important rule to remember is rules are meant to be broken. Design should be fun and spark creativity. Allow yourself to be playful in a room and to set an atmosphere for not only yourself but your guests that says imagination is welcome in this space. Don't stifle you creative juices by worrying too much about the do's and don'ts. Open your mind, harness imagination and ride it to the dream room or space you are creating.
