If you moved house and don’t know how to start decorating it, don’t worry anymore!
Here we are going to explain how you can start.
Step 1. Inspiration and style.
The first step to start decorating your new home is to know where you are going and for this you need to have a plan.
Many people don’t know what style of decorating they like, it’s not that they don’t have an opinion they just don’t know how to prioritize their preferences.
The easiest way to find out what appeals to you is to look at photos of other spaces that catch your eye. Today with social media we have it very easy, dive into Pinterest, Instagram, blogs…this is how you will start with collecting information.
You can create a board on Pinterest by spaces, at first you may have an identity crisis, but you will discover little by little that many patterns repeat themselves. We’ll call this part your wish list.
Once you have all your inspiration in one place, find the connecting threads, you have to sit down and compare them.
What are the common denominators? In terms of color, which one is predominant? If you are not clear which colors to use, this post can help you. The style of the furniture: straight lines, all accessories in the same style or do you like to mix and match? What is the density of objects in the space? Do you have a penchant for a particular style?
If you need some extra help at this point, we have created a deco style test that will make your job much easier, plus you will receive a guide with tips about your style so you can implement them in your new home.
Once you have done this work, identify the elements that catch your attention and use these pieces, textures and materials as the basis of your design plan.
It is also very important that you take into account the architecture of the space you are looking at in photos that inspire you and the limitations you might have in your own space.
At this point, we will have already given a more concrete form to our gallery of ideas, with all this information we will already have defined the color palette, style, type of furniture and textures, to help you in your future decisions.
Step 2. Decide on your functional needs
To make the space not only beautiful (it wouldn’t make any sense), but comfortable, practical and functional, you need to write down your needs.
For example, you love giant sofas, but is it practical for your lifestyle? Does it fit well in your living room? It is essential to identify your needs.
Consider how many people for example you will have as regular guests in your dining room. What kind of activities do you like to do? Do you love to play board games, sleep on the couch or have Netflix marathons?
Let your lifestyle guide your decorating plan. These types of questions tailored to you are the ones that should be answered before you move on.
Step 3. Inventory
Take an inventory of the furniture you have and want to take advantage of, decide if each piece has a place in your new home.
Is there a place for your favorite painting, does your old headboard fit in your new bedroom?
If you have furniture or accessories that no longer fit you, a great option is to sell them on Wallapop, I leave you this post that will help you buy and sell without being cheated.
Remember at every stage of our lives we have some needs, you can mix styles that will add personality to your decor, only you can judge what pieces will make the difference.
Step 4. Budget
Figure out how much you can afford to spend. If you can’t afford to decorate your whole house at once, choose the space where you spend most of your time and prioritize it.
This way, if you have clutter in the rest of your home, we all know what moving is like, you will always have a finished space where you can feel comfortable and disconnect.
Create your overall budget from the beginning. Be realistic with the numbers down to the last cent, don’t forget to include everything you are going to need, all the little details add up.
Step 5. Plan and measure the space
Now that you know what you need, it’s time to plan the layout of your space, and place the items you need on a floor plan to see what fits and what doesn’t, in other words it’s time to measure! If you do not know how to do it I leave you this post where I explain in a video how to measure a room step by step how to do it.
Make sure your plan does not miss a floor plan to decorate, follow these simple steps:
First draw the perimeter of your space freehand, you can use graph paper to make it easier for you.
Step 6. Select the furniture
Now that we have our list of needs and gallery of ideas, we have a good starting point, let’s start with the fun part!
It’s time to shop for the furniture you like. As you select each piece, add the price to your budget spreadsheet. If you go over, try to make composites until you square it with your budget.
Most items can be found in a wide variety of prices and styles, so don’t be afraid to shop around to see if you can find a similar item at a better price.
Always take the floor plan with you when you go shopping. Furniture looks much smaller in a store display than it will in your home. You’d be surprised at the people who buy furniture and get home and it doesn’t fit.
Step 7. Lighting
Once you have the plan created with the furniture, use that same plan to draw your lighting plan. Consider all the possibilities (pendants, sconces, floor lamps, table lamps, etc.) and keep in mind which lighting you will need an electrician for and which you will not.
It may be a cliché in decorating, but good lighting really is everything. Lighting affects the ambiance and mood of a space. Get it right and your overall decor will win, which is why I’m going to expand on this point.
General tips for good lighting;Consider ceiling height. Knowing the ceiling height is critical to selecting a pendant light. Some come with adjustable wires or rods, but others do not, if they are fixed you have to take this into account.
Step 8. Color on the walls
You might think that the best time to choose the paint is at the beginning, but we prefer to choose it at the end, why? It’s easier to choose a shade to complement your entire furniture collection than the other way around. Choose paint samples and compare them with the furniture you have chosen until you find the perfect match.
Color is one of the most noticeable elements when you walk into a home.
It is a very important part, because the wrong palette or color scheme can ruin your decor.
It is essential to do a test, and observe it at various times of the day depending on the sunlight.
Choose your color palette. If it is difficult to decide you can use as a starting point, a painting that you love or for example a carpet.
Step 9. Finishes, fabrics and textures.
Choosing the right fabrics and textures for your home is very important; however, it can be quite a feat due to the large number of materials, textures and colors available.
Most likely, at this point you are wondering: Where do I start?
Cool and warm colors:
Warm colors such as red, orange and yellow, provide energy, so it is advisable to use them in the spaces of the house with more activity.
Cool colors such as blue help us to relax, and are suitable for the bedroom as a place to relax and rest.
Color can affect emotions and our behavior, and getting it right in your decor can be a crucial element.
Step 10. Add personal touches that tell your story
You’re creating and design of your home and it needs to speak to you, your story. We love to fill our spaces with items from our childhood, pieces from our family members, mementos from your travels.
Those pieces are what make a house a home, a reflection of who lives there, of your family.
A room that looks magazine-worthy is nice, but nothing can match a room that is decorated from the heart.
