How to Design a Home You’ll Love For Years
Whether you’ve moved into a new space recently, or you’re just looking to spruce up a space that’s starting to feel a bit dated, chances are, you’re discovering the art of design is a little more complicated than hitting up the flea market and hoping for the best. Don’t let that intimidate you! It’s true that renovations and decorating can get expensive and messy in a hurry if you’re not careful. However, with a plan in place, decorating can be fun and even relaxing! Follow these tips to design a home you’ll love for years, and save yourself the hassle of redecorating every season.
- Think About Personal Style
When it’s a question of style, it’s all about personal taste. Yes, of course, you want something timeless, and of course, you don’t want to miss out on fantastic trends, no matter the era you’re living in – but you should also be thinking about your home. What do you want it to say about you? Are you a jet-setter, or a homebody? Do you put family first, or dive headlong into your creative endeavors? Are you a romantic, or a fan of the ultramodern? Think about who you are, and what colors and styles will reflect that best in your space. It’s a great touchstone to come back to if you’re feeling uncertain about whether to buy a piece of furniture or go with a particular color or pattern.
- Choose the Right Base Colors
The secret to how to match and contrast your colors the right way is all about finding the right base colors. Your best chance is to choose something neutral, of course. However, the colors you choose to accent with will be enhanced if you put some thought in your base colors. Are you going with off-white or white? Will you choose grey, beige, or brown? A starker, white wall will give your home a modern flare and can go with any color scheme, but it’s tough to keep it from looking too dingy. Browns, beiges or earth tone can provide a great backdrop for a warm and natural environment, and stone or other shades of grey offer a clean modern look with more texture and color. It all depends on what you want your space to feel like.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Splurge On Big Items
The first rule of interior design is to spend your big money on big-ticket items. A classic dining room set, a leather sofa and chairs set, or the great four-poster bed you’ve always wanted. Big furniture pieces act as focal points that anchor your eye and the room. So if you’re going to splurge, it should be on these pieces. At the same time, these more expensive choices should be able to last you more than a season, so go with timeless neutral color and design, in textures and styles that will last.
- Try Some Layering
A great way to show off your style is with a little layering. Mix and match texture, colors and patterns in accent pillows that can be easily swapped out when the whims of style demand. If you’ve got an ultra-modern open plan style home, get some soft furnishings and a nice big area rug to pull the place together and keep it warm and homey. Don’t overdo it with throw pillows and blankets, but take the opportunity to soften the place up with pops of color in your choice of soft furnishings.
- Keep Collections Together
We’ve talked about the importance of personal style when it comes to your home. Having said that, you don’t want to clutter the place up with knickknacks and antique shop finds. This can create confusion of style, and make the place look disorganized and too cluttered. Instead, find ways to display your collections proudly. If you’ve got a collection that goes together, get a wall shelf, or hang it up together some other way. If you’ve got a mix of collections in particular colors, or along a particular theme, go ahead and group them together, on a shelf, on the wall, or whatever surface space is available to you. That keeps it looking more purposeful, rather than just stuffing your home full of things.
- Add Some Green
How’s this for a classic design tip? Add in some living plants! Greenery can help keep your air fresher and healthier inside and adds an inspiring pop of color when and where you need it. If you don’t have much of a green thumb, try easy-growing ferns, cacti, or go with stalks of bamboo, which require almost no upkeep, and can produce twice as much oxygen in your home than the average houseplant!
Redecorating can seem like a daunting task. How matching is too matching? What colors work best? How do you stay on trend, without looking dated, or keep it timeless without looking bland? When it comes to your home, style is personal. It’s not a good idea to spend on expensive on-trend items that won’t last a season. It’s also important to make space for yourself, and your personality to shine through your home. Get the most out of your decorating by following these design tips to create a look you’re sure to love, as you and your family grow with your home.
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