We are rapidly approaching the time of the year when we are going to spend the most time inside. It is important to approach this season, with the goal of comfort and individual style in mind.
To begin anything, having a plan is a must. Create a budget for the redecorating, and if possible breaking it down by room, and general idea would be the most prudent. Aim for the most accurate and family friendly budget available to you. Doing this will help avoid financial mistakes during the decorating process.
Once you're settled on a budget the next thing to keep in mind is the mood you want to create using the 3 major influences, Color, Style, and Formality. Each one is individual to you and your home.
Color is the simplest one to approach. If you do not already have a color or color array in mind, look in a book, magazine or just find some one who has one you like and borrow it. If that doesn't clear the color thought up, try a simple to fail approach of your favorite color plus white or plus black, or if you're going bold, your favorite color plus both. Personally for our uses, I will be going with a soft blue and white with yellow accents.
Style will take a little creativity on your part. Lets say you love the old cottage house, or perhaps you're more of an eclectic person, either way do what works for you. Keep in mind that if you design with some one else's home to "measure up to" you will not be happy with the results. Once you have chosen the basic style, give the theme for the room a name, for example let's use the cottage house idea. Personally I envision gingham in white and light blue, thus I might title it Sunny Bunny Blue. This gives both visual, and mental cues as to how the final product should look..
The last major influence that needs consideration early on is the formality of each room. Is this going to be the place for your guests or a place to socialize in a comfortable informal setting? Lets say our example with the Sunny Bunny Blue applies to a family room, for me that would be an informal choice. Thus there would be no need for identical balance on both sides, instead I may have it feel comfortably lived in, but not cluttered. Organized but not exacting as my formal dining room might be.
Ok, so for our example we are decorating an informal family room, with a Sunny Bunny Blue feel. When we go shopping that idea needs to be in the forefront of my mind. Any thing found for the family room would need to fit into those colors, and feel or it is left on the shelf.
In the search, keep an open mind about everything. Lets say there is an end table that fits the theme, in premise, but the color is off, buy a flat sheet to cover it with. Some flat sheets are small, or around 3 yards. If you've ever shopped for fabric, you know that 3 yards for 3 dollars is a steal, it's possible with this alternative in mind. They work great in other ways too, such as casual slipcovers, instead of expensive re-upholstering work. If you can catch a deal you can always stock up in colors that fit the plan. With a creative mind, you can always find uses for fabric.
When you start shopping for furniture, remember yard sales, discount stores, and classifieds, including places like craigslist and blurbpage. These resources will help you to find quality furniture for a fraction of the cost of new furniture. If you should find several items in different shades and colors, that you like, remember a coat of paint goes a long way. Painting everything one unified color can bring new life to older pieces. It also helps you to merge the room together to fit your scheme, or as we discussed before, the fabric you stocked up on would also work great to bring the room together.
The final touch for any great design, fashion or interior is accessories. Accessories are great accents to any room, and can be found or created inexpensively. Remember there are thrift shops with pictures, frames, candles holders, and more that may bring a touch of pizzazz to what you are seeking.
With forethought, creativity, and a well planned budget, any home, any room can be decorated artistically. Bringing your room together will the excitement you feel looking at it.
