Tips for Making Decorating Choices You'll Love to Live With
We've all heard the tips on how to decorate to sell your house -- keep colors neutral, get rid of clutter, and arrange furniture to make rooms appear more spacious. But what if you don't want to sell your home -- you want to stay? How do you decorate with that in mind? Luckily, there are no rules when it comes to decorating your own home.
Do Your Homework...
The first step to successful design is figuring out what you like in de cor. Flip through design books and magazines and pay attention to which types of styles you enjoy, cutting out pictures of things you like. Watch the wide variety of design shows on television and visit model homes. Jot down lots of descriptive notes to help you capture everything you like. Ask yourself questions like: "Is this room too formal or casual for me? Are the colors too light or too dark? Is it too busy or is there too much empty space?" These are great ways to figure out what sorts of design elements you enjoy.
Use the Web for Resources...
The Internet has made research and planning easier than ever -- and it is right at your fingertips! If you"re not sure whether you are more casual or formal in your decorating tastes, you can take quizzes online to find out. Visit "Better Homes and Gardens" online at www.bhg.com to take their decorating attitude quiz and hone in on your personal style. Also check out their "Arrange-a-Room" page to use their home designer software. This program allows you to redecorate without ever leaving your chair! You can lay out rooms and decide how many pieces of furniture you can fit and try different ways of arranging them.
To learn about color choices and what works best for your space, visit Glidden Paints online at www.glidden.com and use their Color@Home Paint Visualizer to see what various colors will look like in a room.
Also try Lowe's How To Library at www.lowes.com for project ideas and strategies and HGTV at www.hgtv.com to learn more about the projects you see on their shows.
If you're looking to make product choices, turn to the online world and spend your time making decisions from the comfort of your own couch instead of spending hours debating in the aisles. Many manufacturers have put their entire product offerings online for customer viewing.
Whatever your choices, don't be concerned with what's trendy at the moment or what seems to please others. If you're planning to live there for a good amount of time, make decorating choices that will make you happy for years to come!