Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Unless you are a professional, you are probably not thinking very systematically about your decorating decisions – you are just choosing what you like. But working without a plan is a sure way to make costly mistakes and to spend more than you think you should. Here are some key ideas to make sure you are doing it the right way the first time.
Evaluate what you have
Too often you can get fixated on that one negative thing in your current design scheme: the colour of the walls, or a couch that the kids or dog have worn out. But when you replace that one design element, how will everything else be affected? Instead of just focusing on one element, think about how everything in your rooms works or doesn’t work together. Write down a list of pros and cons.
Organize around themes
Now that you know what you like or don’t like about each room you plan to decorate, think about what tone or feeling you want the rooms to convey. You’ve probably never articulated it, but those elements you don’t like are probably working against the tone you wish your room had. For instance, you may have originally liked the paint colour you used for the dining room, but now you see that its coldness is making the room unwelcoming. For each room, try to think of a few adjectives to describe the feelings you want people to have in the room. For example, you might want your family room to be warm and cozy and your breakfast nook to feel fresh and energizing.
Look for inspiration
No one, not even great designers, can come up with anything without any context or inspiration. While you are evaluating and planning, gather as much information as possible. Read design magazines and keep a scrapbook or folder of your favourite images. Don’t be hindered by cost or the feeling the design is too ambitious. Let your imagination go wild. You will likely never use the majority of the images you gather for your own project, but some of the things you find will unexpectedly inspire you.
Make a plan – and stick to it
After you have found your inspiration and theme for each room, start picking out specific things to do (ie, replace the coffee table, buy a piece of art, re-upholster the couch, etc.). For each item, write down the cost in an excel spreadsheet. In this way, you can ensure your project is within budget – something many decorators do not pay enough attention to.
As well, start planning how long everything will reasonably take, and mark it down in a calendar. And be realistic! You may feel that you can paint the entire ground floor of your house in a weekend, but half-finishing a project or rushing will make redecorating a bigger chore than it has to be.
Keep it playful
Decorating can be a complicated and costly task. However, thinking your decoration scheme through beforehand, and keeping your decisions realistic will also make sure it is enjoyable. Good luck, and have fun!
Heleen Jacobsen
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.infomarketgroup.com
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