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The Basics of Decorating:  A few handy tips to make your DIY design project a success!

Objective: The first, and most important, step when undertaking any home redecorating project is to determine your objective for the space.  It might be to brighten up a dull kids room, or to create a more functional family room or dining room, or to add a sophisticated edge to a master bedroom or ensuite.  Whatever the objective is, laying it out on paper will help to ensure that all the subsequent decisions you make will help you to achieve the desired outcome.

Budget: Next, come up with a budget for your interior design project that includes materials, labor, professional consultation fees, building permits, as well as your own time.  Also, consider the timeframe of the project (i.e. one-day decorating or a six month redo?).  Whether you need a cheap room design, or a full-scale teardown and renovation, it is always best to determine your financial parameters before you begin. Also, leave a margin of at least 10% to allow for any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

Focal point(s): This will vary in every room, but the main focal point is usually an inherent architectural feature such as a fireplace, large window, or archway that will be the primary visual focus.  If your room lacks built-in focal points, or if you want to downplay the existing focal points, you can create new ones with a creative mix of furniture, accessories and artwork.

Colors: Choosing paint colors can be a daunting, and sometimes overwhelming task.  Try to select a room color scheme that ties in the different elements of the space, like furniture, accessories, and artwork.  The overall look should be unified, without being too matchy-matchy.  Also, muddier colors with a grey undertone (known in the design world as “tones” will be far more versatile than pastel colors or black based hues when mixing the different elements of the room.

Materials: Your choice of materials will include everything from the architectural features like doors, hardware, and molding, to your furnishings, both hard and upholstered, and accessories and artwork.  Choosing the most suitable materials for your space will not only contribute to the look, but also the comfort, practicality, and feel of the room.

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Furniture Arrangement: When it comes to space planning, first measure the length and width of the room, as well as all of the large furniture pieces that will be going into it.  Then, create a scale drawing of your room and map out different arrangements to see which ones provide the best use of space, accessibility, and traffic flow.  Try to leave at least 36” clearance in traffic areas when arranging the furniture to ensure maximum functionality.

Lighting: Your choice of lighting can literally make or break your room.  Everything from the rendering of your paint and upholstery colors, to the basic functionality and safety of the room are dependent on the type, intensity, and location of the light sources.  A variety of low wattage light sources is best to create versatile lighting for a multitude of different functions, and to avoid dark corners and shadows.  Also, consider the primary usage of the room: for instance, a home office will require different task lighting than a living room.

Accessories: After paint and furniture, accessories and room accents are the other major way to add impact to your room design.  Start with a few larger accessories (such as a large vase placed beside the fireplace in your living room), then create groupings with your smaller accessories.

Resources

When it comes to decorating your home there are many different sources for interior design information:

If you’re decorating on a budget, there are several free interior design resources available for the novice do-it-yourselfer, including online forums and blogs, books and magazines from the library, as well as informal (and usually unsolicited) advice from friends and family.  These can be great starting points for ideas, but often don’t provide the specific information you need for your room enhancement project.

Software-based interior design programs give you a visual representation of your room, but lack the guidance to help you decide on the specifics.  The “free” consultations offered at home-improvement and furniture stores are often more geared toward selling merchandise than providing sound design advice.

Does it all seem a bit overwhelming?

For the best room design advice it is always advisable to consult with the pros.  Whether you’re designing a new home or just renovating, professional guidance can save you both time and money.  Traditional in-home interior decorating services can be helpful, but are often costly, time-consuming, and difficult to fit into a busy schedule.

Online Decorating

Online room decoration is a convenient, cutting-edge, cost effective way to get personalized decoration advice from the convenience of your computer.

At decorateITonline, our comprehensive online interior design service gives you all the tools you need to create your dream space.  From small apartment or condo decoration to an estate house renovation, we can make the decision process as convenient and stress-free as possible.

Whether you just need a bit of help designing a room, home staging advice, decorating tips, or a full home makeover, our team of talented online home decorating professionals provide you with a personalized portfolio filled with easy-to-understand, creative, and affordable interior design suggestions, recommendations, tips, and advice, to make your project a success!