Home Décor

Home Décor

Everyone wants to do up their homes really well but many of us don’t really know how to get started. Or what exactly to do when we get down to decorating? Of course there are professional decorators who specialize in creating beautiful homes for people but how many of us can afford them? Most of us have to rely on our own resources and creative instincts and ideas to design and decorate our interiors. And usually the results are great! Often the most warm, inviting and lived in homes are done up by the occupants themselves. It really isn’t tough decorating your home, once you figure out what you want to do with the space and how exactly you’re need to go about it.

Factors to consider before you start decorating

Have a vision for each room: You should be clear about how you want each of your rooms to look like. Is there going to be a theme for each room? Is there a specific color preference for every room? If you have a clear vision for each space, shopping for furniture and accessories for each room becomes much simpler.

Know the space you’re decorating: Take measurements, draw sketches and do all your groundwork before you buy even a single piece of furniture or any accessory. What will fit where, what will look good where…all these questions then get answered automatically!

Allocate a budge: Work within a budget. This will automatically eliminate a lot options and also save you from financial shocks after your decorating project is over.

Make a list: List all that you have and separately list out all that you will require. Do this for each room. This way, you will buy exactly what you need.

Research extensively: Read, visit, browse, ask questions, compare prices….do all it takes to get the best possible options and the best deals.

Elements that determine your home’s aesthetic appeal

While a well designed home is a blend of ingenious ideas and stylish and functional furniture and accessories, it is the accurate treatment of each space, and each element that ultimately defines your home’s character.

Style: There are various different styles to choose from. Is yours going to be Contemporary, English country, Zen, Traditional, Moroccan, Victorian, Cottage, Eclectic or anything else? Once you determine a style, you can easily get furniture and accessories that compliment it. You could also opt for a different theme for each room. This adds a lot of interest to the interiors where each space is different and exciting.

Color: Color, they say plays a vital role in what kind of energy your home exudes. It also reflects the kind of person you are. If you love bright warm colors, you’re probably quite energetic and vibrant yourself. If on the other hand, your preference is soothing cool colors like blue and green, you are the cool, calm sorts. By all means, color the walls in the shades you love but don’t go overboard with the reds and yellows. Use these, say on one wall instead on all the walls. It will look striking without being loud and overpowering.

Theme: Themes also determine colors. A Moroccan theme would entail the use of bright colors while a completely modern look may warrant that you paint all your walls white. Keep this in mind too when choosing a shade for your walls. Smaller rooms should be painted in lighter shades. This makes them look larger. You can go with darker colors for larger spaces.

Furniture: Furniture forms a major part of your home décor. While choosing furniture, make sure you know what sizes would fit into the spaces you have earmarked for these pieces. Furniture should make a home look warm and comfortable without making it look cluttered, so don’t stuff a room with too much furniture, especially if your room is small. Never compromise on furniture quality as this is something that’s going to last you a long time. If you’ve going with one particular style, pick up furniture pieces that blends in. You cannot have a carved dining table if modern is the style you’ve chosen. It will look terribly out of place. Sometimes all you need to do is change the upholstery of your couch to make it fit in. Determine if what you have can be used with a little refurbishing before you buy any new furniture. The couch in the living room, the bed in the dining room and the dining table in the dining room - these are the pieces around which these rooms are decorated. Make sure they are the best you can buy.

Lighting: During the day, bring in as much natural light as possible. There’s no better way to make a room bright and cheerful. There are however some people who don’t like too much brightness. They can opt for suitable window treatments. For the night, there are limitless lighting possibilities available today to suit everyone’s style and budget. Use these effectively to set the mood in each room. In addition to wall and ceiling lamps, use floor lamps, table lamps and concealed lighting to add that special touch. Use lighting options that are space appropriate. A reading lamp is a must for every study room, the bedroom should have soft lighting and the living room can be made to look warm and inviting with a mix of floor lamps, table lamps and wall or ceiling lights.

Accessories: Undoubtedly the most interesting part of decorating your home. From walls, floors, ceilings to doors, windows, fittings and furniture, there is an accessory for every part of your home.

Paintings, mirrors, photos frames, candles and candle holders, vases, indoor fountains, wall décor, clocks, ethanol fireplaces, rugs, kitchen accessories, bathroom accessories, there are a plethora of products available in different materials, shapes, sizes and budgets to suit your needs. Choose your accessories with care and attention. Accessories should complement your interiors perfectly and not look jarring or out of place. Keep your style in mind when choosing your accessories. Stainless Steel accessories complement a contemporary setting perfectly. A carved wooden mirror would blend in nicely with a Victorian/traditional style. Sometimes a beautiful accessory can even become the focal point of a room.

20 tips to help you decorate your home better

1. Make your own choices. Don’t let anyone else decide what your home should look like. Even it you take professional help, have an opinion and express it.
2. Consider the functions of a room before you buy furniture and accessories for it. For instance a study cum guest room will need a sleeping arrangement in addition to a desk.
3. Buy large elements first and then coordinate the rest of the furniture and accessories with it.
4. Buy the best quality furniture you can.
5. First buy furniture and furnishings and then color your walls. You can paint your walls any color but matching furniture, carpets and curtains with the color of your walls may not be easy.
6. A color can look totally different in a store. Don’t choose color before trying it in your home. Paint a small section of the wall or paint a cardboard and hold it against your wall to determine how it’s going to look in your home setting.
7. Determine one focal point for each room. It could be a piece of furniture, a gorgeous rug, a picture, a textured wall or anything else. Then build the rest of the space around it.
8. Allow for walking space or pathways in your rooms. Furniture and accessories should never be a hindrance to free movement.
9. Repeat colors, fabrics, décor elements all over your home. This will thread together even differently treated and decorated rooms
10. No area should be too furniture or accessory heavy. Spread out the elements to create a balance in every room.
11. Choose accessories that accentuate the color and style of a room.
12. Symmetry is very important in formal rooms. In informal room you can be as asymmetrical as you like
13. Go for a mix of textures in a room. Smooth, rough, shiny, dull – all add interest to any space
14. In a plain boring room try and add detailing like wall panels and crown molding
15. Create visual interest around the more attractive elements in the room. Underplay the not so exciting ones.
16. Don’t push all furniture against the walls, unless your room is very small. Try and arrange furniture in small groups for easy conversation and if possible move it to the centre of the room.
17. Don’t get influenced by trends. Trends are short lived but you can’t change your interiors every now and then. Instead go for things that have timeless appeal.
18. Don’t keep mismatched pieces of furniture. Try and repaint, reupholster, refurbish to make it fit. If it still doesn’t, just junk it.
19. Personalize your home. This is what will make it unique. Put up photographs of friends and family and personal memorabilia. But don’t overburden any space. Don’t put up everything you have on display. The best thing to do is rotate personal collectibles. Have different ones on display every month.
20. Add a touch of nature to the surroundings. Arrange fresh flowers and green plants around your home. This will impart a fresh look and feel to the space

Your home is your private space on this planet. By designing and decorating it thoughtfully and interestingly, you can create a haven of luxury and comfort for yourself and your family.