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Summer is a popular time for home decorating projects - you've got more daylight working hours, you can open the windows to air out paint fumes, and let's face it - sunny, warm weather can be a great motivator for transforming a drab interior into something brighter.
But for many people, tackling a home decorating project can be overwhelming: What do I need? Where do I start? I want a change, but don't know what. Well, help is here. Read on to demystify the home decorating process and start some projects of your own - without fear! |
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Do Your Research, Find Your Style
It's important to develop a clear idea of what you want the finished project to look like before you get started. In order to do that, you'll have to do your research. Pore through interior design books, magazines, and web resources to start identifying the design elements that you are drawn to. |
One especially helpful resource is MyStyle, our online guide to design styles, to discover your design style and get color and accessory recommendations. Or check out Virtual Decorator, an online tool that allows you to mix and match colors to find a style and color combination that is right for you.
These types of resources will help you to determine your design style, which will guide you as you make decisions about furniture, window treatments, and color schemes. Are you Contemporary or Formal? Traditional or Cottage/Casual? While you may like elements from each, look for similarities in your favorite designs. Try keeping a "Design Project Scrapbook" to collect pictures and clippings of designs you love. This will also help you identify patterns and trends in your preferences. |
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Focus on Function
It may seem to be an obvious conclusion that dining rooms are for - well, dining. But it is still important, for every design project you do, to ask yourself, "What will you actually do in the room you're redecorating?"
Thinking about the room's purpose will determine your furniture needs (a room meant for interaction shouldn't be cluttered by extra furniture), color schemes (a room meant for relaxing shouldn't have bold color schemes), and even window treatments (a room meant for sleeping may need room-darkening shades like Matinee Room Darkening cellular shades, pictured at left). |
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Measure and (Floor) Plan
So, you have an idea of your style and color. Now get to know the space you're working with. To do this, you'll need to take measurements. Get the room's dimensions, measure window sizes, and use this to sketch a floorplan.
Set a Budget (for Money and Time)
As with any big project, setting time and money limits are important. It gives you something to work with. You need to consider what your personal needs are and if you will be able to work around the necessary construction in your kitchen.
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Your Best Resources are Free (or already paid for)
Very few people can start from scratch, decorating a empty room from top to bottom. Whether it's not a good time for new furniture, or you have carpeting, countertops, or flooring that you like, some things don't have to change.
If the "here-to-stay" features are things you like, focus on them and make them important. For example, if you have an arched window that you love, it's not time to hide it with a traditional blind. Instead, highlight it with specialty custom window shades, like the Woodwinds Specialty Wood Alloy Blinds pictured at left. |
If your "here-to-stay" features are things you don't like but cannot (or cannot afford to) change, look for ways to downplay them in your newly decorated space. Take furniture, for example. An entire furniture set may not be in the budget, but if you feel the dark furniture you have is weighing the room down, try a lighter paint on the walls to reflect light, and sheer window treatments like Shangri-La Sheer Window Shadings or Ballet Performance Drapery Sheers, which will make the most of natural light. It's amazing what a difference this can make. You may even find you like your furniture after all! |
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Time to Go Shopping
The most fun (and sometimes most scary) step of any redecorating project is shopping! Again, planning is key here. For the best shopping experience, go in knowing what you need. Carry your floorplan, paint chips, and fabric swatches with you to help you make decisions. Your local BlindCrafter can provide you with window treatment fabric swatches to help you in the shopping process.
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And while there is no correct order for shopping, many people recommend purchasing paint last, because it is relatively inexpensive and is available in an almost never-ending variety of colors, so it's easier to find a paint to match your accessories than it is to find accessories to match the paint.
Managing "While We're At It" Syndrome
It happens to even the most amateur of designers: you get the design bug. You start with one little project, and sure enough, you'll find yourself saying "while we're at it, let's (fill in your next decorating project here)". That's okay, just try to devote your energies to one project at a time.
To keep you sane (and to keep your concentration on the project at hand), simply make a "To Do" decorating list that details other projects you'd like to do, and a timeline for each.
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