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Before Decorating
There are 3 things to consider before you decorate:
Top ^Your Decorating Budget
Decorating can be fun, exciting and affordable. Determine how much money you are willing to spend and work within your limits. Figure out how much of the work you can do yourself and what work needs professional attention. With your budget in mind, decide what you want to accomplish first and what can be done after you have lived in your home for a while.
If you are on a tight budget, be sure to shop around to compare prices for products and services. You can make your own décor by combining the things you already own with new things. Being thrifty is part of the decorating challenge, so be creative and have fun.
Top ^Your Decorating Plan
Design elements fit together like puzzle pieces. If they don't match, or are not complete, then your decorated space is not complete.
Take another look at your floor plan.
- Who is going to be using the various areas?
- How often will the different areas be used? What furniture do you have for those areas?
- What do you want the area to look like?
- What will the different rooms be used for?
The purpose of the space may determine how it is furnished and how it will look. Your floor plan will help you visualize where to put the furniture you have and what additional things you may need to fulfill the room’s function.
Paint color, furniture and accessories need to be specific to that space in order to create the appropriate environment. If the space is meant for an office or a study, keep the area free of excess clutter with few distractions, such as a television, or loud artwork. In case you have a children’s area, you may want the space to be bright with plenty of opportunity for storage.
Get your family involved. Remember not everyone in your home has the exact same style as you, so discuss your ideas. Come up with a plan that works for everyone, so everyone feels comfortable in their new home. Compromise on decorating spaces, and make sure the area is functional as well as attractive.
Top ^Your Decorating Style
It is important to have a good idea of the style you are interested in and the effect that you want to achieve. If you are unsure how to define your decorating style, you have a number of options.
Visit your local bookstore or library or even your local grocery store. The clerk or librarian can point you to resources that will give you some great ideas. Check out decorating magazines and look at the various layouts and ideas. Which ones appeal to you and why? Is there a common theme or decorating element that you like? Can it be done within your budget?
Decorating magazines are not only great places to get ideas, but they also offer a lot of information about decorating products, so don’t forget to look at the advertisements.
Remember the various model homes you visited. Was there something that appealed to you that you would like to duplicate in your home? Remember model homes are designed to look good on a budget. If you see something you like, find out how it was done.
Don’t forget about the Internet. You can use one of the popular search engines, (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to get both general and specific information about home decorating products and techniques.
At Royce Builders, we are always happy to assist our homebuyers in developing their own sense of style. We encourage you to visit our beautifully decorated Model Homes as well as our Design Center. We have many creative ideas that can help you personalize your new home.
I am prepared to decorate, teach me the basics!
