Adorning the New Abode

When you move into a new space you want to make it your own so it reflects your personality and style. Decorating can be daunting and sometimes you just don’t know where to start. The deluge of information from books, magazines and TV programs that try to demystify decorating is enough to make your head spin. Here are a few basic tips:

• Start with what you have – if you have some pieces that you love and want to use in your new place start with those and build out the rest around that. For stuff that just won’t work try selling it on Craigslist.com or Ebay.com and you might just make some extra cash for new things that will better suite the new space.
• Plan Color and Texture – designers often create a board on which they clip fabric samples, paint chips and pictures to create a mini version of the components of the room and choose colors. If you have too many colors you’ll get a clown pants effect, if it’s too monochromatic or neutral it will be dull and boring. Putting the colors of your concept together on a board will help you visualize how it will come together. 
• Paint – a fresh coat of paint always makes  a place look better. Paint color is easy to change so this is a chance to experiment and express you style.
• Large furniture – pick your large furniture pieces and be very conscious of scale. Many people cram giant pieces of furniture into little spaces because they didn’t measure ahead of time. In a showroom furniture doesn’t look as big as it does when you finally get it home. Neutral colors for the really big pieces like sofa or dining table are usually a good bet. You can add  pops of color in other ways that are easier to switch out if you get sick of the color. A couch should last you about 10 years so if you buy a bright red one, are you sure you’ll love that shade of red that long?
• Accessories – with paint and large furniture picked out most of the hard part is done. Now you can have fun with color and express your sense of style and point of view. Again be conscious of scale but in this case make sure not to pick too many tiny pieces, pick some large and medium sized items for interest and variety. Create balance on fireplaces or end tables by using symmetrical object like two identical candle holders or vases.
• Plants – add a little green life to a room. Scale comes into play here as well – try a huge houseplant for major impact.