Happy 2019! We’re excited to start this new year and looking forward to all the amazing possibilities ahead of us. We hope that everyone enjoyed the winter holidays and are now ready to tackle the new year.
A few weeks back, I was talking to a friend who recently purchased her first home with her husband and will soon begin to decorate their new space. She asked if there was any insight I could share that could save them time or money as well as any must have pieces of furniture to splurge on. This is a common question I think most people will ask after purchasing their first home or moving into a more “grownup” place.
Gone are the days of cramped rental-apartment living—you now have a place to make all your own and enjoy for years to come. Since you just made a large investment securing your new abode, the thought of decorating it can be extremely overwhelming. I totally get it, most of us have been in the same position. Between selecting the best paint for your living room to splurging on a new sofa that will fit your space, there’s a lot to consider before you even set a foot in the house. If you’re starting from scratch or hoping to create a home that feels more grown-up than your previous rentals, here are a few suggestions that will make decorating your home enjoyable and much easier than you think.
- First things first, you must figure out what your design style is and how to mesh it with the architecture of the home. One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to home decorating is when the inside of the home does not match the style of the home. I can’t tell you how many beautiful traditional and craftsman style homes I’ve seen that are decorated ultra-modern. It just doesn’t make any sense. If your personal style doesn’t exactly match the style of the home, there are some ways to mesh some styles together. By intentionally incorporating specific design elements, any interior can be transformed into something timeless with style.
- Now that you have determined what style to decorate, you need to figure out where to start. The fastest way to get overwhelmed by a new home is by trying to decorate the whole house at once. Prioritize what rooms are most important to you and make a decorating plan, one room at a time. We recommend starting with your bedroom, after all it’s where you’ll be spending most of your time when you’re at home. If you’re on a tight budget, opt for new bedding, but don’t skimp on thread count! Buy as well as you can afford to spend in this area — it makes a huge difference. For sheets, I love these Fieldcrest sets from Target, if you can get them on sale make sure to buy at least two sets, you won’t regret it.
- If you’re going to invest, do so in the main pieces for every room. Buying a home is probably the biggest investment you’ve made so far, so the last thing you want to do right away is spend even more money furnishing it. It is important to spend money on the essentials, like sofas, bed and dining tables. These pieces will anchor the rooms they sit in and can easily be accessorized with inexpensive items such as toss pillows, bedding and lighting that will help achieve the overall desired look.
- Paint is your best friend: One of the easiest and cheapest ways to transform a blank canvas is by painting it! Repaint each room in a color of your choice. You can paint a wall or a piece of furniture, even change the color of your kitchen cabinets if they’re not to your liking. The best thing about paint, is that it’s easy to change it up if you get bored or don’t like the color.
- Remember that it’ll take time to achieve your ideal look. In the excitement of moving into your first home, it is easy to get carried away in the rush to do everything all at once and fill the space immediately. Decorating your new home is a marathon, not a sprint. The longer you live in the home, the better you will get to know it. Once you’re living in the space you may change your mind about how you want the space to look or function. Obviously, you need the basics in place to live there, but by buying one or two pieces at a time, I think you have a better chance of creating a home that works well and reflects your personality. Investing in one thing at a time will also allow you to save up for higher-quality pieces. As mentioned above, start with essential furnishings for where you will sleep, eat and sit; side tables, buffets/hutch and curtains can all come later; so it’s better not to rush to get it all done at once. The following are some of the elements that can be address over time or changed to fit your evolving style:
- Flooring (carpets, tile, hardwoods, etc.)
- Storage/organization (closets, pantry, etc.)
- Accent tables
- Lighting
- Textiles like pillows and throws
- Wall art
- Window treatments
Decorating a home can be a bit daunting but it’s extremely satisfying. Decide on your style, prioritize your rooms and get started. Your new home will look perfectly put together in no time!
If you need any help coming up with a design plan for your space, we can help you put together the perfect space, whether your budget is big or small. We would love to chat with you about how we can make your design dreams come true!
What has your experience been with decorating your first home? I’d love to hear your stories.
Until next time!
