You Know Your Home Needs a New Look When…

Have friends started declining your invitations for dinner because your décor causes them to loose their appetites? Is your living room (once the life of the party) starting to feel like a wallflower? Does your kitchen look like it belongs in the pages of a catalog…from 1982? Maybe you’re starting a new phase of your life and want your home to reflect your changes. Maybe you’ve just bought a house and have no idea how to fill all the rooms on a small budget. Maybe you just feel like a change. Whatever the reason, it’s time to update your living space. With a few creative ideas, finding a look that fits your unique sense of style is easy to do, no matter what your budget.

First Things First

Take a few moments to study the room (or rooms) you want to decorate. What adjectives come to mind when you think about how you would like the room to feel? Do you long for a bedroom that is a calm and soothing retreat? Would you rather have your living room feel cozy or energizing? Jot down some of the words and ideas that come to mind when you think about your ideal room. This will give you a base to start from.

Let’s say you’re trying to make your dining room feel more welcoming. What colors and textures seem welcoming to you? What accents have you seen in other dining rooms that made you feel welcome? When you’re in doubt about a color or an item just compare it to your vision of what you want the room to feel like.

It may also be helpful to keep a notebook of ideas cut out from magazines and catalogs. Knowing what you like will help you save both time and money as you decorate and make it easy to find the least expensive way to deck out your dream room.