Introduction to Interior Design and Home Decor
Most people have a rough idea of what they would want their homes to look like but do not know how to go about it. It might be hard to admit it but the concepts of interior design and home decor are not as easy as they appear in magazines and various websites. That said, it is important to bring up the fact that, interior design and home decor, when perceived and implemented in the right manner, have a very positive impact.
Studies have established that there is a direct correlation between a person’s level of happiness and the nature of their surroundings. That way, we can influence our mental and emotional wellbeing by setting up our environment to help us achieve certain emotions, which in most cases should be positive. Below is a quick guide on the 6 important steps to consider when decorating your new home
1. Research on brands and style
Research is the foundation upon which all the best interior design and house decor projects rest. You need to have a good idea of what these concepts entail, and how they are usually implemented. This will come in handy in helping you spot items from various brands that will go with your preferred style, as well as equipping you to explain to the people who are inspired by the beauty of your home. You may have heard of Scandinavian interior design for instance. This style is quite outstanding with elements such as the use of sleek oak wood, unique linen fabrics, as well as uplifting color palettes. With a perfect understanding of such a style of interior design, it is easier for you to make your living place a haven of peace.
Some websites such as Yorkshire Fabric Shop, Reforma Sthlm, House Doctor, Bloomingville and Ib Laursen are an excellent source of information about various interior design brands and styles. You can have a look at what is presented in them to get a clear picture of what these two concepts entail.
2. Prepare a list of your needs
Once you have determined your style, you can proceed to create a list of all pieces of furniture you will need to settle in your new home. This should be easy and fun since you will get the opportunity to plan for every single room in your house. With your bedroom, for instance, you can include the following items:
- Bed
- Blankets
- Cushions
- A nightstand
- A couch
- And may more.
Provided that you are working with a defined budget, it will be very easy for you to create a list that will capture all the items that you need for every room in your house. You can also define the type of furniture fabric that you want to have on your furniture in this step, but for example, writing “velvet couch” instead of “couch”. This will help you make your list more specific.
3. Visualize each nook and cranny
Having accumulated sufficient knowledge about various brands and styles, you can also proceed to visualize how you would want your new home to look like. You can take a mental tour of every room in your house and visualize the decor in every room. You can, for instance, visualize the colors that you will use in your kitchen, by imagining how the plates, tables, flower vases, and any other decor will look like. This will also call for you to imagine where you will place each item in your room. You can update your list in step 2 if you realize that you left out an important item during the list creation process. With a clear idea of what you want in your home, you can proceed to step 4.
4. Budget strategically and shop
Moving into your new home should not mark the beginning of financial distress. As much as you will be required to fork out a large amount of money to purchase the new items in your house, you should spend wisely. By wisely, I simply mean that you should not overspend or under spend. You should only purchase what lies within your spending capacity. If you decide to under spend on some items, you may end up having to replace them over and over again; hence you should have the quality aspect in mind.
Budgeting strategically calls for you to come up with a very structured shopping list. You can simply use the “needs list” you created in step 2 to create the budget. To ensure that you do not leave out any item, you can structure the budget in such a way that it has sections for each room, where you will indicate all you will need. Once you are satisfied with what you have on your list, you can then proceed to shop for them.
5. Put everything into place
The thrill of seeing what you visualized and purchased kicks at the moment you receive the first item at your doorstep. It is now time to put it all together, in readiness for the new life that you will be living upon the reception of all the items. Since some items can be quite heavy to lift, move around and assemble, you can invite some friends or family members over to help you with that. You will definitely create fun and memorable times with your loved ones as they all help you put it all together.
6. Sit and enjoy your dream home
Now that you have put everything together and decorated your new home, it is now time to sit back and reap the fruits of the effort that you have put into the entire process. Begin to appreciate the comfort and aesthetic value of each item in your new home, and watch how this gradually elevates your mood and transforms you positively in quite a number of aspects.
Author Bio: Javed Soni is from Yorkshire Fabric Shop, one of the finest shop online for furnishing fabrics to make blinds, curtains & cushions.
