Home decorating ideas are always so fun to come up with. Whether you’re trying to revamp your look or want some new décor for the season, these are 15 home decorating ideas that will help inspire and start you right!
I remember when we first bought our house, we were excited but had no idea what direction to take with the design of it. We wanted some major changes but didn’t know where or how to start. That’s when we spent hours scouring through the Net to distill some foundational elements of home decorating, regardless of design style.
Decorating your home with style and elegance, while keeping it affordable, is easier than you may think. As a homeowner, it’s important to keep in mind that the space you have provides opportunities for creativity, not limitations. There are some fundamental elements that will help guide you through the process without making it feel too complicated.
Read on for 15 must do home decorating tips:
- Start with flat surfaces
- Neutral hue, harmonic view
- Color blocks
- Wallpaper evolution
- Feature or gallery wall
- Layer with textiles
- Mold me
- To the window, to the wall
- Rug it in
- Restyle empty spaces
- Spruce up the entryway
- Incorporate natural accents
- Devil is in the detail
- Vintage is fresh
- Light but not least
1. Start with flat surfaces
A good place to start in giving your home some pizazz are the flat surfaces – the walls and floor. According to Architectural Digest, it is akin to dressing up for a hot date, you start with the foundational color and layout before accessorizing. Think of flat surfaces as the canvas that wraps the house and gives it essence through the colors or layers on it.
2. Neutral hue, harmonic view
An instant way to refresh the look of a home is to give your walls a coat of fresh paint. There are 2 ways to go about it. Many designers would go with a neutral and light color, such as beige, off white or grey, in main living areas where flow is key. Neutral tones also match with everything and increase decorating flexibility. This allows a border spectrum of color and textile choices when accessorizing.
3. Color blocks
If neutral isn’t your thing, go for color blocks of deep colors contrasted with 1-2 neutral or complementary tones. For example, a deep green wall with brass or gold finishing. Limit bold colors to accents to minimize jarring transitions.
4. Wallpaper evolution
Some may think of wallpaper as outdated Victorian era design. On the contrary, it has never gone out of style and is constantly evolving. It is one of the most affordable and versatile ways to imbue the latest trends or personality into any space. Wallpaper works to turn small spaces into high impact statements. For example, covering the blank walls in the kid’s room to give texture and a ‘oomph’ factor (not to mention easy maintenance!). Or use wallpaper with stripes to stretch a room either vertically or horizontally.
5. Feature or gallery wall
Whether in small apartments or homes with more real estate, a feature wall serves as a simple focal point. Let your creativity flow and DIY (Do-it-yourself) a feature wall out of recycled flooring. You could also group smaller picture frames together as a gallery wall or place an oversized piece on its own. A rule of thumb is to hang the middle of the picture(s) at eye level and leave a 2 to 4 inch buffer between pieces.
6. Layer with textiles
Another way of adding features to an otherwise naked wall is to hang carpets or tapestry. It helps to comfort and bring warmth to the room. For example, the sight of an intricately weaved rug hanging never fails to serve as a conversational piece.
7. Mold me
A great yet misunderstood feature is to add simple molding to the baseboard or chair rail. Rethinking trimming as wall frames also serve to define lines and brings a touch of elegance. to the room
8. “To the window, to the wall”
Though windows are part of the wall, they are often overlooked as a feature or left as an afterthought in the decoration process. Instead of hanging drapes to shade light, use bamboo blinds or sheer curtains to enhance lighting. This also adds character to the interior design. Windows treatment can visually accentuate a room’s height and dimensions. Hang curtains 3-4inches higher than the window casings to make the room look taller.
9. Rug it in
If you like your walls el natural, another option for setting the aesthetic of the home is through the floors. Don’t worry, you need not retile an entire floor. A carefully chosen area rug will do just the job, sans the cost and headache of renovation. With so many types and textures to choose from, area rugs fit any style and room configuration. Rotate the rug according to the season and change the look and feel of the house! For example, vibrant natural fiber rugs for summer and cozy sheepskin rugs for winter. A general rule when choosing is that the rug should contain all the pieces of furniture on top. If the rug isn’t big enough, at least the front legs of the main pieces should be on top.
10. Restyle empty spaces
No space should be left behind! Especially for apartments where every inch counts, no matter how awkward. Restyle an empty fireplace or bookshelf into a functional space to display art work and pull visual interest. Use floating or floor-to-ceiling shelves and turn any nook into a snug corner for breakfast or lounging. Even an appealing home office! As a general rule, stick to 3 items displayed per shelf to avoid clutter.
11. Spruce up the entryway
Another architectural element that is often neglected is the entryway. Instead of a dumping ground for shoes, bags and anything else, reframe the space to one that impresses upon entry. Utilize a hall tree or storage bench to organize troublesome shoes, while providing for comfortable seating and a smooth transition daily (no more rummaging for keys!).
12. Incorporate natural accents
After laying out the main features of the room, the next step is to decorate the house for a coherent design. Natural ingredients soften the home whilst adding an unassuming style. Incorporate natural accents such as rattan, wood, bamboo, leather, marble, and metal in furnishings. For example, use wicker baskets for extra storage or brass handles for simple allure. For bigger pieces, look out for mixed elements such as a metal coffee table with wooden accents.
13. Devil is in the details
Pay attention to the scale and patterns of decorative accents such as pillows. For the perfect combo, stick to the rule of 3. For example, 3 pillows on any sofa and 2-3 colors for a consistent color scheme. Vary the pillow pattern (1 solid, 1 patterned, 1 textured) and size (large, medium, small). The same rule applies across all decorative features i.e. bedding.
14. Vintage is fresh
We may think of decorating as adding or buying new. At times, repurposing or reupholstering furnishings may be preferable. This is especially so when the structure of the furnishings is in good condition or they hold deep sentimental value. Rewrap them in updated fabrics and textures. If there are antiques or unique pieces, repurpose them into display ornaments or fixtures (i.e. knobs, handles). At the same time, don’t compromise on safety or design. Throw out unusable fixtures.
15. Light but not least
To add a finishing touch to the home, try placing mirrors in the rooms. Position the mirror perpendicular to the windows. This aids to bounce light around and brighten the room. Mirrors also give the illusion of a bigger space as it reflects the room.
Wrap up
You don’t need a “designer-level” of skill to make your home feel like a beautiful, cozy space. It just takes some creativity and basic guidelines that will work across any style or design aesthetic. We hope that these home decorating ideas inspire and motivate you to start updating your home’s interior yesterday!
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