The House Plan Shop Blog

Decorating all of the rooms in your new house can be a bit overwhelming. Should you start with a color scheme, a piece of artwork that you love or choose the furniture pieces first? With so many different decorating styles, themes and personal tastes, there really is no specific flow when it comes to decorating an entire room from start to finish. However, these decorating tips and ideas will help get you started.

·         If the room has a focal point such as a fireplace, flat screen TV or array of windows with a fantastic backyard view, start with the focal point. Determine the key pieces of furniture you will need and how you will arrange them to complement or take advantage of the focal point.

·         If the room does not have a focal point, you should start with the main furniture pieces you’ll need for the room. Consider each piece’s form and how you need it to function.

·         When picking out furniture, keep in mind that it will be a lot easier and less expensive to freshen up or update the room by swapping out accent pieces rather than buying all new furniture so you may want to choose furniture pieces that can mix and match with various styles.

·         Your furniture will set the style and mood of the room. The fabric, wood finishes and chrome/metal/glass accents will help you determine a color scheme.

·         If you have a particular accessory that you want to include in a room, the accessory may help determine what style of furniture you choose. A modern painting might lend itself to a black leather couch while an antique vase might lend itself to a pair of elegant armchairs with wooden legs. Maybe you have a brightly colored ceramic bowl that you’d like to display in the dining room. Look for a dining set that offers seat covers in a color that complements the bowl.

·         There is an endless supply of paint colors available to complement the fabric and wood finishes of your furniture, so think about your furniture style, colors and finishes when selecting paint.

·         There are no rules about what pieces of furniture should match in a room. This is truly personal preference. If you prefer your end tables match the coffee table and sofa table that is your choice. If you like how a skirted couch looks with a club chair put them in the room together. Often mix matched furniture pieces make a room look lively and inviting.

·         Be aware of the size of your room and the size of the furniture you choose. If you have a big room or an open floor plan with plenty of walking space, an overstuffed sofa might fit in well. However, is you have a small room, stay away from the stuffed couches and chairs. Instead, try to include a smaller loveseat with a streamlined look that shows off your tastes.

·         Give a room character with windows treatments. If you want a rich, lush and elegant look, long heavy drapes will do the trick. For a light and airy feel, white or pastel color sheers will be just the right touch.

·         Incorporate lighting. How many lamps do you need? Do you need a floor lamp or table lamp? Will track lighting work? Consider recessed lighting or a spotlight to highlight the focal point of the room. Will a ceiling fan with lighting be practical and complement your decorating style?

·         Add accent pieces to the room. Incorporate various textures and patterns. Consider a woven rug and a wooden end table, floral print and solid throw pillows, wicker baskets, pillar candles resting on small round or square mirrors, silk or beaded lampshades, etc.

These helpful decorating hints will help get you started decorating your new home. But before you make any purchases, you may want to consult an interior designer or browse some decorating magazines and websites for more ideas.

Tags: Home Decorating, interior decorating

If you plan to work from home in your new home office, perhaps you’ll want it to a have a look that is a little more personal than your cubical or office at the corporate worksite. All it takes is a little creativity and you’ll have an office that inspires and motivates you while reflecting your personality. Consider these tips as you furnish and decorate your new home office.

• Stray from the humdrum of neutral colors you are used to in a typical office like beiges and grays. Incorporate a couple colors that pop like bright reds, blues and oranges or whatever your favorite colors might be. Include these colors in accent pieces such as the fabric of your office chair, an area rug, curtains or even an artistic pot for your favorite plant.
• Do away with typical plastic organizational items like bins and tubs. Incorporate more texture by using wooden trays and woven baskets.
• Opt for wicker baskets that slide into wooden cubbies to store files instead of a standard metal filing cabinet.
• Add texture and pattern to room painted with solid color walls. Back a bookshelf with patterned wallpaper or a favorite piece of fabric. Cover a coffee can with wrapping paper and use it to hold pencils and pens. A cork board is easily transformed into a functional piece of art by covering it with a fabric sample and adding a frame before hanging it on the wall.
• Replace ordinary drawer pulls and handles with a fun design or something painted in your favorite hue.
• Choose office furniture with a rich wood grain instead of that old metal office desk. If wood isn’t your thing, consider a steel framed desk with a glass top for a more retro look.
• Don’t forget lighting. Lamps and fixture come in such a wide range of styles, colors and sizes that it is easy to let your personality shine through with a carefully selected lamp and shade or mounted fixture. Just make sure the lighting you choose is functional too.

If your office is going to be part of your new home it should show off who you are and more importantly, it should feel like it is part of your home instead of just another cubicle in an office building. Following these tips will help make your office part of your home and also provide a place in which you are comfortable, inspired and ready to work.

For more information about creating a personalized home office, check out Creating the Perfect Home Office Space. 

Tags: Home Decorating, home office, interior decorating