For those who love to get the Christmas decorations up mid November and those who begrudgingly put them up Christmas Eve and down by Boxing Day, the feeling of clearing away the clutter is very cathartic. The joy of an uncluttered room can be short lived.
Instead of supreme satisfaction, I feel cheated. It all looks a bit bland and boring, in the corner that was once a twinkling resting place for my eye to rest, has become a barren and lightless empty space. Was it really so lifeless before? Something must be done about this.
This is the time of year I feel it’s time for a makeover of the living room often a reshuffle or a little lamp in the corner will lift my spirits but sometimes it’s the starting point for a bigger makeover. A new year, a new look!
Often New Year’s Day I sit and ponder what my new room should look like. I while away a little time looking for inspiration. I then have grandiose way over budget ideas and have to scale it back so much that my initial vision is unrecognizable. I’ve found over the years that having a flexible yet carefully researched concept keeps me on track.
Here are our 12 top tips for completing a perfect home decorating project:
- Look at trend predictions. Don’t look backwards unless of course you are looking to replicate a historic house or period property, you’ll want your new decor to be up to the minute. Subscribe to blogs and magazines that offer inspiration. This is vital if you dates shift often you will see trends changing and adapting and you can build this into your plan. It helps to keep things relevant even if your project is delayed. Biased of course but our magazine ‘into the light’ gives inspiration and a whole lot more, savings, tips and insights not to be missed. It’s free too!
- If you can, buy the ‘must have’ items ahead of time. (I’d exclude tech stuff as this changes so quickly) Buy decorative and investment buys like that rug you’ve spotted! If it’s the only one for you, then buy it! Don’t dither and pither. Things can be discontinued and the look you had in mind will be compromised without the object of your desire.
- Check the sizes of every item you intend to have in the room. If it won’t fit ignore the previous tip. If it’s not the right size it can dominate or worse still look inconsequential.
- Speak to experts and specialists they can often give lots of free advice and practical tips. This is especially true for big ticket items, or items you may not know much about. Never guess, if you don’t know everything about an item ask the shop assistant or web company. If they can’t tell you find someone that can.
- Keep to your scheme. It’s so easy to spot other things you like once you start shopping. We can be easily seduced with what seems to be a good price. A bargain is not a bargain if it adds nothing to the overall look you’ve planned. That’s making do and the whole reason for wanting a change to the decor is you don’t want to make do. Don’t compromise your dream. You can’t love compromises you just put up with them. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes you can be lucky. Occasionally you can be in the right place at the right time and find that gem that’s perfect and a bargain! If it’s a good price and it works with your overall vision for the room in question, snap it up!
- This is one of the top tips. Don’t ask for everyone’s opinion, have one other valued opinion sure, but remember that old adage “too many cooks spoil the broth” it’s so true. If opinions are offered smile sweetly and say that sounds good!, I can see that working in your house, I’ll keep it in mind though.
- Never ever leave a tatty light fitting hanging around spoiling the overall look if it doesn’t fit the aesthetic -ditch it, donate it or dangle it in another room. A light should be replaced if it doesn’t light the room well enough or you just don’t like it. Lighting is a crucial element that should not be overlooked. To prove a point here you will never see a restaurant with shoddy lighting. It’s high on designer’s lists. The aim is to have 3 layers of lighting; general light, accent lighting and task lighting. For example a main ceiling light for general lighting, wall lights for accent lighting and perhaps a table or floor lamp for task lighting.
- With your list of must have items see if you can get them at a better price ask the retailer if there are offers available. And see if they’d be prepared to better that price for an order today. It can be a great tactic. Sales people are always happy to help the customer who asks.
- When goods arrive check them for damage. It’s tempting to put them away safely in the corner but it can be too late to report damage if your project is held up and you don’t spot damage until you about to do the last finishing touches. Apart from the huge disappointment of discovering something damaged, the items cannot be replaced free of charge if the damage is unreported.
- If you haven’t a safe place to store your newly acquired treasures ask the retailer to keep them until you are ready, many suppliers are happy to do this as a free service.
- If the budget changes (and it never gets bigger does it?) scale back your spending. Think what has to be done, what can be done and what can wait.
- Finally enjoy it. It’s fun!
Feel free to sign up to our FREE newsletter below to receive your copies of our digital magazine full of inspiration, ideas and offers.