May
28

How to Plan & Start a Home Decorating Project From Scratch

When it comes to home decor, making a couple of changes here and there doesn’t seem too complicated. But when it comes to handling a large-scale home decorating project, that’s when things start to feel intimidating. Many homeowners hesitate to start a project from scratch because they are afraid they’ll make a mistake or that they won’t be satisfied with the end result.

Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or simply feel like your place could use a makeover, here are several tips to help you plan and start your home decorating project from scratch.

Look for inspiration in unique places

Every beautiful home interior you’ve ever seen started as just an idea. If you are not sure where to start or what you want your space to look like, look for some inspiration. This will, of course, mean different things to different people.

Some may head to Pinterest and save some amazing pins on their board. Some may turn to interior design magazines and catalogs for ideas. Others, however, may use the spaces they already love as a source of inspiration (think your favorite hotel or a coffee shop, your friend’s house, etc.).

Think about the spaces you like and try to identify the features you are drawn to. Is it the color palette or the use of a particular material? Is it the energy and emotions that a certain place evokes in you? Maybe it’s the design style that captures your attention? Whatever it is, try to form a general idea of what your space should look like, and use a journal, a notebook, or a mood-board to keep all your ideas in one place.

Think about how you’re going to use your space

Sometimes, the spaces we like may appear great in theory but may not be functional IRL. While aesthetics do play a vital role in designing beautiful spaces, if a particular space is not practical for day-to-day use, it’s not exactly something you want to commit to long-term.

This is why it’s important to consider how you’re going to use your space before starting your design project. Think about your lifestyle, the size of the home, and your and your partner’s/family’s needs. Will you be using this space on a regular basis or is this a second home? Is it a place for entertaining, sleeping, working, dining, or a multi-purpose space?

Make sure to distinguish between your needs and wants, factor in your home decorating budget, and then try to break your project into stages to make it more manageable.

Decide where all the other things will go

When reimagining your living space, it’s also important to consider the things that are already there. Chances are, you already have some furniture and your home may already have tiles and/or carpeting. What’s more, you probably have a couple of decor pieces that you love but that doesn’t exactly match the overall aesthetic you’re going for.

In that case, you might want to consider reserving a cheap self-storage unit. It’s a great way to store the items you need until you complete your home decorating project or preserve those sentimental pieces that don’t exactly fit with your newly decorated space.

Start with one decor piece

Once you’ve moved all those extra items elsewhere and created a blank slate, it’s time to set the groundwork for your home decorating project. The best way to approach this process is to start with just one decor piece.

More often than not, this one decor piece will be something distinct, something that will lay the foundation for all the other elements in the room. For some, this could mean rolling out a beautiful rug from Miss Amara collection and relying on the rug’s style and colors to help set the tone for their living space. For others, this could mean placing a statement sofa and developing their design based on this particular decor element.

If you’re working with a smaller budget, you can simply start with what you already have. It can be as simple as using that antique cabinet or that vintage vanity you were considering throwing out as a base and letting your creativity do the work.

Make a plan

Once you’re certain about the colors, design style, and the overall aesthetic of your new space, it’s time to come up with a detailed plan. Consider the furniture and decor you already have and make a list of things you’ll need to get to start your home decorating project.

Then, figure out how these things will look in your living space. Is there room for everything or will you need to cross something off your wish list? You can take the old school route and use a pen and paper, or you can rely on a decorating app to make the process easier. To truly envision your space's potential, you may want to check your home decor ideas with virtual staging and see transformations before making any changes.

When coming up with a plan, other than factoring in spatial requirements, you’ll also need to think about lighting sources as some of them may require calling in a professional to install them. Finally, figure out how much you can expect to pay for each item on your list. Then, add another 20% on top of that for unplanned expenses and fees.

Start decorating

After all that planning and organizing, it’s time to put your plan in motion and get your home decorating project rolling. This is the stage where you get to shop for the items from your list. Take some time to shop around so you get the best deal on each item and save some money in the process.

Start off with furniture. Sometimes, all you’ll need to do to rejuvenate your home without renovating is to simply rearrange your existing furnishings and come up with a practical layout. In case you’re buying new furniture, be sure to measure the available space twice so that everything fits in perfectly.

Then, move on to accessories. Decor, just like furniture, comes at various price points, so there are always ways to save money. If you do, however, find an extraordinary piece that will completely elevate your interiors, don’t hesitate to splurge. Leave painting your interiors for the end – this will make it easier for you to match the paint color to your furniture collection. That way, everything will appear cohesive and well-thought-out.

Wrapping up

Creating a home that speaks to you doesn’t have to be so challenging nor does it call for a pro. With a few decorating tricks up your sleeve, you can ensure amazing results and design a home you’ll love coming back to.

By: Lilly Miller
Lilly is a graphic designer and a passionate writer. Loves everything about home decor, art history and baking. Shares home with two loving dogs and a gecko named Rodney. Based in Sydney, but world is her playground.