Whether you’re living on your own for your first time or this is just the first time you’ve really taken an interest in deliberately decorating the space around you, the idea of doing your own home decor project can be exciting. It can also leave you wondering where to start. The steps below can help you through this process.
Collect Photos
If you’re like most people who don’t have a background in design, there are looks that you like and others that you dislike, but you aren’t all that great at describing a coherent style. A good way to get started is by saving photos that you see online of various types of decor. There are websites and apps you can use for this.
It’s also helpful if you have some competing styles in mind or if you’ll be doing the project with someone who has very different taste from you. Collecting photos over time can help you identify which style will work best in your space or can help you figure out how to compromise with someone else
Have a Budget
Whether you want to do a little or a lot, it’s the amount of money you have to spend that’s likely to be your biggest constraint. When you’re figuring out how much you need, be sure to build in a cushion for extra spending. It’s not uncommon for a project to end up being more expensive than you anticipated. If you are looking for ways to finance your home decor project, you have a few options.
You could save up for a while or put it on your credit card if you don’t want to wait. However, a better option than a credit card is taking out a personal loan from a private lender. You will probably be offered more favorable repayment terms. This can also be helpful if you do need to expand your budget beyond your current means. In some situations, this might be the right move if it will allow you to purchase better-quality, longer-lasting materials.
Prioritize
Even with a sense of your style and how much you can spend. You’ll probably still feel overwhelmed surveying your project. A good idea is to start with just one room and finding pocket friendly décor tips is easier when broken up room by room.
It can even be a very small area, such as a foyer. You don’t have to finish decorating before moving onto another room, but starting small can help you past that feeling of being stuck. When you do move into one of the main rooms, such as the bedroom or living room, start with the largest piece of furniture.
In the living room, begin with the sofa and build the room around that. Once you have made a few starts, it’s okay to let the decorating process unfold somewhat organically because you have an anchor in place for what you want to do next.
If you get stuck again, try brainstorming, looking back at your saved photos or choosing one problem area to work on. If you’re still feeling paralyzed, the best remedy is simply to jump in. Unlike a major remodel, if you aren’t happy with a change you make, it’s generally fairly easy to change it back.
