Posted by Collette | Posted in Home Mortgages, Weekly Tips | Posted on 08-11-2010
Even if you can’t afford an interior designer, you can decorate successfully. Before starting a project, determine your style preferences. If you have trouble coming up with great ideas, check out decorating shows and collect tear sheets from magazines. For best results, create a budget and focus on one room at a time. Here are top designer tips to help turn your home into a haven:
- Before beginning a project, have a plan;
- Mix high-end & affordable pieces;
- Purchase well-made furniture with interesting details or classic lines;
- Splurge on furniture that gets a lot of use;
- Avoid being too trendy;
- Don’t over-accessorize;
- Use accessories that draw the eye to a room’s focal point;
- Don’t let furniture hug the walls;
- Angle sofas to make rooms appear larger;
- Arrange furniture for easy access & movement;
- Add the illusion of space by keeping part (or all) of the floor visible;
- Everything doesn’t have to match;
- When mixing styles, choose pieces that visually balance each other;
- Paint can refresh, revitalize or completely change a room’s look;
- White is classic but color creates depth & interest;
- Choose a hue that suits you, your family, and lifestyle;
- Blue and green rooms are calming & relaxing;
- Dark colors make a room seem smaller;
- Light colors make a room seem larger;
Paint ceilings two shades lighter than walls for small rooms to feel airy & spacious.
