Color schemes, accent pieces, throw pillows, wall art and more... oh my! Interior decorating seems like a daunting and overwhelming task for the novice decorator but it doesn't have to be! I've come up with 7 simple steps to help you get off on the right foot. I promise it can be fun and exciting!
Before I get to the 7 important steps, lets go over a brief overview. What we are going to do is break things down, room by room. When you think about decorating the entire house, it seems like a very overwhelming task. When I get overwhelmed, everything ends up being put on the back burner because I am the queen of procrastination. Just remember that we are going to keep things simple, be mindful of our comfort zone and enjoy the process! Let’s take a look at our task at hand, one step at a time.
Step 1:
Choose the room you would like to work on first. You might have one room that you’re really excited about working on and that would be a good place to start. The excitement of beginning a fun, new project can really help get the ball rolling. Perhaps you have a room that seems very easy, and that might be your best starting point. Maybe you have a specific corner that you would like to spruce up, and that works too!
Your best bet is to start somewhere that makes you feel comfortable and excited. There is nothing wrong with taking baby steps and adding little by little. In fact, I would recommend starting off with a smaller project and building up if you’re a newbie when it comes to decorating. The last thing you want is to do is go out and buy a ton of decor for a huge space only to realize that it doesn’t work. However, don’t let that be a deterrent to going big, if that’s what you’re all about. Plenty of stores have great return policies, just be sure to check them out and keep important deadlines in mind!
Step 2:
Now that you have decided which space you will be working with, start browsing! Pinterest is my go to place for ideas! It is full of creative and fun concepts! While you’re browsing, zero in on what styles you are drawn to. You can easily keep track of things you like by creating boards on Pinterest. You can sort things by decor style, such as farmhouse, modern, traditional, etc., or you can sort things by the type of space you are focusing on such as living room, office, bedroom, or even just a coffee station. I have seen some amazing coffee station Pinterest boards out there, the possibilities are truly endless! Use Pinterest as a tool to create a vision. After creating a board that has the look you’re going for, I suggest browsing with a bit more intention. Create a new board and name it after what you’re planning to decorate. For example, you could call it “My Fabulous New Living Room”. Make it fun and interesting, no judgement here!
Check out my Pinterest page for inspiration here!
Step 3:
Once you have created the “vision” board for your new and improved room, start shopping around for a piece that jumps out at you. You know that feeling people get when they find their wedding dress? The “omg this is the one, I absolutely have to have it” feeling? THAT, my dear friend, is when you know you are off to the right start! Take your time, don’t rush, you will know it when you find it. I once found a gorgeous mirror and thought to myself, where have you been all my life? Did I buy it? Yes. Do I still love it 10 years later? 100%. Look for the pieces that catch your attention and make you think, if I were a lamp, that is exactly what I would look like! I know it sounds silly, but when you go about things this way you are far less likely to have regrets in the future.
Step 4:
After you have found your “I’m in love with this” piece. Start shopping around for things that you can use to accent it. Maybe you found a TV stand that you absolutely adore. Search for smaller items that would look great with the stand. Maybe you have a bird obsession, like me (I am so guilty of this!), find a cute little bird that would look cute sitting on the stand. Maybe you’re a book lover and some cute bookends would fit alongside your favorite books on a shelf below. Candles, vases, and mini statues are also great accent pieces. Key word: “accent” pieces. Don’t get overzealous and fill it with anything and everything. Remember, less is more and you bought this piece because it is the showstopper. Style it accordingly. Also, there is nothing wrong with filling something in bit by bit. If you’re anything like me, you really shouldn’t be spending a ton of money to redecorate on a monthly basis after you realize that the strange statue you bought in an effort to look “cultured” really just looks weird and out of place. I can’t emphasize this enough, take your time!
Step 5:
Have fun. Let yourself be drawn to things that make you happy. Sure, hotel rooms look sleek and nice but they won’t feel like home. Collecting and curating your own decor is a personal experience. When you let your desires drive you, you will be surprised by the wonderful things you acquire along the way. Also, keep in mind that this is your home and you are decorating it to please yourself. After all, you’re the one that has to live in these room day-in and day-out. Don’t be influenced by the opinions of others. At the end of the day, the goal is to create a space that is unique and fulfilling for you!
Step 6:
Repeat this process for each area of the room that you are decorating. Take it one step at a time and really ensure that you are loving each piece that you bring into the home. If you get stumped and need some ideas to fill in some blank spots, this is where the basics come in. A few staple items placed here and there are great to have on hand as space fillers. You can also rotate them around throughout seasons and use them to give your rooms a different look when you get tired of something looking the same. Some of these basics include: candles, vases, small signs, and figurines. I have a few of those that I rotate between my rooms throughout the year. It helps keep things fresh and fun so I never get bored of the same stuff. They are also especially helpful to have on hand during the holidays. Combining holiday decor with a few existing everyday pieces can make holiday decorating so much easier, but that’s a topic for another blog post!
Step 7:
Enjoy the process. Allow yourself to have fun and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. If you don’t see anything you absolutely love, that’s okay! I can guarantee you will sooner or later! Trust your instincts, allow yourself to love what you love without judgement. Happy decorating! Be sure to share your insights and ideas down below in the comment section! I would love to hear what you have to share. Let me know if you have any questions, I am always happy to help!
A link to the "It's So Good To Be Home" Reversible Sign in the featured image can be found here!
