When buying a new home or redecorating an existing home, recognize that personal transition is also happening. This can be overwhelming as well as being an exciting time of new beginnings.
Change requires a deeper look at personal needs and wants.
It can be a release from the past and a shift into new directions. Often we have outgrown furniture or accessories we have lived with, yet hold on to without realizing or thinking. It’s an opportunity to honestly assess what pieces are broken, worn out or no longer fit your personality, taste and lifestyle.
Moving into a new environment is a perfect time to see your furniture and possessions with fresh eyes. It’s a time to evaluate what has served you in the past and re-design how you want to live going forward. Purging makes space for design discovery and imagination.
Concerns and fear about the high cost of purchasing new pieces are often unfounded. You may not need to replace them at all.
Every area on the floor or space on a wall does not have to be filled. Less is more! An example of this is when beginning a design project, it is a good idea to remove pictures from small walls! Leave more empty space everywhere. Also, using larger pieces (in dimension, not necessarily scale) is a great design trick to create drama and to spend less money.
Repurpose! Every design choice needn’t be expensive. When carefully thought out, you will realize you have options. First consider the pieces you already have. Envision them used differently. Choose what you would like to keep. Changing color, finish or adding a new detail such as hardware, lamp shade or pillow can add new and interesting focal points. Paint a piece of furniture an accent color and/or add molding, beads or metal accents. By renewing the pieces you already own, you have created a unique and personalized style.
A great way to see your furniture and accessories differently is to place them in different rooms than they were in previously. Don’t do the obvious or the same. Think “out of the box” or better yet have no box and have fun. Watch your creativity flourish. Decorating is often taken too seriously. When you realize there are no “have to’s” in decorating, you can relax and freely envision different furniture arrangements. For example, turning a dining table just 45 degrees can change the flow of the area. And the chairs will face in a different direction for people to experience. Or move the dining room furniture into the family room or living room and the previous dining room or kitchen eating area can become a more intimate sitting room. After all where do family and guests hang out?
To avoid interior design mistakes:
- Live in your new home for at least a month before making any permanent design decisions.
- Before buying new furniture place your existing furniture to emulate the new look. Experiment with what you have.
- Don’t do everything at once.
- Consider your life style, not the obvious purpose for which the rooms were intended.
- Explore using room layouts differently to suit your feelings.
- Don’t duplicate function in rooms.
- Don’t buy because something is on sale.
- Most important, love everything you bring into your home.
The way you live and choices you make can affect your happiness and wellbeing. Make sure your environment supports the lifestyle you want to live today.
Remember, rooms have no feelings, YOU do!
I’m glad I came across this since I was actually planning on changing my home as soon as possible. Waiting a month isn’t that long, and I don’t mind doing it if that means it’ll help prevent me making a mistake. It also gives me time to talk with a friend about how I want my home designed.