How to Start Decorating a Room

Step 1 - Style & Color

After you have determined how the room is going to be used, select a style and color scheme. Lets say you are going to decorate your living room to function mainly as a gathering space where you will listen to music, play games, enjoy conversation, etc. Do you want a Traditional, Tuscan, Victorian, Modern, Contemporary, or an Eclectic style to your room? There are so many styles to choose from and one or perhaps two of them will appeal to you! They will be reflective of your unique personality and style. If you are unsure of what style best reflects who you are, take the time to just look through books, magazines or walk through a home furnishing store to take notice of the things or styles that appeal to you most! You are not there to buy...just to browse and get ideas. The Internet is also an excellent place to go, to get an education on what the different decorating styles look like and it is just waiting.....at your fingertips.

Now find a point of inspiration for your color. This could be a dish, picture, a favorite pillow, bedspread, or a fabric on a piece of furniture. The inspiration could come from something as simple as a paper napkin or a pretty greeting card. The goal is to find a direction to send the room into a finished project that has a distinguishing color scheme and style. This was the procedure we used in selecting the colors for our wedding. I just happen to love the colors displayed in the plumage of a peacock. That was my "inspiration" and the color theme just fell together from there.

Good design brings together many pattern categories that contain your selected color scheme. Never deviate from your color pallet and don't be afraid to mix patterns in your room. The couch, chairs, window treatments, area rugs, pillows, throws, art work, etc., may contain patterns such as prints, geometrics, plaids, stripes, solids and textures. Each of these patterns can be of varying scale within their pattern. You could have a pillow with large stripes and a pillow with vary narrow stripes. They just need to have the same colors as in your pallet.

Tip: Take a picture of your inspiration piece and take it with you when shopping. (Stored in a digital camera doesn't count---Print it out in color.)

This first step is most important. Much like laying a good foundation. Everything depends upon it! Rome was not built in a day and neither will your decorating project. Take the time to learn each step and think through the processes involved, so you can come up with a good vision of what you would like to live in! Literally.

In Step 2, we will go more in depth with selecting a color scheme. Take the time to develop Step 1.

You will be glad you did!