Congratulations on becoming a homeowner! This is a huge milestone, and one well worth celebrating. However, getting through the home buying process is only the first step in attaining the beautiful home of your dreams. Also essential? Decorating it. If you’re feeling a bit intimidated by the prospect, you’re not alone. The good news? These five decoration tips can help you minimize stress and maximize style when outfitting your new abode.
1. Know what you like.
Think of the home decorating process as the equivalent of walking into a candy store. While there’s lots of wonderful and exciting stuff out there, buying everything you see at first glance can end up giving you a major tummy ache — not to mention some serious buyer’s remorse. Before even stepping foot into a furniture or home decor store, take time to determine what you like and what you’re going for. There are many different decorating styles out there: What do you want your home to say?
One of the simplest ways to understand your style is to look at photos of homes. This should give you a clear sense of the home ideas you like across everything from furniture style to color palettes.
2. Take your time.
Decorating a home is not an all or nothing thing. Quite the opposite, in fact. British design guru, retailer and restaurateur Terence Conran told the New York Times, “In the excitement of moving into their first [home], people are all too often in a rush to do everything all at once and fill the space immediately with one exhilarating shopping trip. I have always thought it much better to live with your home first and understand the space before gradually furnishing it and adding color.”
Conran’s recommendation? “Obviously you need the basics in place to live there, but by buying one or two pieces at a time, I think you have a better chance of creating a first apartment that works well and reflects your personality, which can only make you happier.”
A related rule of thumb? Buy only things you love.
3. Don’t be afraid to let go.
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably accumulated various home furnishings and decor items from your previous residences. However, just because a piece once made sense doesn’t mean it’s a fit for your new home and/or phase of life. This goes for past purchases as well as gifts and hand-me-downs.
For example, if the antique armoire you found at a tag sale a decade ago no longer fits your vision for your bedroom decor, sell it or pass it along to someone else who will love it as much as you once did.
4. Invest in essentials.
You’ve just made what may be the biggest investment of your life to day. While sticking with a budget is wise, it’s also important to accept that spending money on decorating your space can also be viewed as an investment.
“I always tell people who are decorating their first apartments that it is important to spend money on the bigger-ticket items, like sofas, beds and dining tables. You can always accessorize with inexpensive things like toss pillows, bedding and lighting to pull everything together,” advises interior designer Sheila Bridges.
Plus, high-quality pieces provide a solid foundation upon which you can build.
5. Don’t overlook accents!
We’ve all heard the expression, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” However, we’re also familiar with the adage, “The devil is in the details.” The takeaway when decorating your first home? While accessories and accent pieces aren’t immediate necessities, they can ultimately be what transforms a sterile house into an inviting home.
In addition to must-have decorating accessories like books, trays, window treatments, throws and statement lighting, the impact of art cannot be overstated. Laurel & Wolf interior designer Megan Opel told the New York Times, “I advise splurging on original paintings from your favorite artists, because nothing will make a space feel more like you than personally curated art.”
While decorating your first home can be overwhelming, these tips can help you embrace the excitement of the experience. And don’t forget: Just as people change and grow, so do their living spaces. Commit to routinely refreshing your home to ensure that it continues to be the living space of your dreams.
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