Redecorating Your Apartment? Do It Up Perfectly On The First Try

by: Kim Vedros

Redesigning the interior décor of a family home is such a great and rewarding adventure. However, it can also be aggravating if you are working on a limited budget and don’t plan every last detail. Of course, no one can tell you what decorating style will work best in your home – only you know that with certainty. What we can say with certainty is that there are several surefire tips that will help you make the most of your interior design budget, and get it right the first time around.

De-clutter Your Home – Clutter means mess and no place can be peaceful and restful with chaos everywhere. Before you start your interior design project, de-clutter your home. It allows you to start with a clean slate. It also means you have a good idea of what you what you need to purchase for your new design scheme; what you want to keep and what you need to get rid of. It is a very educational task!

Learn to Thrift Shop – Whether it is yard sales or church bazaars; a second hand store or a local retailer – sales and discounts are everywhere if you just keep your eyes open and your pocketbook closes! Home décor planning does not mean that everything you buy has to be new.

Don’t Forget ‘Cozy’ – It goes without saying, we all want the home that is on the cover of this month’s home and garden magazine but will it work for your family? More times than not, the answer is no. The expertly staged rooms you see on the glossy pages of magazines are beautiful to look at but in the real world, not comfortable and homey. Yes, it is necessary to inject a sense of style to your interior design, but more importantly you want comfort and coziness.

Give Eclectic a Try – It doesn’t always have to match and very often a space that is too perfectly matched falls way short on originality and character. Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns. For example, plaids, florals and stripes actually go really well together if you keep the color palette and style in check. Add an upholstered ottoman in a different color or create a focal wall that is filled with your favorite art.

Don’t Be Afraid of Color – A bold color on one wall or on a piece of well placed furniture can give a room a whole new look and feel. Don’t be afraid to experiment with color – after all, if you hate it, just repaint it! Spaces that are painted all white are austere, cold and boring. Color can also be used in your furniture fabric, throw rugs, toss cushions and drapery panels. Use your imagination and make color your friend – your home and your family will praise you for it.

Get Rid of the 50” Television Eyesore – The big black box of death when it comes to interior design – there is no quicker way to spoil the look and feel of a room than to set a huge projection TV down in the corner of the room. If you must have a large screen TV, replace it with plasma or LCD TV that can be inconspicuously and elegantly placed on a wall.

Don’t Forget About Your Family – Of course you are redecorating for you but don’t forget about the other occupants in the house! If you have kids aged 5 or younger, a white sofa hardly seems practical no matter how fantastic you think it will look. If you have older teens in your house, look for fabrics such as rayon and chenille that are stain resistant and durable. If you have animals, look for hard wood or laminate floors instead of carpet that will collect and trap your pet’s hair and dander.