Moving into your first new home is such an exciting time. This is where you will begin your journey forth in your adult life. It’s where you’ll create memories with your pets, spouse, children, and friends.
That’s why you want it to look perfect from the outside in. But, decorating a house is a much bigger task than decorating an apartment or a room in your parent’s home.
If you’ve never decorated before or you’re just intimidated by your new open space, then you’re in the right place. We’ve put together this interior design for beginners guide just for you. Keep reading to learn more.
Interior Design for Beginners: A Guide for New Home Owners
Even if you have an idea about how you want to decorate, there are some staple design tips that professional designers live by. Don’t get stuck with last year’s styles or last decade for that matter!
These interior design ideas should be enough to get you started.
Painting
Painting trends are always changing in home interior magazines and design hubs like New York and L.A. But you’re free to paint the rooms in your home whatever color feels most comfortable to you. If you want to be funky and loud and retro, go for it.
As a tip, painting smaller rooms in softer or lighter colors makes them feel larger.
Furniture
When choosing and arranging furniture, make sure you have a focal point. Likewise, make room for walkways and conversation areas to make the room feel warmer.
Most living rooms have televisions, of course. Consider an armoire cabinet or some kind of enclosure to hide it when it’s not in use. Do the same if you have a television in the bedroom to cut down on distractions.
Lighting
Most interior decorating ideas actually start with lighting. You can’t very well arrange your furniture if you don’t know where the light is coming in. Think about that annoying glare on the television while you’re trying to watch your favorite show.
If you’re still unsure how to arrange lighting in your home, head over to a design showroom and talk to one of the designers on staff. Bring pictures of your space and your furniture.
Artwork
Artwork and frames for photographs can make or break a room. They should be arranged and placed tastefully so that they don’t overcrowd each other. Again, create a focal point with a family portrait or a large painting.
Plants
One of the often forgotten interior design tips that is a must in a lively home is to spruce it up with plants. Plants not only add color and vibrancy to a room but they also clean the air. Be careful if you have pets that the plants or flowers you choose are not toxic.
Mirrors
Still having trouble with your lighting? Use mirrors! Especially in rooms with minimal natural light, a mirror can make the room appear larger and more inviting.
Don’t go overboard and use too many mirrors. One or two large to medium size mirrors can also take the place of artwork to fill an empty space on your wall.
Area Rugs
Adding an area rug to a room gives it warmth and adds great texture and color. Especially if you have hardwood or tile floors, you can liven up a room with an area rug. Speaking of hardwood and tile floors, an area rug can literally warm up the room and help keep your electric bill down in the winter.
Patterns and Textures
Add pillows to your couches and beds. Throw blankets, too. Use different colors and patterns and textures to add depth to the room.
Especially if you have tame wall colors, using patterns and textures throughout the rest of your decor gives your room a sense of livability. Don’t be drab and boring. Live a little.
Measurements
Before you can arrange the furniture or hang anything on the walls, you should know your space. You may think you can eyeball an area and figure out what will fit, but 9 times out of ten you’ll be wrong.
Get your measuring tape and take a few moments to write down the length, width, and height of each room in your home. Measure your furniture and other belongings as you unpack and you’ll be able to figure out what goes where.
Lifestyle
Your home interior ideas should boil down to your preference. You’re going to live here, after all. You’ll need to figure out how you need each space in your home to function and decorate according to those needs as well. Not to mention serving your routine properly.
Select a Theme
You can select a theme for your entire home or do it room by room. If you’re the orderly and organized type, you may feel more comfortable with a whole house theme. Select a theme or themes that allow you to easily plan the layout of your space.
Research and Visualize
Aside from measuring, you’ll need to really think about what you’re placing where and why. You may need to arrange things a few times to get it right, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s the fun part.
Final Thoughts
Don’t be overwhelmed by your blank space. Just keep these interior design for beginners tips in mind as you begin unboxing and moving into your new home. Find your niche and run with it, this is the place where you are most able to express yourself.
If you have kids, let them decorate their own rooms. It will give them more confidence and know how when they grow up and buy their own homes. It will also be a nice memory you can share about your home.
If you found this post helpful, and we hope you did, check out our house section where you’ll find more tips and tricks for everyday living in your humble abode.
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