Decorating Tips for Your Brand New Home
Buying a new home is exciting for a multitude of reasons, and one of those reasons is the freedom to decorate however you choose! It’s a great opportunity to infuse your personal style into your new living space–from the kitchen, to the living room, to the bedroom and beyond.
If you’re excited about the prospect of decorating your new active adult home, but are intimidated by interior design, don’t fret! You do not need a professional for your home to look incredible. Read on for our favorite tips for decorating your new house, and it’ll truly feel like home in no time!
Don’t forget about function.
It may seem like a no-brainer, but you’ll want to think about the function of each room you’re decorating, before choosing the furniture and decor. For example, if you like to entertain and plan on hosting large parties, the function of your kitchen and dining room change. They’re not just for you and your family–they’ll need to be functional rooms for your parties.
Perhaps there’s a room in your new home that you thought would serve as a den, but have now decided a study would better serve your home needs. This will change the look and feel of the room, as well as the furniture needs. Analyze your lifestyle first, before deciding on the decor.
It’s all about lighting.
Lighting is a key factor to consider when decorating your new active adult home. Consider where all sources of natural light, and which part of the room will be brightest and dimmest throughout the day. Utilizing multiple layers of light–such as floor lamps and table lamps–will allow you to control the mood of each room.
Consider proportion and scale.
Any interior designer will tell you–never ignore the importance of proportion and scale. Especially in homes with large, open floor plans, such as our new homes in the Villages at Two Rivers. Be cognizant of the size of your furniture and accessories, and how that size compares with the overall proportion of the room. If the size of your furniture and accessories are disproportionate with the space you’re decorating, that space will lack harmony. When you buy furniture and accessories, think of how they’ll work together in the overall space, instead of how they will look separately.
Test paint colors.
Many homeowners have learned the hard way–paint doesn’t always look the same on the walls, as it did in the can or on the paint swatch! Before you have your heart set on a particular shade and start to decorate the rest of your room, test out our chosen color on the walls to double check it is a color you love! Keep in mind that the paint color on walls tends to look more subdued once all furniture and accessories are in place–so don’t be afraid of bold, rich colors.
Feel free to move the living room furniture from the walls.
For many homeowners, the instinct is to push the living room furniture flush with the walls. Make a room feel more cozy and inviting by moving the furniture away from the walls and closer together to create a conversational space. Consider placing a large area rug under the living room area to further unify the pieces together.
SOURCE: The Washington Post
