Professional Design Advice for First Time Decorators

Are you a first-time decorator looking for advice? This is your chance to show off your skills and turn your home into a place that reflects your taste and personality. Here, we share professional tips and tricks that will help you design your home like a pro!

Add personality

Your home is your sanctuary, a place where you relax after a long day. Therefore, you’ll want to feel like the physical space really belongs to you. Customize your home with objects that reflect your hobbies, tastes, and preferences.

Add your personal stamp to the space (from Unsplash)

Make a statement

In this early phase, you might not be sure about your preferences, and that is okay. However, keep in mind that your first home is a great chance to experiment with styles, colors, and patterns. Don’t be afraid to go bold with the design. Add vibrant artwork, display your thrift store finds, and make a big statement with oversized plants.

Don’t be scared to go bold with your design (from Unsplash)

Fresh coat of paint

If you feel like your home feels plain and dull, it might be time for a fresh coat of paint. This DIY-friendly and inexpensive trick will make your home feel more upscale. We love how the sage paint adds dimension to this living room, while the wonderful tone is an excellent way to spruce up an awkward wall.

Paint can do wonders for a space (from Unsplash)

Pay attention to symmetry

When you are a first-time decorator, you might not feel confident about your skills. If you don’t think you have a good eye for aesthetics, we advise you to embrace symmetry. Symmetrically placed objects will always look balanced and visually pleasing, so opt for the same decor approach for both sides of the fireplace, for example.

Play it safe with symmetry (from Houzz)

Decorate with wallpaper

Available in a wide range of colors and patterns, wallpaper is an excellent way to make a statement. It is available in peel and stick options for your convenience, so there is no reason not to hop on this trend.

Add drama with the help of wallpaper (from Houzz)

Update the lighting

Good lighting will always help make your home feel airy and expensive. Recessed lighting is often overlooked, but this simple addition will make your home appear high-end. Stylish lamps will provide illumination for specific tasks such as reading a book.

Play with lighting for an upscale feel in your home (from Unsplash)

Curate your coffee table decor

Your coffee table shouldn’t be there to gather clutter. A nicely curated arrangement looks more intentional, contributing to an elegant and sophisticated look. 

A curated coffee table decor for a sophisticated look (from Houzz)

Don’t follow trends

Trends will come and go, but real style stays forever. You don’t want to get that sofa just for the sake of being trendy. Instead, focus on furniture pieces that are timeless classics. You can always enhance the more basic pieces with fun and bold accents that convey the newest trends. 

Don’t chase trends and create a space that reflects your taste (from Unsplash)

Anchor the space with area rugs

New decorators often overlook the need for area rugs. This simple accessory will make a space look put together and add a touch of warmth. In addition, a cozy area rug can do wonders to visually divide the space. This is very beneficial for open-plan homes since you have the chance to separate the home into zones.

An area rug will make the space look put together (from Houzz)

Add storage

Having fewer storage options can be a huge problem for new homeowners. If you don’t have enough space available, your home will look messy and disorganized. Therefore, make sure to use every inch of the space efficiently and squeeze in some extra storage. On-stair shelves will provide you with enough storage space to compensate for the lack of a mudroom. 

Maximize your storage space (from Houzz)

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