You don’t have to have a lot of money to decorate your home with style. In fact, if you do your research, you can create a stunning living space that lines up with your direct style and personality.
How do you know your style and personality?
Well…do you gravitate to more of a formal style with antiques and fancy chandeliers or maybe a laid- back beach vibe? You could be in love with boho or a more modern style. In case you were wondering, “Bohemian or Boho decorating is for those who want their homes full of life, culture, and interesting items for all the world to see. This aesthetic flies in the face of modern sensibilities and embraces the carefree, the relaxed, and the unusual.” Decide what feeling you want your home to have as soon as you walk in.
Pull as many photos as you like of rooms that you love. I use Pinterest as well as home design magazines for this.
Look for commonalities among your inspiration photos. How do they make you feel? Are you excited, happy, or calmer – Zen if you will? Is it the architecture of the room that you love, or the color palette? These are the questions you must ask yourself before deciding on a distinct design personality.
Most find that they are a combination of styles, say… boho-chic, modern lodge or beach Zen.
I have read that looking at your closet will also help with finding your style. My closet is mostly jeans, sundresses and blue or green print tops. That mixture of blue and green reminds me of the ocean, which just by chance, invokes a great deal of emotion in me.
What décor do you already have? Did you pick out your furnishings or did you inherit most of it from family or maybe a boyfriend? Lastly, you need to think about how this room will function for you and your family. Will it have proper storage needed for children’s items or dog toys?
Decorating can be expensive so there are several things you should think about to keep your budget as low as possible. It also helps if you are handy with DIY projects or know somebody who is. In the past, I have “traded talents” with friends. For example, I will bake a cake for a friend who helps me with my plumbing issues
The first thing you need to do when you are budgeting for the décor and design of your home, is to know how much money you have to spend and how to make that money work best for you. More “bang for the buck” if you will. You will need to determine a payment plan or how much money you have for the room or space you want to decorate. Be sure to include the costs for accessories in the room also.
Here is an example of a design budget worksheet done in the Excel program.
Notice that the total budget has been decided before the furnishings. This is a great system for staying on track and maybe not buying that extravagant area rug that makes you cry every time you see the price tag. As your mama would say, “If it was meant to be, it will be there when you are ready.” Who knows, maybe you will find a much better option at your price point.
In Design 101, Part 2, I will be talking about architectural changes and choosing a color scheme. Until then, have an amazing and creative week!
— Danielle
