Home Decorating for Everyone

Where to begin when you are decorating your home? Are you starting with a clean slate, or are you giving your existing home a facelift? How will you get your inspiration in deciding the style of décor? What if you consider yourself lacking the design gene? Some people visit model homes in new neighborhoods in hopes of decorating ideas. You might be able to glean ideas for fixtures and countertops. But as far as a color palate and accessorizing, you will be getting the color du jour. And the accessories are more than often bought in bulk, and can be found reproduced everywhere. So, if you are looking for unique inspirations, it might be best to skip the sub-division model homes.

However, most major cities do offer a yearly tour of homes. These are typically well established residences that have been chosen by a committee to participate in the tour. If your city offers this type of tour, it would be a wonderful opportunity to take in varying decorating styles.

Decorating, especially in recent years, has become a wonderfully eclectic experience. How refreshing it is to mix your grandmother's antique sideboard with your mother's funky 1970's glassware. Or that amazing rug you found on your trip to Morocco over lapping the mohair rug you bought at the mall. You can mix pieces from different eras, different geographic influences, and price ranges. Those very pricey candlesticks that came in the familiar robin's egg blue bag, would look great sitting with the Asian inspired trinket box from a local thrift store.

Keep in mind to avoid clutter. One way to avoid clutter is having groupings of varying heights and widths on a table or shelf. Items that are all the same height and uniformity are boring, and not eye catching. If you have interesting pieces, you want them to be a focal point in your room.

Another easy update is taking your pictures off the wall and propping them up instead. The picture that's hanging above your fireplace? You love it, but it's been there forever? Consider leaning it against the mantel instead. Leaning other smaller pictures with it will give it an entirely different look. Free instant update.

If however, you want the latest colors and styles, keep in mind that they change quite often. So, if you don't have the resources to overhaul your house every few years, here are some simple tips:

Buy a sofa in a neutral solid color. Try to keep the sofa in a nice clean line. Stay away from overstuffed or possibly camel back couches . A quality sofa is an investment. By choosing a sofa in a neutral color, you can change the look of your room with throw pillows, an area rug, and a new coat of paint. There are so many reasonable, and discounted home stores out there, that you can find whatever accessories are hot at the moment, for next to nothing. And if you do find yourself in an upscale design house, before you buy that oil painting or stone statue, you can't live without, take a deep breath. Then go to a home store and buy a similar painting in a canvas transfer, and that stone statue in a price friendly resin one. If you are indeed a décor diva, they will end up in a yard sale in a few years anyway.

Whatever look and feel you want your home to display, always add some personal touch. You want to connect with your home. And you want your guests to feel a connection to you and your home when you're entertaining.