DÉCOR TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

Does the thought of attempting a home décor project seem daunting? Sometimes knowing where to start can be the most difficult decor decision. But with a little advice, some creativity and a dash of hard work you can create a stylish space that you’ll adore.

Getting off the starting block

Don’t buy paint until you have planned your space and you have decided on the colour schemes and theme. The infinite number of paint colours available will allow you to select the perfect colour for your decor theme once you have decided on the other elements of the room, such as floor covering, window treatments and furniture.  

But just what should you do first? Should you buy a whole roomful of furniture or choose a rug that you love? You really can start wherever you want and work it all together into a plan. But it does help if you start with a plan, an inspiration piece and a colour scheme.

Find your source of inspiration and work your way through your decorating project. You'll be happy you took the time to plan.

Deciding on a theme and co-ordinating a plan

A theme and a plan are the two most important things in decorating a room or your home. Planning is invaluable whether you are starting from scratch or doing a makeover. If you don't have a co-ordinated plan, the end result will reflect an unplanned look.

The theme that you decide on can be an era, such as modern, traditional or colonial, or it can be regional, i.e. French country, Asia inspired or Bohemian. Theme can also mean colour scheme.

Balancing Act

Balance and proportion are usually why, when you walk into a well decorated home, it just feels right. It’s about giving a room visual equilibrium and a feeling of poise and completion.

1.   Symmetrical balance

• This is when each side mirrors the other and the grouping of things in pairs. For example, a window has a pair of curtains, two ornaments on a mantelpiece, or lamps and a bedside table on either side of a bed.  Symmetrical balance is regarded as formal and conservative. It is quite alright to have a different theme in different rooms, but within one room, the aim is that the decor should look as if it is part of an overall harmonious plan.

• Keep in mind the one-third rule, for example the ornaments on a mantelpiece should be one-third of the height of the wall above, tiebacks should be placed one-third of the way from the bottom of the curtains or a picture above a couch should occupy at least one-third of the space above it.

2.  Asymmetrical balance

• This is when each side is similar in size, but not necessarily a mirror image as in symmetrical balance. Asymmetrical balance is more interesting to the eye and an example of this design principle would be a table with a floral arrangement on one side of the room and a grouping of candlesticks on the other. 

• Large heavy pieces of furniture should not be grouped together on one side, as this will give the room a 'lop-sided' appearance. Give a room more balance by spacing larger items of furniture throughout the room. If you have two large items of furniture, try placing them opposite each other. This will appear to have more balance, than placing them in random positions. Balance is about the placing of objects according to their visual weight.

Step on the scale

Scale is how the size of the items in a room relates to the size of the room. There is no need to worry about all the decorating definitions and rules, as common sense is what is most important when it comes to proportion and scale in home decorating.

For example, an 8-seater oversized lounge suite would be out of scale in a small living room. Delicate bedside tables with thin legs would look out of proportion if it were placed either side of a large chunky king sized bed.

A kaleidoscope of colour

What would our world be without colour? Dull, boring, and even depressing. Colour instantly lifts the mood in a space and creates detail and interest. 

1.    Repetition

• Colour repetition is when, for example, you cover a few scatter cushions for your couches in the same material as your curtains or you pick a dominant colour from your curtains and cover some scatter cushions in a material of the same colour.

• Shape repetition is when, for example, your windows have an arched top and you repeat this shape by incorporating round back chairs into the room. 

• You can achieve a feeling of harmony in rhythm, by "echoing" a colour, pattern or shape in another part of a room. Using the same or similar table lamps in different parts of a room, will probably look better than two totally different lamps.

2.    Progression

• This is also known as gradual rhythm. It is about using the same colour in different shades or the same object in different sizes. Some examples might be the use of different sizes of framed mirrors, pictures or candlesticks. In colour, progression is achieved by using two hues of the same colour, such as dark and light blue in a room.

 
  TOP 10 HOME DECORATING TIPS:

1. Set a budget and stick to it. No matter how much you like that ultimate dining room table.
2. Set aside a dedicated time to work on the project every week until it is done.
3. Get the whole family involved, after all it is their home too and you will appreciate the extra hands.
4. Keep clippings from magazines with home decor designs that appeal to you, they will serve as inspiration before and during the project.
5. Buy everything that you need before you start the project, that way the look will be co-ordinated and like pieces from different puzzles.
6. Read the manuals and instructions, do your homework. You will be thankful once the project is completed smoothly and it will save you loads of time.
7. Don’t do anything extreme before getting the opinion of friends and family (paint doesn’t come off that easily).
8. If the task at hand becomes too big, don’t hesitate to hire a professional, but make sure they are fully qualified and capable to take on your project and complete it successfully.
9. Safety first – hire a professional to do anything you are unfamiliar with, such as electrical work, plumbing and anything structural (breaking down a wall or adding on to a room).
10. Have fun! Decorating should be a labour of love.