Look for inspiration in interior decorating. Be critical. Look carefully at your room, taking into account the floor, walls and atmosphere. Don’t be too focused on the details. These are the questions to ask after you’re done.
o How does the room make you feel?
o Is it too formal?
o Are the colors too bright or too dark?
Do you think the flooring is too dark? Or would you prefer something darker and more anchored.
o Does the wallpaper/wall colour make you feel happy or annoyed?
o Are the furnishings warm, dark, white or colored?
o What are my favorite and least favourite things?
Sources of Inspiration
These are some ideas for decorating your home that you might not have considered:
Visit Design Models – Take home tours of model homes or visit decorator showhouses to see the work of skilled interior designers.
Design Shows on TV: Watch a few to get an idea of what you like. Then visit their websites for more information about interior decorating ideas.
Museums, Antiques, and Auctions – If antique or period furniture is something you are interested in, check out the decorative arts sections at local museums. You will learn about the various pieces available for home decoration and how they are valued.
Interior Decorating Books and Magazines: Browse your local library or online bookstore to find books or magazines about home decorating. These magazines will help you to understand the design process, the options available, and offer many interior decorating ideas.
Picking a Home Decorating theme is the easiest way to decorate. There are many themes to choose from, including pears for the kitchen and teddy bears for the baby’s bedroom. Your imagination is the only limit to your options. Consider your hobbies, dreams, places, and other design elements when choosing a theme to decorate your home.
Select a Decorating Style. These are guidelines that help you choose the right colors, textures, or elements for your decorating style. There are many interior decorating styles that can be used, including country ranch, Japanese, Tuscan and Mediterranean styles.
Research Online – There are thousands of websites and tools that can be used to decorate your home online.
Fabric is the starting point of many successful decorating projects. For decorating ideas, visit a fabric shop and pick up cuttings of all the items that interest you. To get a better idea of the design and color, stand at least 10 feet away from any sample fabric.
Decorating File – Create a home decor file with photos, magazines clippings and printouts. Also include samples of paint, flooring, or paint.