3 Easy Ways to Take Your Home Decor from Boring to Beautiful
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Photo: Rene Syler
A couple of days ago, a friend dropped off one of my kids after a play-date (my kids are teens, can I still call it a play-date?). When she walked into the entry she asked, "Who's your decorator?" I told her my decorator was multi-faceted; she not only decorates but she also does hair, make-up, a little sewing, and even less cooking. In short, my decorator is me.
I'm not a professional: I didn't go to school for interior design, and I only rarely pick up magazines or books on it. But I do know what I like. Decorating, whether it's your entire home or your little Time Out corner, can be daunting, so here are three quick tips that might make that task a bit easier.
1. Know what you like. This is the foundation; once you know it, everything will flow from that place. I like the impact of a lot of little things grouped together. I also love lots of color and rough, rugged furniture; you won't find wicker or white walls in my place. It doesn't mean it's wrong; it's just not me. But if you like light and bright, then go for it! Remember, you're the one who's going to live there so you have to be happy.
2. Say good-bye to convention. This is where so many people get tripped up. They worry too much about the "rules". So write your own rulebook. Who says you can't paint a small room red like I did in my powder room? Who says the funiture needs to match or that things have to be perfectly balanced? Put all of that out of your head and experiment. Do you like it? Then leave it!
3. Mistakes are learning experiences. Repeat after me: it's only paint. Holes in sheetrock can be repaired and they sell all different colors of paint at the hardware store. So if, when it's all finished, you walk through the room and think, "I hate it!" -- change it! Then make a mental note not to make that choice again. (If you're really venturing outside your comfort zone, start small; paint one wall and live with it for a little while before doing the rest of the room).
Remember that you're doing this for the people who spend the most time there, not for those who come in and spend 30 minutes at a time. It doesn't have to be perfect; it has to be you.
Does your home reflect who you are? What's your best easy decorating tip?
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