Decorating A Room From Scratch? 5 Useful Starting Points
Decorating and furnishing an empty room from scratch can be more of a challenge than you expect. With almost limitless choices and a blank canvas to work with, many homeowners may be overwhelmed with the task, sometimes not even knowing where to begin. One thing that can get you started in a positive way is to find the right element to begin with. Here are five of the most useful starting points.
1. Floor Coverings. The flooring choices in any room are some of the biggest, but often most overlooked, design elements. They can have a big impact on what you add next. If you have a dark wood floor, for instance, you may want to lighten up things with lighter wall colors and furnishing palettes. Starting with a busy Oriental rug? Simplify the décor on top of it to avoid the room being too busy.
2. The Largest Furniture. What will be the most visually obtrusive piece of furniture? If your large sectional will take up a lot of space in the family room, your choice of other furnishings may need to be limited, slim, mobile, or otherwise designed to fit in with the primary piece. Planning the family room around your giant screen TV? Start with placement for the best view and work from there.
3. Your Favorite Item. Not every starting point has to be large. Find your favorite item that you intend to use in the room. It could be a new pendant lamp purchased just for this space or it might be that painting you brought back from Europe on your honeymoon. This item, no matter what its size or purpose, can serve as inspiration in terms of style, theme, color, and time period.
4. Architectural Details. Does the room itself have something unusual in its structure? Older homes may have unique original features like molding, window shapes, or even imperfections. Newer homes may have high ceilings, a picturesque window, stairs, or a fun nook. Whatever stands out, use it for inspiration. Even gleaming chrome fixtures could lead you to choose a modern décor style, a color palette, and a minimalist tone.
5. Nonnegotiable Items. Does the room have to house something whether or not you want it? Your living room may have to hold your family's giant television, but that doesn't mean it must be defined by it. By working with it first, you have available a number of interior design tricks to minimize its impact. But if you leave it until later, you won't have many options in a finished room.
No matter what starting point you choose, residential interior design services can be a great resource. They will work with whatever inspires you or whatever limits the room has in order to bring out its best.