Decorating Advice
from The Experts How to Make the Most of Your Design Budget Your home is an important part of your life. It's where you laugh, love and play with your family and friends. It's also a big investment, so when it comes to making your home beautiful and comfortable, you want to make the most of your budget. "To keep your home up-to-date, a good plan is to redo a room every year or two. This spreads out the cost and stress of redecorating," said Bill Little of Accent Interiors. Here's where to start:
Set a budget
Deciding how much you can spend on the project allows you to prioritize those things you can afford to change now and plan for future purchases.
Establish priorities
First, ask yourself what you NEED. For instance, if you need privacy, then window treatments are a high priority. Then, decide what you WANT. What style or colors do you like, etc? Once you've identified what your room needs and what you want, you're ready to start shopping.
Select the first piece
"It could be a sofa, fabric, or a flea market vase, said Vicki Flores, interior designer for The Studio at Accent Interiors. "The only requirement is you love its style and color." Selecting the first piece helps you focus on certain styles and colors. This way you will not waste your budget buying things you like but that don't fit in this room.
Think eye level, mid level, floor
The first thing a person sees when they enter your room is generally the walls. Wall color and pattern, art work and window treatments are all eye level elements that begin to tell the story of your room. At mid level are furniture, lamps and accessories which are often the prettiest and most expensive part of a room. The floor should be seen last and should enhance the style you have set for the room.
Use a professional
Many people know what they like but don't quite know how to put it all together. Don't be afraid to ask for help. "Designers understand budgetary constraints and can help you spend your money wisely," Flores said. "Often, having a designer at your side can actually save you money since their experience in the business can help prevent you from making an expensive mistake."
Don't forget the icing
Your room might already have a good background, window treatments and furnishings but just needs a little freshening with new decorative embellishments. The final step in any good room design is the personalization offered by accessories. Keep in mind that a few larger pieces make a greater statement than many small ones. Here again, an experienced eye can help with size, texture, color and balance while the style stays totally yours. So, set your budget, decide what you need and want, and get started on your beautiful new room!
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