Congratulations! Following months of paperwork, appointments, and removal vans, you’re ready at last to move into a new home – and with that brand-new start comes the opportunity to unleash your creativity and create a space that feels uniquely yours. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or you’ve found a new apartment to rent, the opportunity to decorate a house is always filled with excitement and possibilities.
To capitalize on those possibilities, then, we’ve shrewdly written the article below. It explores the art of decorating a new home, providing you with practical tips, creative ideas, and inspiration to help you embark on this exciting journey. From defining your style and planning your décor to incorporating personal touches and working within a budget, we’re about to guide you through every step of this exhilarating experience.
So, flip open those color brochures, awkwardly pivot that couch from one side of the stairs to the other, and let’s delve into a world of pure imagination!
Defining Your Style
Before we start peeling back that wallpaper, however, let’s peel back the layers on you, and learn more about your personal style. Your style is what makes your home feel distinctively yours, and it influences every aspect of the decorating process. If you’re not sure what your style is, take some time to survey different design aesthetics and find inspiration. You could gather some up-to-the-minute home décor magazines, browse social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest, or even visit actual furniture stores and design showrooms to get an idea of what stands out to you.
Once you’ve found some inspiration – or, at the very least, a product or two you like – take note of the common themes and design elements that catch your eye. Are you gravitating towards sleek, modern lines, or do you prefer a more traditional, cozy feel? Do you like bright colors or neutral palettes? Identifying these key elements will help you to define your personal style, and will make creating a cohesive, interesting design scheme a whole lot easier.
Remember, figuring out a style takes time, and it’s okay to experiment and try out new things in the meantime. Your personal style should be a reflection of you and your unique taste, so enjoy sampling the very best that Pinterest has to offer!
Arranging Your Décor
Once you’ve defined your personal style, it’s time to start planning your décor to ensure a seamless and well-thought-out design extends throughout your new home. Here are some key points to consider:
Room Prioritization
Begin by prioritizing the rooms or areas you want to focus on first. We’d recommend starting with high-traffic areas such as the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms, and then move on to secondary spaces like the home office or guest rooms.
Budgeting
By establishing a budget early on, you’ll be able to allocate your resources wisely, conserving funds for any unexpected expenses or repairs that might arise while remodeling. Obviously, the big-ticket items will be the appliances and large furniture, and décor or artwork should be much cheaper, provided it’s not from a gallery!
Layout and Space Planning
Evaluate the layout and dimensions of each room. You don’t need to be an architect in order to draft a simple sketch of your surroundings; this will help you to visualize where each element will be placed.
Theme or Design Scheme
Based on that personal style we settled upon earlier, decide if you want to establish a specific theme or design scheme throughout your home. This can be based on a particular color palette, a specific era or style, or even a cultural influence. Having a cohesive theme will create harmony and a sense of continuity throughout your home.
Timeline and Implementation
Draw up a timeline for your décor project, taking into account any deadlines or events that may impact the process. Break down the tasks into manageable steps, such as painting, furniture delivery, and accessorizing, and decide whether you’ll want to do the decorating yourself or hire a professional. The latter is easier but more costly, and you’ll need to allow time for the tradespeople to be available.
Choosing Colors and Themes
This is probably the most fun part: choosing your colors! Colors have the power to evoke emotions, set the mood, and enhance the overall ambiance of your home. But before you coat the walls in an oily black or luminous green, think about the following:
Consider Your Personal Preferences
Now that you know what your personal style is, are there any colors that you’re particularly enchanted by? Prioritize colors that make you feel comfortable and inspired.
Explore Color Psychology
A quick trip to Color Psychology.org will help you to to understand the effects that different colors can have on mood and perception. For example, blue is often associated with calmness and tranquility, while yellow is associated with energy and positivity. Use this knowledge to create the desired atmosphere in each room; a bouncy yellow might be too much for a child’s bedroom, for instance.
Factor In Natural Light
Take into account the amount of natural light in each room when selecting colors. Rooms with ample sunlight can handle bolder and brighter colors, while rooms with limited natural light may benefit from softer tones. This will be easier to estimate if you’re moving in during the summer months.
Experiment with Accent Colors
Once you’ve established a base color palette, consider adding accent colors to inject personality and visual interest. Accent colors can be introduced through accessories, artwork, or statement furniture pieces, and should complement the base color. For example, blue and brown go well together, evoking both the ocean and the earth!
Incorporating Personal Touches
Finally, one of the most rewarding aspects of decorating a new home is the ability to infuse it with your own personal touches. These touches are what make a house truly feel like a home and reflect your individuality. Here are some ideas to get you started, but like we say, it’s up to you!
Display Your Memories
Showcase cherished memories by displaying personal photographs, artwork, or mementos. You could also take a look at our “13 Unique Wall Art Ideas for Decorating Your Home” article, if you need more inspiration!
Shop for unique art prints to fill the walls of your new home!
Showcase Your Hobbies
Dedicate a space to display items related to your hobbies or passions. Whether it’s a bookshelf for your collection, a wall dedicated to musical instruments, or a corner for your yoga practice, incorporating elements of your hobbies will add depth and personality to your home. These spots will also make excellent conversation pieces at your housewarming party!
Personalized Accessories
Thanks to Zazzle, you also have access to an endless supply of customizable accessories. How about personalized throw pillows, monogrammed towels, or custom-designed frames? These items will add a unique, personal touch – even if it’s by way of our Independent Creators.
Scent and Ambiance
If you want to create a soothing, relaxed atmosphere in your rooms, then punctuate it with candles, diffusers, or essential oils. Finally, add soft lighting with lamps or string lights to make things feel particularly intimate.
Lastly, don’t forget that decorating a new home is an ongoing process. As your tastes evolve and your life changes, you may want to redecorate again, and it’s natural to get bored of certain colors or décor as well. When such a time comes, simply return to this article and go through the process again, asking yourself the same questions. Congratulations once again on the end of your house-hunting quest, and best of luck in your house-beautifying adventure!
Eoin is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork. He’s recently bought a house with his fiancée, and thus most of his time these days is spent trying to keep the walls from caving in and the wolves from the door. Still, he’s always open to book, game, and movie recommendations, so if you have some, let him know: he’ll add them to a very, very long list.
