I thought for sure I had done a post on my top 5 decorating tips. Surely it’s there in the archives, but no. I couldn’t find it, and so that’s what I talking about today. This is a NEW post. If we had coffee and you asked me what my top 5 decorating tips were, this is what I would say, but only if you asked first. Here I give loads of decorating advice, but in real life, I don’t usually, unless asked.
Tip 1: KNOW YOUR PERSONAL STYLE
I think before you start decorating you really need to know where you are headed. You may not know exactly what you want your room to look like ahead of time, but at least know the zip code. If you get in your car and don’t know where you are going, you are probably going to burn up a lot of gas, and become frustrated. How can you go somewhere, unless you know where you are going first? You really need to define the style first, even if it is ‘crazy eclectic’. Otherwise, the room can feel like it is ungrounded. Have you ever been in a room and felt like there was something off? Do you have trouble knowing what to buy for a room? It’s a lot easier if you have some feel for the look you want. This is a very important step that many people skip.
Tip 2: DETERMINE YOUR COLOR PALETTE FOR THE ROOM
Yes it’s okay to have multiple colors in a room. But if you have one part of the room with loads of color and another part of that same room with neutrals, the room is probably going to look off-balance, and maybe like it has multiple personalities. Make a conscience decision to use specific colors for a room, and it will help you stay on track. It’s okay again to have other colors in the room, but knowing you are going to focus on specific colors helps in your planning.
Tip 3: USE ONE OF A KIND VINTAGE ITEMS IN A ROOM
Vintage items give a room depth. I think the vintage items are what makes your room unique. These are the things that keep your house from looking like everyone else’s house. You don’t have to have a room full of vintage items, but I think every room needs one or two vintage items. Here’s a link to the vintage items in my shop (in case you are looking!)
Tip 4: ADD TEXTURE
Each room needs different textures. You don’t want everything smooth and shiny. You want something rusty, something nubby, and so forth. If the room is neutral then you need every more texture so everything doesn’t look alike.
Tip 5: ADD PERSONALITY
This is your house, so it needs to reflect YOU. Does your room reflect who you are? If you are all about music, can I tell when I walk in the room? You don’t want your home to look like everyone else’s house. You want it to be an original. Copying elements is fine and smart, but be sure to add some things that show YOUR personality.
I hope that helps. What are YOUR tips for decorating?
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I think your advise is spot on! Noticed your bed coverings are in your color of the year. Love it.
I love the way you broke your tips down.
Lisa
Nice post Anita! Sometimes, I think it all comes down to lacking confidence in oneself. So many people that live in humble abodes see homes on blogs and television that are gorgeous and will never be within their reach. Instead of facing the reality that most of us live within our modest incomes, they more or less give up on trying to conquer their decorating issues. I am 72 and have always decorated with what felt right to me. I’ve lived within my means and tried to create a home that is warm and inviting … using vintage finds. I love it …. that is good enough for me. This is what I love showing others…it can be done!
I couldn’t help but look around my rooms as I read your tips! Great advice!
great advice! no cookie cutter home if you add the unique vintage items and texture. the idea of keeping to a general color palette for most of my home also helps when I change seasons, etc. I “shop my house” for items to be used differently, which is what I did yesterday and voila! I have a whole new look! I find that exciting!
Great article and I’ll look around to make a an inventory with respect to your ideas.
Thanks.
If I love it and feel like I can’t live without it, then I always find a place for it!!
I love your vintage finds!
Great tips! I have one more concerning vintage finds. You can find great vintage furniture and knickknacks at country auctions at good prices. Plan to spend the day. I love going to estate auctions and have furnished most of our house that way.
Great advice, Anita. Being on a budget sure makes decorating fun! I always think “if I could just start with everything new and perfect”, then I realize how much fun it is to find that one piece that makes the room look awesome! The thrill of the hunt is more fun! Thank you!
Great tips. Love your vintage pieces.
I LOVE neutrals. It’s so easy to add color with accessories, and as mentioned by Gayle, shop your house! Although I’ve recently purchased an inexpensive throw, Turkish towels, and neckroll for my bedroom in a lovely shade of lavender. I wonder what made me think of that??? Lol ?
Loved the tips! I’m re-evaluating some of my rooms. Do I count as a vintage item? 🙂
You made a great point with texture. In my opinion it is the most overlooked facet in a room done by an amateur. As you said, theses color there is in a room the more texture plays a key part. I think a great future post would be expanding texture and showing some examples. Thank you for an informative post.
Deciding on your own color pallet can be so difficult. Years ago I had a needlepoint pillow that I loved. The colors I chose for the pillow were my favorites. That was 20+ years ago. They are still my favorites and that is my pallet. Melon, leaf, aqua, cream. And yes, they complement my golden coloring.
Thank you for the tips. They will come in handy when I redecorate my room.
Thanks for highlighting the key steps! I can feel overwhelmed with just the remodel of our current home. Lots of choices starting with what walls to keep or remove and redesigning an entire kitchen. Then all of this to follow but to be considered throughout the process!
Thanks for sharing your tips. I looked around my living room to see if I had texture, vintage items, a color story, and personality. I did but just hadn’t broken it down into steps. I generally buy what appeals to me, and then find a place for it. I enjoy your blog. Keep writing ?
Still on bed rest after being hospitalized, so I am doing a lot of reading, planning and dreaming. Great article.
Thank you,
Sharon
Still on bed rest after being hospitalized so reading, dreaming and planning to redo the bedrooms.
Fitting Top 5 in perfect timing.
Thank you.
Sharon
I feel if I like it & it doesn’t work I just put something else in its place untill the piece looks & feels good.If that doesn’t work I just wait for the right piece… I just “Play”!
Wonderful advice. Thank you.
I love your style, but I can’t paint my entire house white. The color you used in the bedroom with the twin beds is something I really like. Could you tell me what color that is?
Most of my house is furnished with antiques, my problem is finding upholstered pieces to fit in with the antiques that don’t look out of place, and don’t cost a fortune. My budget is not always the best. I have found some great pieces at auction sales, I love auctions, you can pick up so much at them. Antique linens are a great find most times at auctions.
Great advice! Thank you!
I totally agree with your 5 tips, especially making it yours with things you love! Do you have triplets? Just wondering about the three single beds.
Vicki I have two girls. The bed is for a friend.
Thank you for the great post! My problem, of course, is selecting that color scheme and how to make it flow room to room (it’s all wide open). Still working on it…
Love your decorating! My problem is commuting to window treatments, but I hope to make progress in 2017.
I’m picking up things for my home when reno is completed and reading this post I am happy to say you have instilled this knowledge in me over the past few years. I’m going for a French Cottage with little Farmhouse touches.
The clock I just got is rusty and distressed, I have two antique armoire doors that are hand carved with a delicate bead and flower basket design, and my latest buy is an off white faux fur throw.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Oh, my veggie canisters got here safely. They are beautiful!
God bless!
Maggie
I love adding personal items to vignettes.
Also adding touches of whatever holiday or special day we celebrate.
And always bringing the outdoors in by way of branches, flowers, berries, nests, etc.
Love your shop!
I love the burlap bed spread with the long full bedskirt! Any measurements or tips on that?
That is linen. I need to do a post on how to make that. I will try to do that soon, thanks for the idea Robyn.
Anita, thank you for the tips! I especially agree on adding some unique vintage pieces. They add a lot of interest to the room and also create talking points with guests. Not every room in our house has some unique pieces, so there is still opportunity. Will check your store now 🙂
Love your blog! Thanks for the inspiration!!
I love this. I love how cozy, warm and inviting this looks and the use of blue as well as small touches throughout. When I redecorated recently I was going for a similar look for my bed room and dining area, so hubby and I used this place called Furnishr (www.furnishr.com if you’re interested) they had so many great options and they even cleaned up after they set everything. Totally recommend to everyone who’s redecorating.
My goal is to learn how to decorate my home. These are some great tips to get me started!