Your first home is a milestone and, like many milestones, it can seem as daunting as it is exciting. An important part of turning your key in your own lock for the first time is the need to decorate your new home. For many people, financial reserves may be running low after the property’s purchase or rental. Even so, no-one wants to feel they are forced into decorating their home shoddily or in a substandard fashion, so here are a few ideas to get you started without needing to spend a lot of money.
Look at the Space
Before you rush to the DIY store or the haberdashery, look at the space. Consider which direction each room faces. When do they get light? How big are the windows? Answers to questions like these will hint at the colours you might want to use when decorating.
Think Neutral
Despite the mention of colours, a neutral backdrop – that is, walls and woodwork – often works well. There is less risk of you changing your mind in a hurry or deciding that your chosen colour isn’t, after all, quite right with the rug that Auntie Mary has given you. Embracing a neutral palette also frees you up to use whatever colours you want for rugs, cushions, pictures, vases and other knick-knacks. You should still think carefully about which neutrals to use when planning a colour scheme because, for example, there are warm whites and cool whites.
Window Dressings
When it comes to curtains, you may be taken-aback at the cost. While it is possible to pick up bargains or you may be a dab hand with the sewing machine, for most people, curtains call for budgeting. Many charity shops sell excellent quality second-hand curtains at a fraction of the cost of buying new. Other window coverings, such as waterproof roller blinds for kitchens and bathrooms can be bought from specialist retailers. Many sellers of waterproof roller blinds price their products competitively and also offer a great choice of colours and designs.
Have Patience
Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither is a new home decorated overnight. The best interiors are usually those that are designed incrementally over time. In the end, these are the homes that most clearly reflect the personalities of the people who live in them.
