The dust has settled and the contractor and crews are gone! Finally, your home belongs to YOU again and you are ready to begin redocrating your remodel. Time to get started making all those things you've dreamed about in your new space a reality.
So you have had a million ideas about what you want to do, now how are you going to do it? Pictures! Yes, nothings speaks as loudly as a picture. Define what your inspiration is for your room and keep it, or if it is too large, a picture of it with you at all times.
You have probably been keeping your eye out at department stores or in magazines while you have been displaced from your home during your remodel, and found a multitude of things you like. Keep a scrapbook or clip and paste those ideas on a piece of paper...whatever works best for you. Keep your notes handy so when you are out shopping and see something you like you have a point of reference to see how it all fits together. For myself, I kept a swatch of my drapery fabric with me as my inspiration for everything else in the room. I was able to match flooring, paint choices and accessories all off of one swatch of fabric!
But wait...Before your spend money on those items, the first thing you need to do is decide how much you can afford to spend to update your space. You don't only need to think about your NEW space, but how does this new space flow with the rest of your home? Will your new space make the rest of your home look outdated?
The most difficult issue about sticking to your budget is the "it's not much more" factor. My husband and I recently remodeled our kitchen, and we found ourselves constantly saying, "well this is nice but for just a few dollars more we can have this". All of those 'little' items ending up adding about $3,000.00 to our initial budget, and we found ourselves picking up our jaws off the floor when it was all said and done. Stay within your budget and don't allow yourself the little extras if you don't have the money to 'pad' your costs.
So at the risk of writing a novel, let's keep this article on point and stick with issues that will make the biggest impact to your room. Paint, carpet or flooring, and window dressings make up your "canvas" onto which all other details are added. These are your biggest decisions to make.
Paint is HUGE. The color of your new room needs to be something you can look at everyday (at least for a while) and know that you will LOVE it. Please, take my advice and spend the money on more expensive paint that covers well in one or two coats. Not only will it look better, it applys well and works well with the paint brushes. Cheap paint is not worth your time, patience, and money. Avoid making your flooring and wall paint match (for instance tan flooring and beige walls). The monotony can drive you mad if you don't have the experise or decorating accumen to add punch and color with your furniture and accessories. The floor and walls however, should stay within the same pallette and coordinate well.
You also need to consider the flooring throughout the rest of your home. Resale value of homes dictates that flooring should flow from one room to another without breaks, so choosing a different carpet color for that new bedroom may look great in the room, but how does it look and flow with the rest of your carpet in your home?
Before painting, check the walls for holes and imperfections. a dark paint will especially make those minor flaws stand out. If you need to patch, be sure to do so with spackle, and add "texture in a can" to spray on after the repair so the texture will match the rest of the wall if needed. Then touch up with a light sanding. Hopefully your contractor will have taken care of this for you on your final punch list.
Window treatments should tie together your walls and flooring, or somehow connect with other elements in the room such as the couch, wall hanging or area rug. My suggestion is to tie into the furniture because other elements such as floor rugs can be removed at any time whereas furniture is not replaced as frequently. Don't be afraid to make a statement and choose an ornamental curtain rod or drapery scarf to add a little drama to the room. You don't need alot of fabric, particularly if you have chosen to implement horizontal blinds, plantation shutters or shades. The cost of window dressings can be appalling, so it is definitely one of your biggest investments in your home and you should weigh the cost considerably.
Lighting fixtures are another big visual. If you have followed the trends these days, you have opted for recessed lighting in your ceiling and that "pop corn" ceiling has now been replaced with a textured "skip trowel" look or other ceiling texture that compliments your style. Wherever that fixture is needed, find something that you like online or at your home improvement store that adds to the likeability and feel of the room. Nothing can outdate a room more than an old, ugly light fixture that you have refused to replace. Yuck!
Every room needs a focal point. For you it may be that grand piano, your son's artwork, wide screen tv, or indoor water fountain! Whatever it is arrange and choose furniture in the room that brings attention to it. Rooms should feel open and inviting, and the best way to accomplish this is to position your furniture in a way that brings attention to your focal point but remains warm and friendly.
Now it's time to add the final touches. Nic-nacs, paintings, mirrors and the fun stuff get to be your new experiment. Try to place your objects together in "groupings of items" rather than random objects placed arbitrarily on top of furniture. Remember, it's about balance, color and line. Place tall, medium and small objects together and arrange by color. Don't be afraid to try things that you don't think will work. Those "out of the box ideas" can often times be your best!
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