"Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want." --Jim Rohn
As a frequent traveler, I'm often amazed at how dramatically my mood changes depending on where I am staying. I have stayed in some very nice hotels that were so warm and welcoming I loved being in my room. Other rooms were so dark and uninviting I found my mood spiraling downward. Our environment and surroundings play a huge part in how we feel on a day-to-day basis. Think about it. When your home is messy, chaotic, cluttered, and filled with piles, how do you feel? My guess is "stressed" is amongst the adjectives that top your list. Likewise, when our homes are clean and straightened we feel more at peace.
So why not create a dream home for yourself? You don't need a million dollar budget and a designer's help. Instead, approach your home with the same mentality we bring to this challenge - one day, one step, one project - at a time.
The task of beautifying your home will be an ongoing process. I recommend getting a separate binder for this project. I have a binder with dividers for each room of the house that I wanted to "beautify." Then when I found pictures, ideas, or had inspirations, I would store the information behind the applicable room tab.
The process of going through your home is much like when we created the MASTER TASK LIST. Choose a room in which to start. Sit down for a good twenty minutes, really taking in all the items, furniture, textures, and colors of the room. Then imagine how you would like the room to be. Don't be shy, write down anything that comes to mind no matter how crazy it seems. There may be things on your list that aren't practical right now and that's okay. These notes will give you a clue into the traits and mood you want to create in the room and you may be able to find a less expensive alternative. (For example, in one room I would have loved new hardwood floors. Instead, I found that sanding the current wood floors and covering them with inexpensive rugs purchased at a wholesale outlet, created the nice warm feeling I was looking for.)
Here are some specific things to think about in each room: COLOR: Do the walls represent the room? If your house has all white walls, consider toying with color. Painting a room is the quickest way to give it a fresh look. Stenciling is another option for those who don't want to brave a full paint makeover. If you want to keep your white walls, are there prints or paintings that could be added to give the room a new tone? What types of prints and paintings would you enjoy - abstract, contemporary, wildlife? What colors should the paintings emphasize to help coordinate the overall color of the room?
FURNITURE: Are there pieces of furniture that need to be refinished, repaired, or replaced? Are there any pieces you would like to add?
WINDOWS: Do you like your current window coverings? If not, what would you prefer? Would you like to go with a valance? Blinds? No coverings?
DECORATIONS: What elements could be added to change the tone of the room? How about a small water fountain in a room where you like to relax? Fountains can be found very inexpensively at stores like Target or Wal-Mart. Would an arrangement of candles or dried flowers add to the room? Could you remove items to simplify the space? Could you swap items with items from another area of the house for a fresh feel?
FOLIAGE: What about plants? Plants quickly provide a new feel within a room. If you have a bad history with plants, don't despair. Visit your local garden center and explain you want a very durable plant for someone without a "green thumb." These garden experts can help you pick the plant that is best for you.
FLOOR COVERING: How do you want your floors to look? Would you like rugs, floor coverings, hardwood, or to lay new tile?
Idea-Gathering Gathering ideas can be a very fun step. Begin by paging through magazines and finding attractive rooms. For example, if you are working on your living room, begin by finding living rooms that have a theme or feel you would like to emulate in your own home. Don't worry if you can't find something that is exactly like what you want; you can clip furniture from one picture and paintings from another. Here are a few more sources for idea-gathering:
1. If you have a friend who has a "knack" for displays and interior design, consider seeking her help and recommendations.
2. Visit furniture stores, antique shops, and department stores to gather ideas for displays and decoration. Check your local library and bookstore for additional books and ideas.
3. The internet also has a ton of great resources for decorating. Try doing a search at www.google.com for decorating. The Better Homes and Gardens website has a lot of great resources as well - you can find that at www.bhg.com.
4. Visit your local improvement store. Look at their idea books and magazines. Find paint samples and color palettes that are appealing to you.
5. Let the process of gathering ideas take as long as you desire. Remember this is a work in progress. Once you have some ideas, pick one to start. I encourage you to work through one room at a time, completing it in its entirety before moving to the next room. This way you will be able to enjoy one room while working on the others and not cause a lot of clutter or disruption in the home.
Remember that decorating and performing a facelift to a room needn't be costly or time consuming. Adding a new print to a wall, colorful pillows to a couch, or a few plants can breathe new life into a tired room.
Your Assignment
Begin gathering ideas. Try to choose at least one idea that can be implemented today to beautify your home.
Brook Noel is the author of The Change Your Life Challenge: A 70 Day Life Makeover Program for Women. Her unique program has helped thousands of women "makeover" all aspects of their lives. Learn more at http://www.changeyourlifechallenge.com
Our homes, carefully oriented, have the power to give us... Read More
Open Windows ? Curtains fluttering from a warm breeze ?... Read More
The original, the granddaddy of all of today's items bought... Read More
A Japanese Sword is a wonderful decoration to add to... Read More
The topic of eastern influences on western interiors is a... Read More
Candle holders are an essential accessory for candles. The first... Read More
When decorating your bathroom, it is important to choose practical... Read More
Anyone perusing through the websites looking for lighting fixtures to... Read More
The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal... Read More
If you love animal prints or have an exotic theme... Read More
A dining room can be such a fantastic place to... Read More
Vending massage chairs are coin-operated devices that can be found... Read More
A room divider in a theme that compliments your décor... Read More
Wood wine racks provide the best storage system for a... Read More
Feng shui is a very popular and intriguing concept in... Read More
Ceiling fans sell at a wide range of prices. They... Read More
A Duvet Cover is actually just another name for a... Read More
One of the easiest ways to accent and decorate your... Read More
For those striving to create a bedroom retreat, a haven... Read More
Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock. It is chemically... Read More
Did you know that our bodies can automatically react to... Read More
Since conservatories have so many windows, choosing conservatory blinds is... Read More
Waterbeds provide a unique sleeping experience. They can be great... Read More
How many ways can you display posters? With the easy... Read More
Conservatories are such lovely and serene rooms that homeowners want... Read More
Human resource officers have, over the past decade or so,... Read More
Wood mini blinds are one variety of wood blinds for... Read More
When tackling a do-it-yourself home decorating project, you can use... Read More
From their inception, fresh fruit baskets were exactly that ?... Read More
If Josiah Wedgwood were alive today, even he would be... Read More
Roman shades are inexpensive and elegant window treatment to block... Read More
How do you envision your dream home? Is it rich... Read More
In this time period, people are as busy as ever.... Read More
Modern bathroom vanities and medicine cabinets come in a huge... Read More
What is the lure and appeal of country home decorating?... Read More
Seasoning a Cigar HumidorTo keep the things we cherish in... Read More
Exotic hardwood floors are made up of solid exotic wood... Read More
Redesigning your home for summer gives you the opportunity to... Read More
I like decorating my kitchen with a cozy, warm, inviting,... Read More
The Murphy bed, once the best way to fit into... Read More
Spring is here and for many of us it's the... Read More
If Josiah Wedgwood were alive today, even he would be... Read More
Dear friends,Any room in your home is primarily a space... Read More
In order to help give a room a classier touch,... Read More
Upholstered armchairs and sofas are comfortable and attractive additions to... Read More
There is this undocumented story about Andrew Carnegie who kept... Read More
Just like a nice outfit, your kitchen can benefit from... Read More
One of the most highly sought after pieces of furnishings... Read More
One personal junk is another personal treasure. Never is that... Read More
When you see a house for the first time, one... Read More
In these days of deadlines and time limits, shower enclosures... Read More
Ahhh, the sumptuous days of summer. Clear skies, green lawns,... Read More
The air filter in an air conditioning system keeps the... Read More
Timeless and elegant, classic and stately-grandfather clocks are all of... Read More
Tired of plain, boring walls? Faux finishes are a great... Read More
If you are looking for durability and easy-to-maintain features in... Read More
Using accessories is a fun way to accent your bedroom... Read More
Room dividers can be both decorative and practical. They can... Read More
Stainless steel has emerged as the most popular choice of... Read More
There are several world renowned wood stove manufacturers that make... Read More
It's fun taking something apart and putting it back together... Read More
FIVE EASY STEPS TO DECORATING ETHNICNEW YORK, NY - With... Read More
Instead of cleaning, decorateTrying to maintain both a beautiful interior,... Read More
Not just food for pandas or the stuff of cheap... Read More
Oriental rugs can be purchased in a great variety of... Read More
Your dishwasher isn't measuring up to the price you paid... Read More
Interior Design & Decorating |