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8 Essential Items for Decorating Your New Home

October 27, 2015


Moving into a new home is exciting, stressful and a lot of work. Once all of the boxes are unpacked, you probably feel more than ready to start making your home your own. But before you start making decorating decisions, stop and consider these eight essentials you’ll need:

A junk pile

While you may have done some spring cleaning during the initial packing process, now that you’re in your new home, you may find that some of your possessions no longer suit your new style. Set unwanted items aside in donation or trash piles.

A plan for functionality

Think carefully about how you want to use each space and how your existing furniture should be situated. Before you begin any substantial decorating, you want to have a basic layout in mind.

A color palette

Choosing complementary colors for your home—whether for paint, furniture or other decorative items like window treatments and throw pillows—is an important step in tying all of your design decisions together. While you certainly don’t need to (nor should you) paint every room the same color, choosing colors that work well together will make your home feel like a more cohesive space.

A feel for style

The style you choose for decorating your new home may be partially dictated by the architecture and your existing belongings. Beyond those elements, think carefully about the style you want your decorations to invoke. Are you more modern or traditional?

A plan of attack

Depending on the size of your new home, decorating everything all at once can be intimidating. Instead, tackle each space or room one at a time so you can make clear, confident choices.

Supplies and tools for hanging pictures and artwork

Don’t just haphazardly bang some nails into the wall and consider your precious family photos and artwork “done.” Take a little extra time to use the right hardware and follow these instructions to make sure your frames get hung at the right height.

Color

Sure, it’s easier to match beiges, grays and whites, but added color to your rooms can really liven up each space and make your home feel more like, well, home. Don’t be afraid to buy the brightly colored throw pillows that make you smile or to paint your dresser bright red if it makes you happy.

Plant life

Having plants in your home may not seem like a necessity, but you’d be surprised how much a little greenery can make you feel more settled. If you don’t have the greenest thumb, start with a low-maintenance plant like an orchid. As long as you stick to the simple watering and care schedule, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful blooms.

And remember: Most basic decorating decisions aren’t permanent. You can always repaint walls, rehang frames or rearrange furniture as inspiration strikes. Just don’t be afraid to make your home your own.

 

Download our guide and learn how to decorate with mini orchids