Decorating your living space is an essential step toward feeling at home in it. It’s a cathartic, satisfying thing to do for some, and a frustrating headache of a task for others - either way, most people agree that it’s wonderful to live in a space that’s decorated exactly to your taste.
While it’s true that everyone has their own unique style, here are five general tips for decorating your space that (we hope) anyone will find useful.
- Think About Space
Let’s start with the basics - what is the physical space you’re working with? A studio apartment will have different decor restrictions than say, a fully detached cottage, so plan accordingly. Is there not enough furniture? Too much? Don’t be afraid to add/remove furnishings to get the result you want! (HiAtlas properties even offer the flexibility to add or remove items to your heart’s content).
Other factors to consider are mirrors, which create the illusion of a larger space, and the use of darker colours (for example, in the curtains or rugs) to make the space seem smaller. That brings us to...
- Consider Colour
One of the most common mistakes that amateur decorators make is that of not sticking to a colour plan. Before you even begin, note the shades that already exist in the space - the wood or carpet on the floor, the shade of the walls, the trim on the windowsills and skirting etc.
After you’ve taken this into account, create a colour swatch (Coolors.co is a great website for generating swatches) and stick to that when buying furniture, wall hangings and other decor. This will add a smart consistency to your decorative decisions and help create an appealing cohesion in the space. Be warned, though - it is possible to overdo brighter or desaturated colours. Trust your eye!
- Have Fun With Inspiration
When you get some downtime, don’t be afraid to go to town imagining your dream decor. Create moodboards and mindmaps, doodle sketches or browse social media for ideas. Pinterest and Instagram are your friend here - see what other people have done with their living spaces and save your favourites for reference when working on your own place - it can be a wonderfully enjoyable way to wind down after a long day of work.
- Department Stores Are Your Friend
No, really - once you’ve gotten inspired by all the expensive-looking apartment decorations on other people’s social media pages, hit the department stores. While not being the most high-end offerings in the grand scheme of things, these stores offer furniture, wall art, upholstery, bedding and more that is designed to be good-looking but affordable. This is a double win if you’re on a budget, meaning you can get the look you want without breaking the bank!
- Take Your Time and Have Fun
The most important part of all of this is that it’s an enjoyable, rewarding thing to do. Take some time to live in the space before you really get stuck in, and figure out exactly what you want and where it’ll go. Doing all your moving in, unpacking and decorating at once can be a tiring and stressful experience! There’s no rush and, if you really take your time, you’ll end up with the most beautiful and satisfying end result.