How To Prevent Home Decorating Mistakes

When you look at a space in your home that needs an immediate make-over do you get excited and work smoothly or get overwhelmed and stop right away. Well here are some tips that will empower you to tap your creative gene and prevent home decorating mistakes.

1) Always be familiar with the space that you will be decorating.

Grab a pen and a paper, tape measure and make a scale layout of the room's perimeter because the best visual remembrances fail against the reality of a scaled drawing in front of you. By this you will have a representation of the room and you will now be able to determine the sizes of the furniture you wish to purchase.

2) Create a checklist of all the supplies and materials you will need. It's best to list the items by urgency of their use.

3) Establish a budget range

The guidelines of a budget save not only your wallet but sometimes your relationship. If you choose to splurge, at least you do so intentionally.

4) Walls and floors are your frame

Consider the floor and walls as your frame. Pay attention to the colors and coverings of your frame. As you decorate within this canvas, remember that this "frame" unifies your decorating, so it is most the logical place to start.

5) Choose lighting fixtures that work best for you functionality wise and aesthetically wise.

6) Don't be afraid to be bold on your design. Mix colors, textures and patterns. Browse magazines or displays for inspiration.

7) Whether you prefer traditional, contemporary, or modern, decorate with your personal sense of style. Be bold not intimidated by mixing period pieces. Eclectic style works provided proportion, color, pattern and texture appear harmonious.

8 ) Do your homework. Learn more about the product you want before you get them. Tou would reap the rewards of some time spent learning more about the products you use to decorate—especially big-ticket items.

9) Balance and scale work together. When you look at the positioning of elements in your room and something hits a discord in you, chances are proportions clash. Getting the balance and scale right takes some practice. Again, take cues from other resources.

10) Use space effectively

It is eminently helpful to make scaled cutouts of the furniture and position all the pieces to your liking within your scale drawing. Gather large pieces to make the most of a focal point. Arrange some informal seating areas.

Happy decorating!