What Is Your Decorating Style

Most home renovators work hard to create a living space that defines their lifestyle, creativity, and is an extension of their personality. The fundamental question that everyone should ask before sending any money on home renovations is, “What is my style.” Answering this question is both easy, and difficult, leaving many home decorators struggling to create the image carried in their mind.

Understanding your style requires some research. The first thing you need to ask is why you are redecorating. Those who redecorate because they are bored may find that the current style and colors does not reflect their personality and lifestyle.

Those who redecorate because they have moved up the social scale need to look into traditional home decorating styles.

It is important to understand your style before starting to decorate. Having a blueprint will help you define everything from paint colors to finishing pieces.

The decorating task is easier to accomplishing a clear goal is defined and you can create a picture of the end result. To create a picture, you need to determine whether you want to copy and existing style, or create something original.

To recreate a copy of a traditional style, a decorator only needs to find some good magazines and books. Cut out pictures and create a collage of items that will be in the room. This can be taken to home decorating shows, and used when surfing the net.
The most important thing to know when recreating a traditional style is to find the focal point of the room, whether it is a piece of furniture, art, or comforter.

This is the most important piece of the room. Everything else will be build on that one item.

Original decorating ideas are harder to create. It is important to build the room from a focal point out. However, the focal point can be something as simple as a throw rug, or as complex as a wall quilt.

The next step is to pick a theme. The theme will translate into wall art, decorative pieces, rugs, plants, or the lack of these items. The theme is a unique aspect that only you can bring to the room.

A homeowner may love the traditional European style of room. The room design itself is fairly basic, built on oversized furniture, luxurious fabrics, and rich colors. However, the theme will determine whether the room is deep burgundies, gold, blues, or ten tawny colors. The theme may also determine the feel of the room.

An Egyptian theme will use gold colors and cleaner lines with animal figures, while a Bulgarian theme will use ornately decorated furniture and huge portraits of people.

The next thing to take into consideration is the amount of time you spend caring for your home. Egyptian cotton sateen sheets are lovely, but require more care than a cotton polyester blend. A luxurious room looses its luster very quickly if the fabrics and paints are not cared for properly.

One mistake that many homeowners make is believing they will change their lifestyle to suite their home, this never happens, leaving them disappointed with the overall results of their room in as little as six months.

The last thing is cost. If cost is a factor, the only viable option is to shop for home decor items, linens, and furniture online. The products are the same as are found in any high end home decorating store, but they are often one-third to one-half the price, making it possible to purchase the right pieces for your home.

This is not a five minute job. It is common for a person’s style to alter and change as they work through these steps. Research will open up new ideas and broaden your horizons. This will have a dramatic effect on your final room.

There is only one mistake that almost guarantees unsatisfactory results. Do not walk into furniture stores and home decorating stores and try to create the perfect room from there. These stores are too limited, and are often limited to the store decorator’s idea of fashion and taste.

Finally, put your work away for two weeks. Relax, open a bottle of wine, and review all your work. Lay the collages out, even turn it into a party with friends. If you still like your work, then it is time to go shopping.

Patricia Taylor advises on home furnishings and decor from her web site at Wall Fountains Here. She invites you to get her FREE home decorating guide here Diningroom Sets Here.