Whether it's your first time or you've done it many times before, the excitement of designing your home never really goes away. However, want to know one thing that does go away every time? Money.
With an endless supply of visual inspiration for your different rooms, you can search Pinterest, magazines, and bloggers whose style you identify with. The internet has made it easier than ever to get a realistic picture of what your home could look like, so there's no reason to waste money or time buying things you're unhappy with. Shelley from Freshome recommends shopping around and creating a budget before you actually buy anything, that way you're totally aware of what you're getting yourself into before you take the plunge.
One of the most important aspects of a room's design is its wall color. The right paint can pull a room together, but a lot of unnecessary money goes into hiring people to paint for you. However, paint itself is actually pretty cheap, which means you could save a decent amount of money by simply painting the walls yourself. While it may take some time and effort, it's easier than you think. Plus, by painting the walls you're helping to actually create a space that's truly yours.
On one hand, investing in secondhand furniture can be a good route to take if you want to save money. However, cheap furniture may be poorly designed, which means those chairs you grow to absolutely love will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Investing in quality items will save you money in the long run and you won't have to get rid of the items you love.
When it comes to investing in quality furniture, it's important to decide what kind of style you enjoy most. After all, you'll be living with the furniture for a while before it's time for replacement. If you love classic, yet eclectic decor, then French country home furniture may be right for you. However, if you love the streamlined look of mid-century modern design, there's tons of resources and inspiration for you as well. If you hone your home's aesthetic with high-quality pieces, it can easily be a representation of your own, individual sense of style.
Interior design is usually a team effort. With so much to do, it can easily be overwhelming. That's why you should consider seeking some help to get things done, from decorating, to more labor-intensive tasks like lighting and electrical work, or even spackling and woodwork.
If you're close to somebody who has a passion for decorating, it's worth it to ask for help. It could avoid spending too much money and introduces more personal, nuanced design details that you may not have considered. When it's time to actually move furniture, calling in a few friends to help muscle everything around is never a bad idea, too.
Achieving a beautifully designed home doesn't have to break the bank. With some smart planning and a little bit of help, you'll be well on your way with some extra money in your wallet to look forward to. All that's left is to stop waiting and start designing your dream home!