The only thing more exciting than moving into a new home is being able to furnish and decorate it exactly how you want it. But when it comes to decorating your new home, you might not know where to begin. Even if you’ve brought furniture with you, staging each room can be tricky. Below are four tips to keep in mind when furnishing your house.
Less Is More
If you’re starting out with a clean slate, it’s easy to load up on a lot of new furniture to fill each room. Many people assume that more is better. However, when it comes to furnishing your home, you should start off slow. Take inventory of each room and try to envision it completely furnished.
Sometimes, even though the idea of certain pieces seems right, it doesn’t work once you bring it home. Most places now offer free virtual staging. You can use your phone and virtually place pieces of furniture in the room to see what it will look like before you buy it. Using this tool, you can make sure you don’t regret buying a piece that ends up being unnecessary
Use a Tape Measure
Not measuring the space you want to furnish can end up a complete disaster. From over-sized sofas that obstruct walkways to bedroom furniture that doesn’t fit into the room, not measuring the room can cause a lot of issues. You should also measure the furniture you want to put in the room as well. If your current pieces are too large or small, it’s far better to find out prior to moving day.
Have Realistic Expectations
Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t feel like you need to furnish your entire home at one time. Take the time to get a feel for the space. What looks perfect while browsing online might not be the right choice once you’ve lived in your new home for a while. You should also see the pieces you’re considering in person prior to making a final decision.
Consider going room by room, starting with the rooms that are most important or most used. For many people they start with making the bedrooms comfortable and functional. To get this taken care of as quickly as possible, look for bedroom furniture sets. These will usually come with a bedframe, one or two nightstands, and dressers. Once your bedroom is unpacked and comfortable, you can focus on the rest of the house.
Invest in Pieces
Furnishing your new home doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but you should consider investing in quality pieces. They’ll be more durable and will last years. If you’ve had your eye on a specific bed frame or dining table, you can use that as your inspiration for the rest of the space. Since these are both pieces that you will use frequently, you want to make sure they’ll last.
While furnishing a new home is exciting, it can also be overwhelming too. Make a list of everything you have, everything you need, everything you’re willing to splurge on. Once settled, reevaluate the list and see if you feel the same. Furnishing your home should be enjoyable, not a source of contention.
About the author:
Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University, and now writes articles about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.