It’s that time and you have to start making some real changes. Get the ball rolling, start the motions, drop the plastic-ware and move forward. This simple beginners guide will show you some great possibilities, missed opportunities and what you need to do next with your home interior and decor.
Don’t worry if your even less than a beginner. As you will see, it’s actually not that hard to go from “ok” to “fantastic”. It doesn’t matter if you live in a small home, large home, apartment, studio, own or just rent. Your upgrade possibilities are limitless and affordable.
Let’s start with a few inspirational tips from the Pros. Again the whole point is to make a lot happen in your home while at the same time not going crazy with finances.
Stick to What Matters & Avoid the Non-Essentials
“I always tell people who are decorating their first apartments that it is important to spend money on the bigger-ticket items, like sofas, beds and dining tables,” according to interior designer Sheila Bridges. “You can always accessorize with inexpensive things like toss pillows, bedding and lighting to pull everything together.”
If you’re looking to invest in a nice dinning or coffee table don’t forget your options for a glass tabletop. Tables are nice however the scratches and stains come along eventually. You’ll be glad you made the choice when you did to cover your table with a glass top.
Beds and sofas can get a little pricey however thanks to Amazon, IKEA and others, it’s really not that hard to shop and compare “new” beds and sofas. These are two items we recommend not purchasing “used” for health reasons. Always remember to replace your mattress every 5 years. Sofas can be steam cleaned or shampooed however it’s very affordable and easy to find something you like new and it’s fun investigate. You will love the experience.
Stick With What You Can Move Home-to-Home
“It is likely that you will move in the next few years,” according to interior designer Sheila Bridges. It’s not very easy to move a new fireplace, patio steps or fancy doorbells. Upgrades like a new mattress, tables even decorative mirrors along with others are easy to transport in the case of relocating.
Framed and fashionable art for the living room, bedroom and kitchen are great additions and can be found at very affordable prices online or at local outlets. Megan Opel, an interior designer at Laurel & Wolf, states that art “will make a huge impact on your space and can be brought with you from apartment to apartment,” “I advise splurging on original paintings from your favorite artists, because nothing will make a space feel more like you than personally curated art.” Kimberly Winthrop, a senior designer at Laurel & Wolf mentioned “Custom framing can take any hand-me-down or thrift-store find from trash to treasure.”
Lighting Fixture Upgrades
There does come a time when you must consider changing out your lighting fixtures. This type of home décor upgrade does not need to occur all of the time. All you have to do is once every couple of years, see what trends are on the rise and evaluate your options based on affordability. According to interior designer Kimberly Winthrop, “our taste in home décor can sometimes change as often as our taste or trends in fashion.”
Vintage Style Upgrades
Megan Opel from Laurel & Wolf mentions, “the payoff is big when you find quality items at a steal.” Items ranging from coffee tables to chairs can be found at affordable prices on Craigslist, eBay, Amazon and more. The founder of Apartment Therapy, Maxwell Ryan, talks about the importance of vintage by stating, “always have at least 25 percent used, vintage or hand-me-down furniture.” By creating that cozy, warm, welcoming and personal atmosphere in your home, you create a lasting experience.
Kitchen Improvements
There are many areas in the kitchen you can fix and improve at low cost. First and foremost, no one likes a dirty kitchen. Keep it clean and orderly. Get rid of those old pans and appliances you know you never use. Donate them to charity, after you clean them of course or sell them online or trade them in to a local thrift store.
Next are your kitchen cabinets. Adding cabinet glass can by a bit expensive however cabinet glass truly does transform the look and feel of your kitchen.
Adding a few indoor plants here and there makes a wonderful addition as well when trying to get that cozy down-home feel.
According to Apartment Therapy’s, Maxwell Ryan, “I also like to save corks and put them in a bowl,” and “I’m a big fan of stemless wine glasses.”
Self Restraint
“In the excitement of moving into their first apartment, people are all too often in a rush to do everything all at once and fill the space immediately with one exhilarating shopping trip,” according to Terence Conran, British design expert, retailer and restaurateur. “I have always thought it much better to live with your home first and understand the space before gradually furnishing it and adding color.”
More so, he continued: “Obviously you need the basics in place to live there, but by buying one or two pieces at a time, I think you have a better chance of creating a first apartment that works well and reflects your personality, which can only make you happier.”
Take your time and look at your budget, options and objectives. Before you know it, you’ll have the home décor look and feel you’ve always wanted. It wont be perfect, however a few changes little by little and over time makes a huge difference.
Alamo Glass and Mirror is a full service residential and commercial glass company. We have an extensive inventory of glass and glass related products.
© Alamo Glass & Mirror Company
Residential & Commercial Glass Products & Services in Dallas, TX
Award Winning Service Since 1943. Call for a Free Quote Today – (214) 821-2886