Beautifying Your Home By Brook Noel "Learn how to be happy with
what you have while you pursue all that you want." --Jim Rohn
As a frequent traveler, I'm often amazed at how dramatically my
mood changes depending on where I am staying. I have stayed in
some very nice hotels that were so warm and welcoming that I
loved being in my room. Other rooms were so dark and uninviting
I found my mood spiraling downward. Our environment and
surroundings play a huge part in how we feel on a day-to-day
basis. Think about it. When your home is messy, chaotic,
cluttered, and filled with piles, how do you feel? My guess
would be "stressed" is among the adjectives that top your
list. Likewise, when our homes are clean and straightened we
feel more at peace.
So why not create a dream home for yourself? You don't need a
million dollar budget and a designer's help. Instead, approach
your home with the same mentality we bring to this challenge --
one day, one step, and one project-- at a time.
The task of beautifying your home will be an ongoing process. I
recommend getting a separate binder for this project. I have a
binder with dividers for each room of the house that I wanted to
"beautify." Then when I found pictures, ideas, or had
inspirations, I would store the information behind the
applicable room tab.
The process of going through your home is much like when we
created the MASTER TASK LIST. Choose a room in which to start.
Sit down for a good twenty minutes, really taking in all the
items, furniture, textures, and colors of the room. Then imagine
how you would like the room to be. Don't be shy, write down
anything that comes to mind no matter how crazy it seems. There
may be things on your list that aren't practical right now and
that's okay. These notes will give you a clue into the traits
and mood you want to create in the room and you may be able to
find a less expensive alternative. (For example, in one room I
would have loved new hardwood floors. Instead, I found that
sanding the current wood floors and covering them with
inexpensive rugs purchased at a wholesale outlet, created the
nice warm feeling I was looking to have.)
Here are some specific things to think about in each room:
COLOR: Do the walls represent the room? If your house has all
white walls, consider toying with color. Painting a room is the
quickest way to give it a fresh look. Stenciling is another
option for those who don't want to brave a full paint makeover.
If you want to keep your white walls, are there prints or
paintings that could be added to give the room a new tone? What
types of prints and paintings would you enjoy -- abstract,
contemporary, wildlife? What colors should the paintings
emphasize to help coordinate the overall color of the room?
FURNITURE: Are there pieces of furniture that need to be
refinished, repaired, or replaced? Are there any pieces you
would like to add?
WINDOWS: Do you like your current window coverings? If not, what
would you prefer? Would you like to go with a valance? Blinds?
No coverings?
DECORATIONS: What elements could be added to change the tone of
the room? How about a small water fountain in a room where you
like to relax? Fountains can be found very inexpensively at
stores like Target or Wal-Mart. Would an arrangement of candles
or dried flowers add to the room? Could you remove items to
simplify the space? Could you swap items with items from another
area of the house for a fresh feel?
FOLIAGE: What about plants? Plants quickly provide a new feel
within a room. If you have a bad history with plants, don't
despair. Visit your local garden center and explain you want a
very durable plant for someone without a "green thumb." These
garden experts can help you pick the plant that is best for you.
FLOOR COVERING: How do you want your floors to look? Would you
like rugs, floor coverings, hardwood, or to lay new tile?
Idea-Gathering Gathering ideas can be a very fun step. Begin by
paging through magazines and finding attractive rooms. For
example, if you are working on your living room, begin by
finding living rooms that have a theme or feel you would like to
emulate in your own home. Don't worry if you can't find
something that is exactly like what you want; you can clip
furniture from one picture and paintings from another. Here are
a few more sources for idea-gathering:
1. If you have a friend who has a "knack" for displays and
interior design, consider seeking her help and recommendations.
2. Visit furniture stores, antique shops, and department stores
to gather ideas for displays and decoration. Check your local
library and bookstore for additional books and ideas.
3. The Internet also has a ton of great resources for
decorating. Try doing a search at
http://www.google.com for
decorating. The Better Homes and Gardens website has a lot of
great resources as well -- you can find it at
www.bhg.com. 4. Visit your local improvement store. Look at their idea books
and magazines. Find paint samples and color palettes that are
appealing to you.
5. Let the process of gathering ideas take as long as you
desire. Remember this is a work in progress. Once you have some
ideas, pick one to start. I encourage you to work through one
room at a time, completing it in its entirety before moving to
the next room. This way you will be able to enjoy one room while
working on the others and not cause a lot of clutter or
disruption in the home.
Remember that decorating and performing a facelift to a room
needn't be costly or time consuming. Adding a new print to a
wall, colorful pillows to a couch, or a few plants can breathe
new life into a tired room.
Your Assignment:
Begin gathering ideas. Try to choose at least one idea that can
be implemented today to beautify your home.
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