9 EXPERT TIPS FOR DECORATING YOUR FIRST HOME

Picking your first home, whether as a single individual or as a couple, is one of the most important choices of your life. (No pressure here.) You’ve saved long and hard, spent countless lunch breaks scouring the Internet for new home listings, and finally found the perfect location (or at least one you can tolerate). So, why shouldn’t you go the extra mile to make it look and feel special?

Have no fear; expert tips are here. The good people at the hub of furnishing and decoration, Homify, have excellent expert tips to help you turn your house into a home without losing your mind completely.

START NEUTRAL

A good place to start is a good, neutral palate to get you off the ground. “Choosing whites and blacks, timber tones and everything in between we think is a wise initial decision. Neutral tones will always work, and can always be easily dressed up with a dash of colour in elements such as floor rugs or cushions in the future,” say the furnishing experts.

MAKE LISTS – LOTS OF THEM

There should be no shame in your game when it comes to careful planning and budgeting for your first house. “You cannot simply dive in and ‘wing it’. Write down all the items you currently own, write down all the items you need, and write a wish list of things you would love to own in the future.”

INVEST IN QUALITY BEDDING

Considering the fact that you will spend a third of your life in bed, it’s very wise to own some quality bedding you can comfortably sink into. But don’t scrimp on a good bed, either, say the experts, as it’s essential for a comfy life.

HAVE A BUDGET

Oh, the temptation to splurge on lush furniture and pricey decorations, but avoid getting into debt (you just paid for a house) by blowing the budget. And if you don’t have a budget, this is a good time to make one. “When you go shopping for new furniture and decorations, it’s easy to become overexcited and spend money you don’t have. Don’t let a showroom or a salesperson let you go over your budget, and shop around for deals and value for money. And, if you have some money to spare after sticking to your budget, you can happily buy something from your wishlist without the guilt.”

KNOW YOUR ROOM DIMENSIONS

While this might seem a little obvious, you would be surprised at how easy it is to buy a couch that can’t fit through your front door or into your living room space. Ensure you have all the dimensions of your rooms and the doors so you can comfortably get all the furniture in.

AVOID BUYING EVERYTHING AT ONCE

One of the biggest secrets to know when moving into your first home? You don’t need a fully furnished 5-star flat in the blink of an eye. “Of course, if you are going to get a discount for buying lots furnishings for one room in bulk, for example, then go crazy. But as a general rule, it is better to shop around to see what is available, and to live in your home for a period of time before deciding what you actually need, and what will work best etc.”

PAINT, PAINT, PAINT

It’s the easiest, least expensive, most impactful way to bring life to any living space. Choose colours that reflect your personality and suit the mood of the room you’re decorating.

TAKE IT ONE ROOM AT A TIME

Baby steps… Tiny droplets… All the sayings are true when it comes to taking on a big project. It’s okay not to have the home of your dreams in one month (read and repeat aloud). “Spread it out over time, and break it down into smaller, more manageable parts. The overwhelming cost or fear of getting it ‘right’ will be suppressed if you take your time, and do it one room at a time.”

DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX AND MATCH

Unsure of exactly how to decorate your new place? The experts suggest you opt for a mixed-and-matched theme, changing it up often with smaller decorative elements until you find what works best for you in your new home.