Our Decorating Dilemmas column. We can’t count how many times we’ve been asked this question: “I just moved in to my new home and don’t know where to begin!” This is because decorating a room from scratch is daunting. There are so many options, and you don’t know where to begin. These are some tips to help you get started decorating your home.
Find the piece of art you love
We face the same problem when designing the rooms in our catalog. There are endless possibilities on a blank canvas. We will often use artwork as a starting point. This Exclusive Artist, Rick Reinert’s piece, shows many shades of blue and some persimmon oranges. These colors were important to us, so we used them in our upholstery, pillows, and bright blue rug.
Begin with a rug.
Our Catherine Rug has been a favorite of ours for its subtle beauty and beautiful shades of light blue. We used complementary fabrics and artwork to bring out the icy blues in this living room. The perfect pairing is our new Cleo Glacier fabric and Minsk Glacier fabric.
Get a Fabulous Fabric
Large-scale florals with black backgrounds are in fashion for 2017. We used our Beatrice Black Fabric to guide us. We chose mostly black and light white pieces for this fabric. However, if you pay close enough attention, you can see purple shades. With our Shiloh Chair, pillows, and other accessories, we brought out the lavender tones in this fabric.
Inspiration from Other Sources
A great way to give direction to your space is an inspiration tear. Starting from scratch, you can use an inspiration tear to guide you. We loved how designer Jonathan Savage used one of our Isabella daybeds to create a small guest room for the 2016 Southern Style Now Showhouse.
Select a color
The color of your space can make a big difference in how it feels. Each color has its personality, so make sure you use it in your space. Suzanne Kasler demonstrates this strategy in the space below. The room is neutral in color, but Kasler strategically adds accents to the space with her mandarin Orange linen to create a feeling of warmth and coziness.
Place a Layout
You may have a small or unusually shaped space. Decide on a layout that suits your needs. You will be able to narrow down your choices and get started. For example, in this living room, we knew we needed two settees facing each other. The small space meant that the room would feel light and bright. We then chose neutral pieces with contrast and texture but no color.
Start with a statement piece.
A single piece of art can be enough to inspire a whole room. Our Kent Dome Pendant was the focal point of this living room. We continued to echo the black exterior and gold interior with the rest. The black-and-white geometric print was placed on the sofa to complement the modern black silhouette.
Neutral Need Not Be Boring
Although neutral rooms are often criticized, you can use them to inspire. You can choose one neutral color: gray, white, or beige. Then, bring in neutral pieces in different textures. If they are in the same shade, linens, leathers and velvets, metallic pieces, and wallpaper can all be used together. This is how designer Mark D. Sikes did it in his living room at the 2016 Southern Living Idea House. We’ll take it if it’s good enough to be used in Southern Living.
Use what you have.
You might consider using a piece you have already collected as a starting point. It could be a family heirloom, an art piece for children, or a collection of blue and white porcelain. You can reimagine something you love and make it stand out in your space.
Collect as You Go
Some people believe that not having a plan is better than no plan! You can let the inspiration flow if you don’t have a plan. You might find inspiration in an antique shop or a catalog. You can add new pieces as you discover them and let your room grow over time.