decor 101

So you want to decorate like a pro? Let’s get started with your home or apartment decorating project by learning the basics of interior design. Am thinking here about the Do's & the Don'ts. You want to have a try at DIY try these tips for a home that is picture perfect!

First and foremost let’s gather up some sources:

For some inspiration have a good look at interior design magazines and books, the wonderful www, reality TV shows (Colin & Justin Home Heist is my favorite), designer show houses etc.

Now let's get ready to decorate:

Here are some of the decorating dos.

• Do sketch your floor-plan and write down the room dimensions, window sizes, doors, electrical outlets, etc.
• Do take the time to discover yourself and your personal style by reading magazines, browsing online and in stores to see what styles and colors really appeal to you.
• Do pick a signature piece to focus on your decorating decisions. It could be an area rug, a beautiful fabric, china, a picture etc. The item you choose should support both the color scheme of the room and the mood and style you hope to create.
• Do coordinate the fabric and flooring choices before choosing the paint color and also before buying any big purchase items.
• Do purchase big items first (rugs, soft furnishings, furniture), and use their colors to coordinate all other choices.
• Do consider the uses and function of a room before deciding on the furniture and how you will arrange them. For example, if your guest bedroom will also be your office then you'll need room for a desk, books, lighting, and files as well as the guest bed - preferably a sofa bed which can be converted into a sofa when there are no guests around.
• Do accent well. One blue accent in a room may look like an afterthought whereas blue accents here and there will contribute to the color scheme.
• Do use a mixture of different types of lighting-task, dramatic and general lighting. 
• Do use contrast to add interest to a space. Placing furniture and accessories against a contrasting background will highlight each piece.  
• Do choose accessories that blend with the color and style theme of a room.
• Do use odd numbers of items (3, 5, 7) when grouping accents on tables, shelves or even floors
• Do place items of varying heights (high, medium, and low) to add interest. 
• Do use a variety of textures (smooth, rough, shiny, dull) to add interest to a room. 

And the absolutely NO- NOs

• Don't let some one else make the decisions for you. Decide on items that you love and make you happy-you will be seeing them day in day out.
• Don't choose paint from a paint chip. Buy a small tub of paint and do a paint test run on the wall you intend to paint if you love go ahead if not, go back to the drawing board.
• Don't make you favorite color the main color in the room- if you read the Do's you will by now know that you only use it as an accent here and there to add interest. 
• Don't arrange furniture against the walls- honestly it will look like a waiting area in a doctor’s office. Instead, especially if you have a really large room,make groupings of furniture for conversations.
• Don't invest in trends-they come and go.
• Don't keep things just for the sake of it, if it doesn't fit into your theme get rid of it--thinking charity here please?
• Don't clutter your home with collectibles. A few items go a long way, you will be glad when its time to dust! 
• Don’t forget the tiny details; it's what makes the room your own.