Interior Decorating Tips

Interior decorating doesn’t have to be difficult even if you don’t have an eye for design. Essentially, as a non-designer, you’re probably looking to use interior decorating to make your space look and feel comfortable and coordinated-not to make a huge design statement or create an innovative interior masterpiece. Even so, it’s often difficult knowing just where to begin with you design plans. Inspiration isn’t always easy to come by. Follow these tips and the process of decorating your apartment will pose less difficulty.

Find What You Like First

Before you even begin decorating, take some time to figure out where your tastes lie. This could be as easy as looking to what you already own. If you have lots of blue pillows, for instance, or own several black and white framed photographs you’re especially fond of, these will be good starting points in your decorating. Of course, this only works if you actually like the things you already own. If you’re only keeping them for functionality or as a holdover until you can afford or find something you like more, don’t use your possessions as guidance.

You can also sit down and look through magazines and catalogs. Find things you’re drawn to and rip the pages out. Search for anything and everything you like and use the images to narrow your ideas and give you inspiration before you go shopping.

Fool-Proof Ideas for Non-Designers

So now that you know what kind of items and concepts you like, it’s time to begin decorating your room. However, it still can be difficult to know where to begin.

The first thing you can do is use color in some way. Whether it’s through wall color, accessories or furniture, adding color to a room gives it extra pizazz. While you can certainly stick to just one color, using two or more is even better. Pillows, rugs, frames, candle holders and glassware are all excellent and fool-proof ways to add color to your room.

The second thing you can do is hang pictures or shelves on the wall. You know how a room seems to transform as soon as you put something on the walls? This is reason alone to not leave them bare. Floating shelves are the perfect way to add dimension to the room. Hang several clustered together on a wall and set accessories in them. You can also find inexpensive print artwork to frame and hang. Mirrors also make a difference. Cluster several small ones on a wall for a simple, but neat, effect.

Let the Stores Do the Work for You

When all else fails, many stores sell pre-coordinated room schemes that you can use as your guide. If you really don’t know where to begin (or don’t care to come up with a decorating scheme), roam up and down the aisles of popular department stores. Chances are you’ll find wall hangings, accessories and furniture all designed to coordinate with one another. No guesswork required!

If you’re really stuck in your design project, enlist a design-savvy friend to help. Chances are he or she will jump at the chance to be a part of your creative project.

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Rachael Weiner: I’m a communications professional for a non-profit, which financially necessitates my status as an apartment dweller. Constantly “on-the-go,” I’ve resided in five different apartments across the United States over the past five years. Roommate issues, budgeting, organizing and handling problem neighbors are my specialty.