What Order Do You Decorate Your House?

Decorating your house can feel like a “chicken or egg” dilemma – where do you start and how do you get it all done? Don’t let a feeling of overwhelm stop you from designing and decorating your dream home! Whether you’re looking to make your mark on your first house, change it up after several years, or just give your home a fresh look for the season, you don’t have to go it alone. Follow these tips to decorate your whole house and make it the home you’ve been dreaming of!

Where Do I Start?

If you’ve ever decorated a home, you know that early decisions can make a lasting impression and either limit or expand the available choices down the line. So where do you start? 

Kick-off your decorating with a plan. Walk through your house and take notes on what you want for and from each space. There’s no limit to how you can break down your planning, but the simplest solution is usually best. Start your planning by breaking spaced down into inside/outside, public/private, or by function (like cooking/washing/gathering/relaxing). Then decide where you want to start with your decorating or renovations. Usually, it’s best to tie the design of the house around central gathering spaces, like the living room, dining area, or family den. Of course, you can switch it up by tying the design of the house around the master suite and how you choose to enjoy your home’s new look!

Start Big and Work Back to the Details

Decorating a whole home can be a big job – and it’s usually best to start with the big picture. That means focusing first on the fixed parts of your home that might be more expensive or labor-intensive to change. Start off with choices on the big stuff – like:

• Flooring
• Wall Texture and Paint
• Wall Tiles and Countertops
• Cabinets and Built-Ins
• Architectural Details

Depending on how drastically you want the look and feel of your home to change, you might be making choices around one or all of these items. But thinking through any changes to the floor plan or hard, fixed finishes of your home first will make the rest of your planning and decorating much easier! These big choices will also set the tone for the rest of your house – like establishing a general color and texture palette that the rest of your decorations will need to match or compliment. 

Make a Statement with Furniture

Now that you’ve handled the big stuff, it’s time to decide what statement pieces will define your home. Furniture is usually defined by function, and big-ticket furniture items tend to dominate the room. If you’re decorating or re-decorating your home in phases, play it smart: choose the big, statement piece first and bring in furnishings that compliment it as you go.

Finish Off Your Home Decoration with the Small Stuff

With your furniture in place and a whole new look to your home, adding character with small details will put the finishing touches on. Choose your longer-lasting items first – like art, side tables, and larger decoration items. Then, pick out throw pillows, blankets, and other items that you might change out with the seasons to keep giving your home a fresh new look! Don’t sweat the small stuff – you’ll likely end up adding and subtracting these items throughout the year. And next time you get the urge to redecorate (with all that big stuff out of the way), the fine details can provide the perfect opportunity to scratch that itch!

Custom Design and Professional Advice from Kaufman by Design West

If decorating your home or re-imagining your space is overwhelming or you just don’t know where to start, you can always get help from the pros! Check out some of the breathtaking projects we’ve brought to life or visit our showroom for inspiration. Of course, you can always contact us to get started designing your dream home!