Life Style Decorating Part 1 - How to Begin

It doesn't matter whether you're decorating project is one room or the entire house; whether you are starting with zero furnishings or a room full, planning is necessary.

Your plans must be written down some place. You may prefer to set up a file in your computer. There is noting wrong with using a notebook, or even a file folder stored in a file cabinet. Whatever method you decide upon, make sure it is comfortable and conveinet to use.

Why should you plan? Planning is directly linked to success. A plan keeps you focused on your budgets. There are three areas you must budget when considering a decorating project: finances, time, and energy.

Knowing how much you plan to spend on your project will keep it from escalating beyond a price that will cause much stress in your life. Knowing when you want the project completed by, will help you to schedule appointments with in-home sales people, technicians, deliveries, and installers.

Many do not consider their energies. If there is some part of the decorating plan which calls for physical labor, such as installing flooring, unless you have done it before it is best to let a professional carpet laying or tile mason handle the job. Doing so is usually cheaper and faster in the long run.

Your next step is to make an analysis of your project area. Who will be using the room? Is it used by the entire family. Or is it an area only for the children, or only for the adults of the home? Will the family dog or cat be allowed in the room? Will your pets be permitted upon the furniture?
These are important considerations which will help you determine what type of furnishings would work best in the room, based on who will be using it.

What are the ages and activity level of those who will use the area? A family with grade school children will have different considerations and needs pertaining to the function of the room, than a middle-aged couple whose grown children are living in far away locales.

Each member of the family who is old enough to know what they like and dislike, should be allowed to express their preferences regarding the furnishings of the room.