Congratulations! We hope you enjoy our best advice on how to furnish your new home! This is an exciting time, and you are sure to have hundreds of ideas running through your head wanting to make it the very best home that it can be.
In anticipation of settling in, you may be wondering what to do first and what takes priority. You are probably also wondering about new furniture purchases, what paint colors to use, and which drapery fabrics to adorn your windows.
If these questions sound familiar, there is no need to worry. Let’s walk through the important things to consider before getting started on your dream home’s design.
Define Your Aesthetic
You bought your home for a number of reasons. One of those may be that you love the home’s style. Whether it is Victorian, modern, cottage, traditional, or any other style, you should decide if you want to amplify the existing style of your new space, shift the aesthetic slightly, or completely start from scratch.
If you love the vintage touches of your older home, then you may want to lean even further into it by incorporating classic pieces and charming, more old-fashioned furniture. Consider lush draperies in a damask pattern and lots of trim to really bring in the old-world feel. Or if you bought a sleek, modern home that you just adore, stay with the contemporary style which includes neutral colors, abstract art, and furniture that focuses on straight lines or funky shapes.
Often, homes are purchased based on the existing style. It’s okay to make changes to the interior, but usually, it makes the most sense to use the home’s style to guide your design decisions. Consider the architecture and niche aspects of your rooms as inspiration for decor and furniture. With that in mind, add pieces to the space that work with the existing design rather than distract from it.
Ultimately, defining your style is important. Whether you switch up everything from head to toe or opt to use the space as a foundation for your decorating, it’s vital that you determine this before jumping in.
Decide Which Pieces to Use Again
You may have a very well-coordinated collection of furnishings that you wish to use in your new home, or, you may have an eclectic mix of hand-me-downs that you desperately want to part with. The first step in determining what should stay, and what should go, is determining which items work in terms of style and scale. Furnishing a new home doesn’t necessarily mean that you must get brand-new furniture. But you’ll want the furniture and decor to work with the design you’ve set your sights on, and be proportionate to the size of the rooms they are in.
Often the beautiful heirlooms and sentimental pieces that are important to you can easily be incorporated into the design plan, and there’s a way to make them shine without sacrificing style in the process. The contrast between old and new can be a creative and beautiful thing. It can be a strategic way to make a room look interesting and dimensional.
Let’s say you have a beautiful collection of decorative plates, but you do not have space for a display cabinet or China hutch. Consider hanging the plates on the wall in your dining room to create a sort of gallery wall, mixing the modern setup with a traditional touch.
Here are some additional tips for including heirlooms in your new home’s design:
Display with frames
If you have some special things like old concert tickets, postcards, or letters, elevate their presentation by putting them in frames and hanging them on the walls or displaying them on a side table.
Mix and match
Often, using strictly older pieces will make the total design look more vintage than you may desire. A great way around this is to mix sentimental pieces with more contemporary decor.
Scatter decor
If you have a large collection of existing furniture, it’s best to spread the pieces out in consideration of color and size. Blend in newer decor to keep a consistent look and feel throughout your home.
You certainly do not have to put your heirlooms in storage. Mix and match the old and the new by incorporating special pieces throughout your house.
Need help unlocking your home’s perfect layout and design?
After going through the home-buying process, you may be ready to take a break. Room Reimagined Design offers full-service design options allowing you to sit back and relax until the day of your Big Reveal!
Contact Room Reimagined Design
Contact Gina at Room Reimagined Design today to schedule a consultation, and take a look at your heirlooms, existing furniture, and home design. She specializes in creating fabulous decor plans specific to homes just like yours. Reach out today!
