Starting out decorating a room is a little overwhelming for most guys.  So, here is 5 simple tricks that I learned in decorating my own rooms.  I hope that they help.

1.  Start with something you really like - Pick a piece you really like to start your room.  I usually start with the biggest furniture item, e.g.:  a couch for the living room or a bed for the bedroom.  But, honestly it could be anything - a lamp, a piece of art, or even a cool vase.  While I am usually really fiscally responsible when it comes to home decor, for this item I am willing to spend a little more.  Because if you splurge on something you really like for a room, you usually will appreciate the room longer.  In the long run, you can save money with accessories, see #4.

2.  For large items, go neutral - Sometimes it is tempting to buy furniture in a trendy color, but one thing that I have learned is that tastes change.  One day, you are in love with that big red sofa, the next day it disgusts you every time you look at it.  So, for big pieces of furniture, go neutral.  You will be able to live with the design decision a lot longer.

3.  Don’t buy everything at one store - When you start off decorating, it is tempting to buy things in sets.  I have found that while this looks good in catalogs, it often translates to a stale, uninteresting room in real life.  So, when you are shopping for furniture or accessories, don’t be afraid to mix and match.  If you stay within the same wood tones - light with light, dark with dark - the room should still keep the continuity you are looking for, while still provide a little uniqueness.

4.  You can find cool accessories, cheap - So, say you followed step 1 and splurged a little on an expensive sofa, you can still hit your budget by finding unique accessories at a cheap price.  When I am looking for accessories, I shop around.  Usually, you can find some unique accessories at cb2, West Elm, and Crate and Barrel.  Be sure to look at the “sale” items and sign up for the newsletter.  Then, you will be the first to here of when they are having an  online sale.  I also hit up the local Target store.  If you are not yet ready to go into the home decor section, you can shop online, as well.  Also, subscribe to this blog.  I often showcase online art and accessory retailers that offer prints and accessories cheap.

5.  Don’t overdo it - This is probably the most important tip.  I like to take a minimalist point of view when it comes to home decor.  Start with a few nice items, and slowly fill the room.  I avoid clutter at all costs.  One, because it is difficult to clean, and two, because clutter can ruin the look of the room.  If you are not sure where to stop, start with the rule of three.  Do not group items in more than threes.  Don’t be afraid to remove items from a room.  Often with home decor, less is more.

This article is meant to be a primer for home decor.  I plan on doing several follow-up articles, so if you are interested, check back or subscribe to this website.  If you have a tip or trick, comment below or send it to me via email at guydecor@guydecor.com.

This entry was posted Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 at 6:33 pm and is filed under misc. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.