3 Secrets to Furnishing a New Home

Furnishing a new home yourself can be a daunting prospect but it’s not impossible. With a few trade secrets and a good grasp of your own personal style, you can have your house looking like home in no time.

Here are 3 secrets to furnishing a house to get you started.

1. Assess What You Already Have

It can be tempting to kick all your old furniture to the curb and start over from scratch, but don’t be hasty! Taking stock of your existing inventory can not only save you money, it can give your decorating much-needed direction.

You’ll be able to get a feel for your own taste based on your existing favourites. You’ll also get an idea of how you use your existing furniture. If your hallway occasional chair gets a lot of use when taking shoes on and off at the door, then you’ll know the new house must have something functionally similar.

To properly evaluate your existing furnishings, you’ll want to bust out your notepad. Make a list of everything and sort them into categories: Discard/Donate, Keep, and Unsure. When assessing each item make sure you take into account its usefulness, condition, and whether it fits your personal style or not.

Once you have your Keep and Unsure categories settled, start reassessing each item in terms of your new home. Imagine where everything will be placed and keep an open mind when it comes to different arrangements. If something isn’t finding its place, then it’s best to let it go.

2. Start With The Bedroom

The average person spends one-third of their life in the bedroom. Because you spend so much of your time here, it’s essential you get it feeling homey right off the bat.

If you can’t afford to redecorate entirely, start with the bedding. High thread-count sheets can make any bed feel brand new.

When decorating the bedroom, also consider your sleeping habits. Earlybirds will benefit from a lighter colour palette. Night owls and those who like a leisurely sleep in are likely to be more at home with warmer, darker tones.

3. Don’t Buy Everything in One Go

This is a money-saver but you’ll also get more satisfying results if you decorate in stages. This is because how you assume you’re going to use your new home and how you actually live there are often two different things.

Give yourself about two months to settle into your new home before you make any major purchases. You might find the money you planned to sink into a kitchen renovation is better spent on the bathroom.

You’ll also have a better idea of how your current furniture fits into the new space. Don’t be afraid to shift things around in those first two months either. You’ll get a more satisfying look and feel if you trial run different pieces in different positions.

Furnishing a New Home Needn’t Stress You Out

Getting a Pinterest-worthy home isn’t just for the professionals. With a little ingenuity, a lot of patience, and a good eye, your home will be a point of pride in no time.

Furnishing a new home this Spring? Check out these new season arrivals and start your DIY decorating off on the right foot.