16 Decorating Tips to Help You Expertly Pull a Look Together

Before starting any decorating project, consider your own preferences. Think about what patterns, colors, and styles grab your attention. For example, determine whether you tend to gravitate towards bright, bold colors or subtle neutral tones. You might not be able to pinpoint exactly why you like something, but hang on to the idea if it catches your eye.

You can find decorating inspiration nearly anywhere, but honing in on a few key areas can help make gathering ideas easier. Look to your wardrobe, tear out pages of magazines, save images you find online, and take pictures of the scenery around you. You can also collect paint chips, fabric swatches, and other samples that stand out to you. Lay it all out and start identifying common themes and characteristics in the items you've gathered.

If you're redecorating a room that already has a few foundational elements in place, such as major furniture pieces or stand-out architectural features, plan your decorating scheme around these existing components. Seek out new decor that will mix well while also adding a fresh perspective. Incorporating older features into your design plan, rather than ignoring them, will help you create a more cohesive result.

When planning a larger decorating makeover, ask yourself where you're willing to invest some money. If your sofa needs upgrading, for example, shop around for a new one and then decorate the room around the piece. A major element such as a sofa, dining room table, or area rug often sets the tone for your room's style and can be the reference point for other decorating decisions.

Take stock of all the possible elements a room will need, including furniture, rugs, lighting, accessories, wall decor, window treatments, and paint. Identify the styles, colors, or materials you prefer for each element and what will work in your room. It's also a good idea to take measurements and make a rough sketch of the room to help you plan the space and decide what will fit when you're out shopping.

Before you begin designing a room, familiarize yourself with some of the basics of decorating, such as color theory, scale, texture, pattern mixing, and furniture arranging. For extra help, professional interior designers can be valuable resources that bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to your decorating project. But if hiring a pro is outside the scope of your budget, consider working with a designer on a consultation basis, which will give you some guidance for a smaller price. Some home furnishings companies even offer free design consultations to help you get started.

Identifying a color scheme will help guide the rest of your decorating decisions, including choosing furniture, accessories, and paint colors. Go into a decorating project with a few key colors in mind, but allow for some flexibility if needed. For example, you might find a blue rug with green accents that you love, but you had planned to use yellow as your accent hue. Because the rug will likely be a major component of the room, you might consider altering your original color palette idea.

Having an initial idea of what style you want to decorate with will make the project easier and help your final look flow better. But keep in mind that you don't have to stick with just one. Mixing and matching styles can create a more interesting, layered look. Whether you prefer modern glam, rustic farmhouse, or another combination, knowing what styles you're going for will help you identify items to buy.

Think about how you'll use the room as you make decorating decisions. In a dining room, for example, consider whether you'll use the space mostly for entertaining or casual, everyday meals. You should also determine what items you'll need to store in the room so you can incorporate storage into your decorating plans.

Take stock of what you already have and decide what to keep and what to replace. Consider bringing in pieces from other areas of your home, such as an accent chair from your bedroom that would work better in the living room. Redecorate in a way that brings the relocated piece into the fold of its new home.

Repurposing or refreshing items you already own can help minimize the budget for your decorating project. Slipcover an old sofa, reupholster a tattered chair, or paint a piece of furniture to give an old item a whole new look. Then layer in less expensive updates, such as throw pillows or lamps, for an all-around update.

While you're out and about, make a note of things you see in stores that you like (or bookmark pages when browsing online). That way, you'll know where to go when you're ready to make purchases. It's also a good idea to snap a few photos of your space beforehand for reference while shopping.

If you're looking for something new, don't be afraid to experiment with new decorating trends. Try a bold paint color you saw in a magazine, or track down a trendy light fixture you keep seeing on Instagram. A simple, relatively inexpensive update is often the best way to try out current trends because you can easily switch it up again if you decide it isn't for you.

Decorating often happens slowly as you gather new items over time. With each purchase, think about how the item will fit into the overall look of the room. Keep track of receipts and tags so you can easily make returns and exchanges if needed.

Don't be afraid to change things up and move or remove items as you decorate. Play around with different furniture arrangements and accessory placements until you find a look you like. If you're not sure whether a certain arrangement works, live with it for a few days before rearranging again if needed.

Take your time to get your decor exactly how you want it. Letting your look change and evolve over time will create a room that has personality and depth, rather than a space that looks like it was thrown together in a weekend. As you travel or visit new stores, you'll continue to find new pieces and decorating ideas to implement. Over time, you'll become even more in tune with what you like and how to create a room you love.