7 home decorating tips
We know it can sometimes be a bit demanding to find the perfect style for your home, especially when you've just bought your first apartment and found several completely white walls when you arrived.
But don't get overwhelmed; even though you'd like to have all the decor ready in a single day, everything clearly takes time, and you may even need to compare prices at different stores before deciding on the perfect chandelier, the most beautiful painting or the sofa you love most.
Table of contents
Check the proportions
Don't buy what's trendy
Mix furniture types
Shop online
Be a smart shopper
General rule: Have green in your home!
Don't get carried away with textures
Your home doesn't only have to reflect your or your family's personality; it must also be functional and harmonious. At Arquitectura y Concreto, together with José Hoyos, an interior space designer, we've put together some useful tips to apply when decorating your home in the simplest way:
1. Check the proportions of the space you want to decorate
Before going out to buy accessories or furniture, it's important to measure the space you're going to decorate and make an initial plan to get an idea of how it would look with what you want to buy.
Take measurements easily by marking the area where you'll place the items with masking tape; that way you'll get an idea of the space you have.
Example: If you're going to buy a sofa, stick masking tape on the floor and wall to gauge its size and check whether it fits the space.
2. Don't buy what's “trendy”
Look for timeless furniture designs that last over the years so you don't have to replace your furniture in the near future because it's gone out of style. Some can be really expensive, so don't buy yourself extra expenses for the future.
A trick to refresh spaces is to use trendy accessories to complement your timeless furniture; change the cushions, lamps or rugs to give the space a different feel. That way, even if you have the same old furniture, the place will look different.
You can also change the arrangement of the furniture and decor from time to time; this gives your spaces a new look and constantly renews their energy.
3. Mix furniture types
Buy different, versatile types of furniture so that over time you can rearrange them and give your home a fresh feel without having to buy new furniture.
Mix sofas with armchairs or benches so you can play with various elements. You might use color palettes such as those presented by Pantone to make sure each piece of furniture matches the rest of the decor.
Also, if you need more inspiration to define the style of your new home, you can create a Pinterest account and get inspired by the ideas posted on interior design boards, like the one we created for you.
4. Shop online
Online shopping is very positive because it opens your mind to new items, accessories and furniture you probably won't find in your city's market. It's very important to check the measurements, the material it's made of and, above all, the style you'll be giving your home before buying.
A good practice is to check reviews of the seller, the website and the specific product. Also, it never hurts to choose shipping options that include order tracking, so you know where it is and when it will arrive at your home.
5. Be a smart shopper
This tip applies especially to people who love traveling the world, because we know they love buying souvenirs, which at some point end up becoming part of their home furnishings.
However, when you travel, try to think before making a purchase. Even if you see something you really like, think about where you'll put it and whether it fits perfectly with your home's style. That way you avoid creating a collection of objects that don't go together and give your home a “curio shop” look.
6. General rule: have green in your home!
With an indoor plant, a succulent, a shrub or a bonsai, give your spaces fresh, green touches with natural plants.
There are easy-care options on the market such as hydroponic gardens or self-watering vertical gardens. And if you're looking for something simple, plants like ferns adapt easily indoors and give that green touch every space should have.
Just try not to give in to the temptation of artificial plants; although they're pretty and will last almost a lifetime, they don't add energy to your home or help purify the air. Remember that it's important to keep harmony at home, and that includes being in contact with nature, even in a small way.
7. Don't get carried away with textures
While everything has texture, some are more eye-catching than others. We recommend balancing the space by using a maximum of 3 strong textures and keeping the rest flat and simple, so the elements don't compete with each other and the space feels harmonious.
Finally, dare to feel every corner of your home; don't stop at buying and arranging objects. Remember that at home you'll live a thousand adventures and share with your loved ones, so it's ideal to picture yourself in each space and understand what you want to see, feel and convey in each one.