Building a New House? Remodeling? Overwhelmed with the Choices?
Here is a home decorating checklist you might find helpful:
1. Determine Your Style
Look through magazines or Pinterest to understand if you like modern, traditional, etc. (See Diagnose Your Design Style)
2. Choose Kitchen & Bathroom Counters
I recommend marble or quartz for the counters. Pass on the granite unless it is a black honed or leathered granite. Busy earthy granites have had their time in the limelight.
3. Pick Kitchen Backsplash and Bathroom Wall Tile
I suggest a simple classic white tile like subway tile or a square tile. You can add interest by adding a gray or black grout or laying it in a herringbone pattern. Do not add accent tile. You will regret it in 10 years when you no longer like the colors in the accent tile. White tile will always look good with the white tub, white toilet and white sink in a bathroom.
4. Choose Flooring
- Wood – If it is in your budget choose wood that has medium brown tone with no red or orange undertones. Wood laminates have come a long way and can save you some money if the budget is tight. If you have an open floor plan, please put wood throughout the downstairs – even in the kitchen. It will create continuity and make the space feel larger if it is all the same flooring.
- Tile – Use simple and classic tile in the bathroom and laundry room
- Carpet – only in the bedrooms. And keep it simple and neutral.
5. Choose Rugs for Living and Dining Room
Rugs have a huge price range. I think it is easier to start with finding a rug that you like and that fits your budget because it will determine your color palette. You should be able to find fabric options for sofas and chairs that work with your rug.
6. Choose Throw Pillows
Yes, even before the sofa. (Unless you have an existing sofa that is moving with you.) This is where you can have some fun. The throw pillows should coordinate with the rug but they should have lots of color and pattern. There is not a big commitment here – you can change out pillows easily and inexpensively. There should be four to five for every sofa. And they don’t have to match. Add lumbar pillows to the chairs.
7. Choose Sofa & Chairs
I always choose a sofa with three seat cushions. Who wants to sit in the crack? The recent trend is to choose a sofa in a light fabric, but only go that route if it is a slipcover that you can remove and wash or if it is a high performance fabric like Sunbrella or Crypton.
8. Choose Paint
What are the undertones in your countertop, tile, rug, and sofa? Do you see more blue/gray? Green/gray? Beige? Confused? Download my neutral paint color guide. Or schedule a Paint Color Consultation.
I hope you found this home decorating checklist helpful! Have questions? Schedule a free 15 minute consultation with me today.