Loading ...Home is more than just a place to store your stuff and get some rest. Your home needs to be a functional space for you and your family to get things done, entertain, relax together, plan, dream, and make memories.
Even if you’re not a decorating genius, you probably don’t want to do all of those activities in a square room with four white walls and some beige carpet. You want your home to be inspired, a reflection of your personality and interests. Whether you’re in a tract home in suburban Dallas or a quaint cottage on the lake in Minnesota, people should walk into your place and have a better feel for who you are and what’s important to you.
Lacking inspiration? Here are a few thoughts to get your creative juices flowing and your home remodel on its way faster than you can say “drywall.”
Start decorating with your favorite thing
Don’t we all want to be surrounded by the things we love? Why not choose one thing you can’t live without – whether a paint color or a quilt or even a texture – and build everything else from there?
When my husband, Matt, and I remodeled our great room a couple of years ago the project felt daunting because the space is truly three rooms in one: kitchen, dining room, and living room.
One day, I came across this chandelier from Pottery Barn, fell in love, and used it as a centerpiece for the space, both literally and figuratively.
Sometimes we just need that one thing to get the ball rolling.
Pick a theme for your home remodel
I’m not suggesting that you decorate your entire family room with Disney Princesses or Spider-Man accessories. But establishing an overall theme for your remodeling plans can focus your efforts, make sure the different elements work together, and help you make decisions along the way.
Maybe you love the ocean – how about soothing blue-greys and white beadboard cabinets for your kitchen? If you’re a bookworm, think cozy, intimate spaces and cram books and bookcases throughout the house. For the world traveler among us, make home an homage to your favorite destination – or use a different locale as inspiration for each room! Your imagination is the limit.
Create a decorating inspiration folder
During our six years of apartment living, I channeled my frustrated inner decorator by gathering an abundance of ideas. Though I couldn’t personalize the space I lived in at the time, I knew that eventually I’d have a home and the opportunity to make it my own. So anytime I felt inspired by a photo, a piece of furniture, a color, etc., I would take a picture of it or cut it out of a magazine and place it in my special inspiration folder.
If you’re not quite ready to jump into your decorating project - because you don’t yet own a home or just aren’t sure what to do – start your own folder. These days your inspiration folder can be virtual or hard copy! Just make sure you have a place to store your ideas so they don’t get forgotten in the meantime. Then, when you’re ready, you’ll have a head start on knowing what you like.
It’s no surprise that people approach home remodels and decorating challenges in so many different ways – we are all so different and inspired by such unique things.
What inspires you? Which completed home remodel projects give you the most pride and how were they inspired?
2 Responses to “What’s your home remodel inspiration?”
We took a dreary basement and turned it into a sunny playroom. Because we craved light, we installed lots of overhead recessed lighting, and lots of decorative wall sconces. The faux bay window, that allowed light from the top at ground level, originally had mirrored surfaces, which we removed. We hand-painted a whimsical farm scene in place of the mirrored panels, reminiscent of The Big Red Barn, and put silk sunflowers at the base of the bay window. The effect was some light from above on our mural, with a window box of sunflowers. Our children loved the space!
Wow, now that is inspiring! Such a creative use of the space and I’m sure your family got so much use from it. Kids spaces are the best – they free us up to use our imaginations in ways we can’t quite get away with in the rest of the house. Great story and lucky kids!