Do you ever struggle with how to decorate, no matter what your style is? Do you need some fresh inspiration? I’ve written quite a few posts over the years on some general principles I use to decorate and what I use for inspiration.
After our discussion yesterday on everyone deserving a lovely home, I wanted to give you some thrifty and practical tips any of us can use to put our house together one idea at a time!
I thought I’d round up some inspiration and put them together as a convenient reference! Some posts are newer, some are older, but hopefully you’ll find something that inspires you! These are affordable, doable and practical principles for creating a home you’ll love.
I rethink how we use our rooms.
I think of creative things to hang on walls.
I create an inspiration board.
I consider the pros and cons of my choices (white slipcovers!)
I lean & layer artwork and mirrors.
I update rooms and furniture with paint.
I add interest to walls with paint.
I customize beautiful fabric on sale for curtains.
I reuse and refresh what I already have!
If I’m feeling like I am losing my style direction, I create a Progress Report!
I makeover rooms on a budget and with a little creativity
I display things that make me happy.
I decorate with things I love.
I’m always tweaking things, my house is never done.
I love adding personality through charming architecture.
I re-arrange furniture to make our home work better for us.
I like to use natural materials to make my home feel warm.
I love to incorporate the seasons.
I like neutrals and pops of color.
I reuse and recycle classic decor items and fabric.
I repurpose things I already have to solve problems!
I creatively conceal things I don’t like!
I like to establish a purpose and focal point.
I determine when something is GOOD ENOUGH.
I stalk my favorite stores like Anthropologie for inspiration.
I find ideas for styling my tables and shelves in the Pottery Barn catalog.
I decorate with useful and practical things.
Enjoy!
A new How To Decorate series of posts (organized into an easy to follow new category) is being introduced to The Inspired Room in 2012! Come see what the plans are!
Want to vote for The Inspired Room in the Best Design Blog category at the Apartment Therapy 2012 Homies awards? You can find out more here! Thanks so much for your encouragement.
{I’m sharing this post with Tip Junkie}
Melissa, you should put all of these in a book! I’m bookmarking this page – thank you for compiling all your great ideas!
Lisa recently posted..Guest Posting at Savory & Sweet
Twitter: FairfieldHouse
says:
Ditto!
FairfieldHouse recently posted..Planned Kindness
Lisa, what a sweet compliment. Thank you!!
This is a great post, thank you for all these tips!!!
Claudia recently posted..Lets make a deal
melissa, I would love to put a link to this on my FB Willow House Simply Great Designs by Suzanne Joffrion page……as a great resource. Would that be ok with you? I won’t do it until you grant permission. thanks!
Suzanne
Thanks, that would be so sweet of you!
I agree a book should be in the works for you. I would buy it, read it, and display it. Your work is wonderful and purposeful.
Thank you Annie….all things are possible!!
Love the post! What color/brand of paint did you use in the room that displays the white plates/pcs on the wall? That wall color is warm and cozy!! Thanks!:)
Here are my paint colors…hope this helps!
http://theinspiredroom.net/2011/01/11/the-paint-colors-so-far/
Ditto about the book. How about an E-Book?
Susan recently posted..c’mon spring
I love it Melissa….fabulous post….and Susan’s comment about an e-book…yeah, girl…go for it!
xoxo *farmer* lylah
lylah ledner recently posted..Introducing Cheese Chick and Pholia Farms
Melissa, You always have such wonderful and practical ways of looking at design. I really think these should be titles of chapters in your new book??!!! Happy Sunday,Kathysue
Kathysue recently posted..“The Call Of The Computer!”
Well, thank you!!!! I appreciate your encouragement so much!!!
Twitter: gardenhomeparty
says:
Melissa,
What a great post and like a mini-reference file for those times when you wonder why a room isn’t working (decor wise). I’ve filed this post in my “favorite” posts for my own future reference. Thanks so much.
Karen
I am new to ‘The Ispired Room’, and love it so far! I’m finding a lot of common ground here. I’m a uhuuum, almost fifty, stay at home mom and nana. That translates no budget, which translates, gotta get creative.
Sometimes that creativity looks like an elementary student did it and it finds it’s way to the trash can. Other times I create a keeper. Either way, I have this need to do projects. Yesterday I took a black, metal candle holder, meant for outdoors, painted it an off white, added faux crystal beads and white candles. It’s hanging in my half bath as a beautiful candelier.
I love being inspired and ‘The Inspired Room’ is full of it. Thank you, I’m so excited!
Thank you Denise! Welcome!
Melissa, Those commenters are spot on–you should really compile all of this into a book! I was going to say that I really enjoy going back through all of your older posts–some before I followed you, and some since. I could really spend all day going through all of your links–what better than a book?
Have a blessed day!
Marilyn
I just discovered your blog Melissa and I’m loving it! So much to see and read, I could stay here all day!
Thank you so much for putting all the links in one spot. I am going to go through each one. My dilemma is trying to cozy up a new home. No matter what I do it still feels cold. Maybe it’s all the hardwood……my home is screaming for molding and any color paint but WHITE. I also have a hard time focusing on just one room at a time. I did get my baby’s room done and I am almost done painting my teen’s room the most gorgeous shade of turquoise ~ with black accessories. I just feel overwhelmed with it all and I want it finished yesterday. I know I should just enjoy the process……..I am definitely grateful for my wonderful home. sorry for the rant…..blessings!
Karen recently posted..Taking a Break
Thanks for this post! I’m a new blogger and will use this list for quick and easy reference. And, I just saw your blue painted coffee table-awesome!
Barb
What a creative and practical list . . . thanks for sharing and doing all those links. (I hate doing lots of links.) I will enjoy each one.
Fondly,
Glenda
Glenda Childers recently posted..My Husband- the Speaker
What a wealth of inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing it all. I enjoyed your previous post as well. This all gives me hope that I can decorate my home in a way that my family will love and enjoy.
Tonya recently posted..Hidden Colour
Dear Melissa, Please write a book! I’ll pre-order a copy today. I’m keeping today’s post to use for any and all inspration/decoration project I should encounter in the future…tomorrow
Thank you so much, how nice to find so much encouragement today!!
Thank you so much for compiling this list. I am definitely bookmarking this page so I can reference it quite often. I always struggle with decorating and consequently most of my walls are bare.
tammy recently posted..Never Fear…
I have jsut spent the most lovely and relaxing half hour brousing you dite… thank you and well done :0)
Ruth MacCarthaigh recently posted..The Day the Movies died!
The Inspired Room is now a daily destination for me.
A few months ago I turned a small spare bedroom into my mom cave. I don’t like that name so if you can think of a better one please share.
Anyway, now my own mother wants me to do the same for her. Since discovering ‘The Inspired Room’ I will now have a bounty of inspiration for her room. Another project…yay!!!
Wow Melissa! This is such an amazing recap post. I’ve learned so much from you. You ROCK!
Laurie recently posted..How to Make a Table 11 DIY Designs
Aw, Laurie YOU ROCK!
Thank you.
Found you on tip junkie! Love your style, it is very inspirational! I am always looking for new ways to decorate, and I am not that good at it yet. Thanks for sharing!
Natalia recently posted..Paper Wreath
*THANK YOU!* for this!!!! I am trying, trying, and this is SO ENCOURAGING!!! Now I’m off to click through links…