Last year, I promised you a ‘short and sweet’ decorating plan & I think you’ve waited long enough!

Several of my friends are selling their homes and want some staging tips. Admittedly, the market right now almost everywhere is very low on established home inventory with so much new building going on. But anyone can use these tips no matter what your situation might be.

Set a budget! Then go thru all your stuff & donate or sell anything you haven’t used in a year. Pick an overall color scheme and paint and clean up the floors & the carpet. Start with a fairly clean slate. Then you’re ready to rock & roll.

Remember to have FUN & try to enjoy the process.
Less is more! Where does all this stuff come from anyway!?
Remember the 3 cardinal rules of decorating: Function, Mood & Harmony
Accessories are generally used in odd numbers. Try it! This would include wall decor, & even floral arrangements.
View the project in TOTAL. Design is about wholeness & using individual elements & combining them into a total concept. Always keep one eye on the complete scheme.
Use your color wheel! This will point you in the right direction.
Find a piece of fabric that you LOVE & pull your accessory colors from there.
Start with your “big” accessories & work to the smaller ones. Flooring is 30% of the visual impact of a room and 30% of the budget. Remember to think about your lighting, as light & space are the most precious elements of an environment. With window treatments, “fabric dictates style”. Coordinate your patterns & use many different textures to bring a great deal of interest into your home or the room.
Always save room for a SURPRISE! A treasured heirloom or a crazy garage sale find could bring you some happiness.
Finally, say “Aaaahhh”!! In technical terms this would mean that your design is aesthetically pleasing. But in everyday language, this means that when you look at what you’ve created, you feel relaxed — & there’s a smile on your face :)

Stay tuned for the specifics of the process above.

Check out this laundry room makeover from www.hative.com