Downsizing With Style

If you have decided to sell your big family home and move into a smaller and more manageable house or condo, you might be wondering how to manage your furnishings and create a new interior design that maximizes space. This can be tricky, so consider the following suggestions.

The first step in downsizing really needs to happen prior to the day you move. It is important to organize and reduce your furnishings and other items before the moving truck arrives. Anything you sell or donate will not have to be moved, which can reduce your overall moving expenses. In addition, you won’t have to find a place to fit items at the new house. So take a good hard look at your furnishings, clothes, books, kitchen ware and accessories. Get rid of anything you haven’t used in the past 12 months, as well as anything you no longer like.

Don’t forget to dig into those closets, attic and garage. Typically, there are tons of items stored in these places that you can easily dump, donate or sell. Don’t feel guilty about getting rid of old gifts or sentimental items, either. If you have just been storing them, then they aren’t really being enjoyed. In addition to these interior items, think about your lawn furniture and gardening supplies. If your new space has a much smaller yard, you probably won’t need that bulky riding lawn mower and the huge patio set. These items can be sold or donated before you move.

Chances are you probably have more furniture than you need or perhaps larger furniture than you really need. If you are having trouble imagining where it all should go, it is a great idea to talk to an interior designer. A designer isn’t just a person who selects fabrics and paint chips. An experienced designer is a person who creates a perfect space plan. She will measure your space, taking into consideration size, shape, traffic flow, lighting and other important elements and create a plan that makes the most of the space you have.

Many designers offer the option of creating a space plan and design suggestions, instead of the full service of design and the execution of the design. This can be a great and economical way to use a professional interior design service. You can ask your designer to create a plan for just one main space in your new home or perhaps two or three areas that you are having trouble envisioning.

If you just don’t have the time to do the design work, you can certainly hire the designer to complete the entire project from start to finish. This can be more affordable than you might believe. This is because designers know where to find the best value on high-quality furnishings and decorative features. In addition, a designer can truly envision the final project, where most of us might have to go through a process of trial and error before settling on a design we love.

Vickie Daeley loves blogging and sharing her knowledge in interior design. For further information about an Orange County interior designer or to find a Tustin Interior Designer, go to the Interior Affairs site now.

The post Downsizing With Style appeared first on downshar.com.

Downsizing With Style



via downshar http://www.downshar.com/?p=2431

read more

Designing The Perfect Living Room In Seven Easy Steps

Regardless of whether you are decorating your first apartment or regenerating your existing space, there are several points that you will want to consider before making your first purchase or rearranging your furniture. Unless you are fortunate enough to have a family room in addition to your living room, the living room definitely will become the heart of your home.

If your living room is going to be a combination living room and family room, then you will naturally make adjustments for a smooth and interesting correlation.

The first item you want to look for in your space is a focal point. Do you have a beautiful fireplace? A great view from your windows? Or is this a family room combo and the television is going to be the primary focus of your family? Make this decision now.

If you have high, lofty ceilings, you may prefer to purchase fewer pieces of furniture but they should be larger in scale. Large rooms will simply appear overcrowded with dozens of tiny tables and miniscule seating areas.

Before purchasing or rearranging your furniture, it is always helpful to draw a chart to scale. This simply means that you measure each piece you are considering for your space and by reducing the size, create your own pattern for your room and furnishings. This will show you how to best take advantage of the flow of your space.

Neutral colors on the walls are a good background choice for most families. But if you want to express an outgoing personality or just feel great in yellows, reds or oranges, by all means, find the perfect bright and load your walls with color. If your schedule is hectic and you desire peace and quiet but don’t want a neutral, consider the softer, muted blues, greens, grays and browns for your wall color choice.

Don’t forget that floors and ceilings are also important elements of your room. Whether you choose carpeting, tile or wood, they should be an integral part of your design. Consider painting the ceiling a color other than pure white. If you have beautiful wood trim around your ceiling, consider a color that will complement your walls.

If you need a calming atmosphere, pattern may not be a choice for you. But mixing plaids with florals or stripes can be a fun and interesting way to add variety to your room. Just verify that your colors coordinate perfectly and remember, a little goes a long way.

The “piece de resistance” of any room is the accessories. Whether family photos, a magnificent collection of antique Limoges boxes or leather bound books are your thing, be sure to display them with pride. This last touch will pull your living room together and give the ambiance of continuity. You now possess a gracious, charming room that should work well for the entire family.

Vickie Daeley enjoys writing and sharing her knowledge in interior design. To get further info about an Orange County interior design consultant, or to discover an Irvine interior designer, check out the Interior Affairs site now.

Designing The Perfect Living Room In Seven Easy Steps



via downshar http://www.downshar.com/?p=2089

read more