For most of us, buying our first home is one of the biggest milestones in our lives. As well as it being a very exciting time, it is also very stressful and can be a worrying process.

A big part of the journey is how we’re going to decorate and make our new place feel like home. Before we get fully moved in, many of us have a vision of how we want our home to look by the end.

However, when it comes to the interior, two things can get in our way: time and money. A lot of the time our ideal décor is not realistic, and we have to make sacrifices.

Here are some tips to follow if you’re a first-time homeowner…

Keep Things Simple

You know the saying ‘less is more’ well it couldn’t be more relevant with your interior.

Don’t think that you need to fill every corner with ornaments and all sorts. As you’re probably already aware, clutter builds up naturally so the less you make on purpose the better. This is especially true when you’re wanting to get that fresh contemporary look, it’s all about clean spaces.

Be minimal in your approach, go for neutral flooring, walls and furniture. You might want to add a bit more character or move things around in a few years’ time, but starting off with a blank canvas is the best way to go.

Looking to save some cash? Take a look at how to spruce up your bedroom for free!

 

minimal living area. blue sofa, plants, drawers Credit: Unsplash

Make a Plan

Although decorating is all about winging it to a certain extent, it’s always good to have some idea of how you want it to look even if it’s not completely ridged.

No major project should be embarked upon without some sort of plan and things will feel less stressful if you go into it with some idea!

A good place to start is by picking a colour and interior theme, for example, decide whether you’re going down the rustic or modern route. You don’t want to fall in love with a gorgeous parquet wood to then find out that it doesn’t complement the theme you’ve gone for!

Don’t think you have to be overly strict either, not everything has to be completely perfect but having some idea makes things less daunting!

 

pantone colour samples Credit: Unsplash

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Professional Advice

Sometimes, we all need to ask for help when it comes to areas that aren’t our strong points.

If it’s your first home, then it’s likely you’re not going to have all the answers and experience when it comes to doing up your new home.

If you’re finding it hard to execute or even imagine your ideas working, it’s not a bad idea to hire an interior designer who can make your vision come to life and give you extra inspiration. Although this may come at a cost, it’s better than going in and spending money with no real guarantee that it’ll work.

 

man and woman decorating room Credit: Unsplash

Although these tips might sound obvious, a lot of us get so carried away with excitement when we get our new home (understandable!) that we often make rash decisions without thinking things through.

Take your time, it’s likely your home will be your most expensive asset so spend some time getting it perfect.