The basics of home decorating should be considered basic knowledge for independent living. Whether it's because a new move has just been completed, or the burden of routine is starting to feel overwhelming, at some point every home calls for a facelift. This does not necessarily have to be solved by throwing everything out and spending an inordinate amount of money, sometimes it is enough to have some basic notions of decoration, and a little creativity.
This brief guide to basic decorating principles will be useful for those who want to get started and make changes to their home following Dareels' inspiration:
Analyze your lifestyle and find out your needs
Decorating a family home is not the same as decorating an artist's studio or a couple's apartment. Each lifestyle has its own charm, and the idea of interior design is to bring out the best in everyone.
You may need ample space for sharing, which would mean plenty of seating and storage, or you may have smaller spaces and have to opt for furniture that can be used for several purposes at once.
An analysis of the entire space and its intended use will answer the essential questions: What style will define the room? Is renovation necessary?
From this point on, it is best to make a list of all the changes you are going to make, from furniture, to textiles, to possible renovations, and then start with the budgets.
If you have a very definite limit for the budget, it is advisable to divide each category (furniture, paint, textiles, lighting, decorative objects...) and according to the priority, allocate a part of it.
It is important to keep in mind that the budgets that are proposed at the beginning are rarely maintained throughout the project, so do not get frustrated if you start to see changes. Everything is adaptable.
Reforms? Professionals.
If it has been decided that the space needs a renovation, it is a basic of decoration to know that it is not something to do on your own.
The best thing to do is always to count on trustworthy professionals, who listen to the needs that have been raised in the first point, and take them into consideration to make possible the change that is desired from the base.
It is especially recommended to comment at this time on possible changes to central and general lighting in the rooms, as although they often seem like a simple job, at the end of the day it can lead to more complications.
The same goes for painting and flooring changes. Painting a room is not a task to be taken lightly, or air pockets and dampness may appear in the future, things that a professional could easily avoid from the start.
Regarding possible changes in the installation of floors, we also recommend the hand of a professional, and the use of quality materials. Currently some adhesive coatings are popular, which apart from not having such a simple installation, are of low durability, and are usually composed of plastic materials, so they will not have a good finish, and will leave an artificial air in the home.
Color tricks that never fail
Another of the basic concepts of interior decoration is the use of color in the rooms. From Dareels we present two proposals that never fail, but you always have the option of venturing with something more risky if the style calls for it.
The 60 30 10 rule
This rule on the application of color in interior decoration is very simple. It is only to choose a color palette consisting of 3 shades, and apply it to the elements of the room in parts of 60%, 30%, and 10%, leaving the latter for the details in the most striking color of the three.
Neutral color palette
Another option can be to let ourselves be carried away by neutral color palettes, choosing up to 5 shades, with which we will get a relaxing atmosphere suitable for almost any style and room. This option stands out for its versatility, while the 60 30 10 rule stands out for its personality.
Space awareness
As mentioned above, the needs of interior decoration also depend to a large extent on the space available.
A large room may have more purely decorative elements, more space and air to breathe all the pieces that compose it, while a smaller room should focus on functionality and even in some cases, multitasking.
For these smaller spaces, convertible furniture options such as trundle beds, storage sofas, or extendable sofas and tables, can be the key to allowing more space while meeting all the needs, without neglecting style and design.
Pleasant textures
Our senses deserve the best, and this includes touch. Textures in the home bring volume, consistency and style, but they are also there to give us the pleasure of touch at home. Top-quality raw materials play a major role in this. Chemically untreated woods, such as those we work with at Dareels, bring a soft, natural texture, which transports the user to an open and free environment.
On the other hand, we can also consider vegetable fiber fabrics, which are rich in textures, and whose pieces are braided by hand, being authentic handicraft items: exclusive and sustainably manufactured pieces.
Wool rugs and cushions with textiles of interesting textures will always add a special touch to the environment.
Aromatherapy at home
The home should feel like that special place from the moment you enter the house. For this, it is very important that it has its own aroma, which is directly related to that which brings relaxation and satisfaction, but without being too suffocating.
For this purpose, the occasional use of incense and candles is ideal, but the basis will be in the home diffusers.
It is also important to place small scent points in those places that are prone to losing their fragrance regularly, such as the inside of drawers and closets, where natural scented air fresheners like vanilla, cinnamon or coconut will do a perfect job, or place a small potpourri on the shoe cabinet.
Good home ventilation and proper housekeeping are two vital reminders to maintain the feeling of a clean, well-scented home.
But always the best way to refresh and bring aroma to the house in the most natural way, will be to take into account the decoration with indoor plants.
Seasons and holidays
Among the principles of decoration, we also come across special dates, times when stores are loaded with eye-catching decorations that beg for attention, and that follow spontaneous fashions, making them unlikely to even fit into the possible aesthetics of the same date for the following year.
Finally, the best advice for this is to look for a fixed decoration for these seasons, such as Christmas, spring or Halloween, taking into account the main aesthetics of our home, and reduce these elements to the essentials and small details.
A house completely themed by a temporary party can easily lose its own essence, besides giving much more work and contributing to the cycle of wild consumerism.
Apart from special dates, there is also the seasonal change decoration, a task that can be simplified considerably if you opt for timeless and high quality furniture.
In this case, these changes will be reduced to simply changing or adding textiles to the house: changing the wool carpets for hemp or jute, or adding some bedspreads and a bed runner to the bedroom, can mean the ideal change between the cold and warm months.
