Decorating Through The Ages and Stages

Does it seem that the young generation and the old generation will never see eye to eye, especially when it comes to style of clothing, music, entertainment and home decorating? Whether you're into stiletto heels, baggy pants, polo shirts or suits; smooth jazz or hard rock; sensible sofas with safe color schemes or Ikea minimalism and bold color; there is one thing that every generation agrees on and that comes in the form of a dream. The dream of home ownership. Each generation wants to own their own home, and decorate that home to compliment their lifestyle.

The First Time Buyer
What a great time, owning your first home. Time to dump the "my first apartment" furnishings and establish a look that is uniquely yours. After making the trade off from the house of your dreams to the home you could actually afford, you might feel like the house is smaller and less elegant than you envisioned. Not to worry. Your new home can still reflect your unique style and personality and be a source of comfort and pride.

Decorating Through The Ages and Stages
Professional designers always start with a plan - which is especially important when working with smaller spaces. Begin by placing furnishings on a plan to scale. Next, develop a color scheme that has a neutral background. Neutral colors expand the space visually and allow you to change accessories like accent pillows and art as you can afford.

It's best to start with one large item that you love. A big-screen TV in an entertainment center, a sofa, or even a piece of art. This will serve as a focal point to work around. In most areas of your home you can get away with purchasing inexpensive furnishings to start, with the goal of replacing these items with quality pieces over time. Of course, I suggest buying good quality beds and sofas from the start. Consignment stores are a great place to find quality furnishings at value prices.

One of the biggest benefits of going from renter to homeowner is you can personalize your home any way you choose. Paint is a very easy and affordable way to add drama to neutral furnishings. If the room is small, try adding one wall of color. Wallpaper borders at the ceiling add height and character to children's bedrooms and can be changed easily as your child grows. Sponge paint or faux paint is another excellent way to brighten a room - and you can do it yourself.

The Move-up Buyer
As families mature and children grow, it's often necessary to move to a larger home. Such a move is a wonderful opportunity to update your decorating style. Of course, the space in your new home needs to compliment your family's lifestyle, which is why a plan is critical at this stage of life. Careful planning can help you maximize storage space, and create "zones" that will enhance the function of your home. Typically you'll want a zone for activity, a zone for family time together, and a quiet zone.

Decorating a move-up home can take on an exciting blend of showcasing individual taste while establishing a sense of formality to enhance the more upscale setting. For example, the living room can revolve around a practical, conversational grouping of furniture, and at the same time become a showcase for beautiful furnishings, art work, and collectibles. Your color scheme could revolve around a new Oriental rug that works with your existing furnishings. Or you could reupholster quality sofas for a whole new look at a cost that's usually lower than replacing them.

Practical new furnishings for the family room, office, and children's rooms will grow with you through the teenage years. Darker colors with texture seem to work the best. Built-in media centers and tech centers are great additions for multi-purpose use. If you plan to use your existing furnishings, you can freshen the look by adding colorful accent pillows or even placing an attractive area rug on top of carpeting.

When choosing features for your new home, keep in mind that upgraded items like granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and wood flooring will add to the decorating style and resale value of the home.

The Move Down Buyer
At this stage in their lives, many home buyers wish to simplify and scale down. After years of accumulating "stuff," the active adult's mind is often focused on quality instead of quantity. Some in this category have furnishings they would never part with, while others prefer to start fresh. The key to success, of course, revolves around having a plan. First, define your needs. Then, design your furnishings to work.

Chances are, your new home has an extra bedroom or two. Do you want to create a guest room or a dual purpose room that can accommodate a hobby as well as a guest? Do you entertain frequently? Living areas should be planned accordingly. Also think carefully about how you plan to use outdoor areas. Well designed patios or decks can extend your living space and add to the enjoyment of your home. For most active adults, simplicity and functionality seem to be key.

One final word of advice - don't feel you need to adhere to strict rules or guidelines to create an appealing home. Trust your judgment and don't be afraid to experiment. The goal is to design spaces that make you happy and comfortable. After all, having a home you really love is what the American Dream is all about.