5 Tips for Do-It-Yourself Home Decorating

By: WhoDoYou Staff

Become Your Own Home Decorator

Having recently moved, I had the joy of redecorating. Yay! Until I realized how many choices were out there… Below are 5 tips for navigating the design world to land the best pieces for your home.

1. Splurge on Key Pieces – We chose a theme (British Colonial) to avoid a hodgepodge of confusing items. Our splurges were on key pieces to achieve the look we wanted like an accented wood coffee table and refurbished wood bedroom set from West Elm. Try other high-end stores like Pottery Barn and Ethan Allen to find one or two key pieces that really achieve your look.
2. Accessorize Cheaply – For all the little tchotchkes, we went to discount stores like Target or Home Goods. There you can find accent pieces and seasonal accessories that won’t break your budget – pillows, lamps, shelving, rugs, curtains, wall art, candles, bookends, entertainment consoles, wine racks, oh the list goes on! Accessorizing was also a great way to add some color among all our wood pieces.
Need an Interior Designer? »
Submit job details. Get FREE estimates. Connect with pros ready to start today.
⇨
3. Quality vs. Quantity – Ah, the double edged sword of Ikea. We found success lies in the unique items that people don’t recognize as being ‘Ikea’ like colored glass cups or a woven wicker hamper. Ikea can also be a great place for wall decals that add pizzazz (but be careful, they are very permanent!) or buying lots of generic frames that you can spice up with colorful photos.
4. Second-Hand Treasures – The perfect second hand item tends to fall in your lap. The key here is simply to keep an eye out everywhere you go. Friend moving? Ask if they are getting rid of something you like. Flea market? Do a look-see. Sunday spent strolling cute boutique shops? Keep your eyes peeled and be surprised at the (cheap!) possibilities.
5. Budget Friendly Choices – Try as you might and sometimes you can’t find that large piece in the style you want for the price you need. We searched high and low for an affordable wood-framed couch that would fit our British Colonial theme. In the end, we went for a budget friendly option from a discount furniture store but made sure the color was appropriate with the rest of our design pieces.

Got a favorite place to shop for design pieces? Tweet @whodoyou_trust and let us know!