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Interior inspiration: Decorating from scratch

May 02, 2018
Interior inspiration: Decorating from scratch

Buying a new build home is a great opportunity to really put your mark on interior design from the get-go.

But faced with a blank canvas, it can be difficult to come up with decor ideas for your new home. To get you started, we’ve put together a few helpful pointers.
 

Make a moodboard

Before you even begin looking at paint colours and furniture, you should collect cuttings from paint charts, fabric samples, magazine and catalogue cut outs, and put together a moodboard of all your favourite interior design touches. Don’t get too hung up on how it all fits together - just choose those colours, soft furnishings and layouts that catch your eye and either stick them on a big sheet of card or collate them on a Pinterest board. Once you’re done, you’ll have a great point of reference full of ideas that really resonate with you.

Decide your budget

Your budget will determine exactly how you plan your interior design project, so make sure you’re realistic about the money you have to spend from the word go. Once you’ve decided how much money you’ll be dedicating to your home’s decor, divide the budget according to priority, starting with paint and bigger, more important pieces of furniture.

Come up with a colour scheme

Next, use your moodboard to come up with a colour scheme for each room. Perhaps you’ve gravitated towards slate greys and brilliant whites, or maybe you’re drawn to vibrant greens and tropical pinks. Whatever your taste, make sure you take a considered approach to colour, thinking about how it will affect the look and feel of your room. Warm colours are good for a cosier feel, while cooler colours give the illusion of space in smaller rooms.
 

Measure your rooms

Now it’s time to measure your rooms, so you know exactly what space you have to play with. Grab a measuring tape, or get hold of your new build floor plans, and get specific about how your furniture will fit in each room.

Think about room use and layouts

Once your walls are painted and your rooms are measured, it’s time to think about how your space will be organised and what each room will be used for. Do you want to create a reading nook in the living room? Do you need space for a dressing table or writing desk in the bedroom? Think about your needs, and design your room layout around those must-have spaces.

Don’t hang on to all your furniture

When it’s time to move your furniture back into the room, be ruthless with what you want to keep and what doesn’t fit with your new interior style. Any furniture that doesn’t make the cut can be sold, taken to charity, reused for a different room or put into storage. 

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