Building on a Theme – Decorating Rooms

decorative accessories for living roomDesigning and planning how you will decorate a room, rooms or even a house can be a lot of fun. Incorporating a scheme or theme into the space can help to give it a certain charm.

Whether you work a theme throughout the house, or consider each room individually, creating ambiance and character will maximise the rooms potential. Using this to your advantage can make a living room relaxing, a bedroom comfortable or a workspace inspiring.

Your décor could take you back to a time, a place or it could help spark conversation. You can also use your decorating to make rooms feel bigger, smaller, shorter or taller. However you decorate, the important thing to remember, is that it should speak to you.

Your living spaces are just that, yours, so be sure to create something you can fall in love with.

Let’s take a look at how to build on a theme.

Step 1 – Choose a Theme

Logically, your first step will be to decide on a theme. This could relate to a colour scheme, lifestyle, places, interests or even culture. Think about what the space will be used for; bedrooms should have minimal distractions and avoid bright colours (the exception to this, is a child’s room). Shared living spaces can benefit from inspiring artwork or photographs that nurture conversation.

 

kitchen table and chairs

Step 2 – Research

Once you have decided upon a theme, you should begin to research the theme. This can even be applied to colour schemes, finding out what colours are complimentary to each other or what feelings can be evoked by certain colour schemes.

If you have a theme related to a place, time or culture, look into the history and imagery on the internet. You never know what sort of inspiration you may find.

Step 3 – Planning

Planning how you will implement your theme into your space can help identify potential clashes of colours or other disruptions before you get started. Working out the size of your space before you buy materials will help needless waste or shortfalls. Also think about the tools you’ll need for a perfect execution.

Pro Tip – When planning to decorate a space, add a 10% margin to allow for mistakes and mismeasurements. It’s better to have too much, than not enough.

Always consider your furniture as well as décor; do you plan to buy new furniture or are you working around existing furnishings. Can any existing furniture be upcycled or refreshed to better fit with your theme? Having a plan in place will almost certainly help keep your work inline with your vision.

Step 4 – The Task at Hand

With plans in place and materials on stand-by, its time to get stuck in. Remember to follow your plan and try not to rush things. Mask off to keep tidy edges and clean up whilst you work. Keeping the area free of clutter is sometimes easier said than done, so take regular breaks and have a little tidy as you go.

decor accessories for living room

Step 5 – Sit Back and Enjoy the View

Once you’re finished, the masking tape is off and the furniture is in place, it’s time to enjoy your handy work.

As you can now appreciate it in all its glory, try adding some little finishing touches to compliment the theme. This could be a relatable item on a shelf or bookcase, a picture, painting or other artwork. House plants are always a welcome addition to living spaces.

Adding a final touch brings a sense of closure to the job allowing you to enjoy what you have created.

In need of some inspiration?

Why not take a look through our homewares collection? With throws, coffee tables, artwork, and much more. Our Scandinavian inspired designs and décor take a minimalist approach using natural textures and neutral palettes, perfect for creating relaxing, contemporary homes.