How to Change Your Style of Home Decor

Most of us can remember (and not always fondly), how we decorated our first place. Personally, I have gone thru the French Country, Southwest and the Asian styles. When we get tired of one style of decorating it can be frustrating trying to figure out how to do away with the old and incorporate new things without spending a fortune. Here are a few ideas on how to move on to the style that truly reflects you.....

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
   PRIMITIVE COUNTRY STILL APPEALS,JUST NOT TO EVERYONE.

   Your first step should be to determine how you want your home to look; if you currently have a decidedly country look and are maybe just tired of it, it wouldn't be too hard to "remove" all the traces of country. Many country homes I've visited have the usual practical furnishings and most of these items can still be used. So many times though, what gives a room that country feel are the roosters, cows, primitive signs and so on. Gather up all the accessories that are in the room that you feel can only be used for that country look, and lets take a new look at them.

2. 
   A BLACK ROOSTER WOULD LOOK VERY CONTEMPORARY

   Every style has it's own accessories, and it's usually these items that can easily be removed to change the look of the room. Sometimes these very items can be given a new look and you can continue to use them. Things like pillows can be recovered, a primitive wildly painted rooster can be sprayed black and it becomes contemporary. Some items like baskets with dried flowers can simply be empted and you still have a nice basket. In many cases though, you will need to put away or sell those accessories that cannot be refurbished into a different style.

3. 
   FOR THOSE WHO LOVE COLOR!

   Sometimes just painting your room is the best way to changing it's style. Many Southwest rooms are painted in the colors of the sunset, but by going neutral your room takes on a totally different feel. If your window treatments are of a style you'd rather change, can they be dyed? Or could you cover that band of stars and stripes with a plain border? You don't even need to know how to sew, the use of fusible webbing enables anyone to iron-on a new fabric.(Ask about this at your local fabric shop, they'll tell you how).

4. 
   THE NEW LOOK?

   Occasionally it may be necessary to start from scratch. If you can still use your furniture, you have a good start. Take your time searching out just the right accessories for your new room, many times you can thrift shop or use consignment stores and find great deals. The season of yard sales is almost upon us and a smart shopper who knows what she's looking for can find some terrific buys. Just keep your objective in mind, don't let that cute little cow cookie jar entice you.....

Tips & Warnings

• Take some time and write down just how you'd like your new room to look, collect pictures from magazines to help remind you of what you may need. Enlist the advice of a friend who has a room that you just love, she could help find items that would suit your new room to a tee!

Resources

• How To Create Romantic Style
• Make Your Own Milk Paint
• How To Paint An Accent Wall
• Paint Your Home With Warm Fall Color

[LilacGirl]

on 8/10/2009 Excellent suggestions, and this is something I'm working on doing right now so your article was very helpful to me.

[angellove24]

on 6/1/2009 good tips

[Susanh]

on 5/18/2009 Helpful tips on changing out your home's decor.