Beautifying Your Home
by: Brook Noel
"Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue
all that you want." --Jim Rohn
As a frequent traveler, I'm often amazed at how dramatically
my mood changes depending on where I am staying. I have stayed
in some very nice hotels that were so warm and welcoming that
I loved being in my room. Other rooms were so dark and uninviting
I found my mood spiraling downward. Our environment and surroundings
play a huge part in how we feel on a day-to-day basis. Think about
it. When your home is messy, chaotic, cluttered, and filled with
piles, how do you feel? My guess would be "stressed"
is amongst the adjectives that top your list. Likewise, when our
homes are clean and straightened we feel more at peace.
So why not create a dream home for yourself? You don't need
a million dollar budget and a designer's help. Instead, approach
your home with the same mentality we bring to this challenge -
one day, one step, and one project- at a time.
The task of beautifying your home will be an ongoing process.
I recommend getting a separate binder for this project. I have
a binder with dividers for each room of the house that I wanted
to "beautify." Then when I found pictures, ideas, or
had inspirations, I would store the information behind the applicable
room tab.
The process of going through your home is much like when we
created the MASTER TASK LIST. Choose a room in which to start.
Sit down for a good twenty minutes, really taking in all the items,
furniture, textures, and colors of the room. Then imagine how
you would like the room to be. Don't be shy, write down anything
that comes to mind no matter how crazy it seems. There may be
things on your list that aren't practical right now and that's
okay. These notes will give you a clue into the traits and mood
you want to create in the room and you may be able to find a less
expensive alternative. (For example, in one room I would have
loved new hardwood floors. Instead, I found that sanding the current
wood floors and covering them with inexpensive rugs purchased
at a wholesale outlet, created the nice warm feeling I was looking
to have.)
Here are some specific things to think about in each room:
COLOR: Do the walls represent the room? If your house has all
white walls, consider toying with color. Painting a room is the
quickest way to give it a fresh look. Stenciling is another option
for those who don't want to brave a full paint makeover. If you
want to keep your white walls, are there prints or paintings that
could be added to give the room a new tone? What types of prints
and paintings would you enjoy - abstract, contemporary, wildlife?
What colors should the paintings emphasize to help coordinate
the overall color of the room?
FURNITURE: Are there pieces of furniture that need to be refinished,
repaired, or replaced? Are there any pieces you would like to
add?
WINDOWS: Do you like your current window coverings? If not,
what would you prefer? Would you like to go with a valance? Blinds?
No coverings?
DECORATIONS: What elements could be added to change the tone
of the room? How about a small water fountain in a room where
you like to relax? Fountains can be found very inexpensively at
stores like Target or Wal-Mart. Would an arrangement of candles
or dried flowers add to the room? Could you remove items to simplify
the space? Could you swap items with items from another area of
the house for a fresh feel?
FOLIAGE: What about plants? Plants quickly provide a new feel
within a room. If you have a bad history with plants, don't despair.
Visit your local garden center and explain you want a very durable
plant for someone without a "green thumb." These garden
experts can help you pick the plant that is best for you.
FLOOR COVERING: How do you want your floors to look? Would
you like rugs, floor coverings, hardwood, or to lay new tile?
Idea-Gathering Gathering ideas can be a very fun step. Begin
by paging through magazines and finding attractive rooms. For
example, if you are working on your living room, begin by finding
living rooms that have a theme or feel you would like to emulate
in your own home. Don't worry if you can't find something that
is exactly like what you want; you can clip furniture from one
picture and paintings from another. Here are a few more sources
for idea-gathering:
1. If you have a friend who has a "knack" for displays
and interior design, consider seeking her help and recommendations.
2. Visit furniture stores, antique shops, and department stores
to gather ideas for displays and decoration. Check your local
library and bookstore for additional books and ideas.
3. The internet also has a ton of great resources for decorating.
Try doing a search at http://www.google.com for decorating. The
Better Homes and Gardens website has a lot of great resources
as well - you can find it at www.bhg.com.
4. Visit your local improvement store. Look at their idea books
and magazines. Find paint samples and color palettes that are
appealing to you.
5. Let the process of gathering ideas take as long as you desire.
Remember this is a work in progress. Once you have some ideas,
pick one to start. I encourage you to work through one room at
a time, completing it in its entirety before moving to the next
room. This way you will be able to enjoy one room while working
on the others and not cause a lot of clutter or disruption in
the home.
Remember that decorating and performing a facelift to a room
needn't be costly or time consuming. Adding a new print to a wall,
colorful pillows to a couch, or a few plants can breathe new life
into a tired room.
Your Assignment:
Begin gathering ideas. Try to choose at least one idea that
can be implemented today to beautify your home.
About The Author: Brook Noel is an international, best-selling
author and has written over 10 books. Her works include: I Wasn't
Ready to Say Goodbye: surviving, coping, and healing after the
sudden death of a loved one, Grief Steps, The Single Parent Resource
and her newest book The Change Your Life Challenge: A 70 Day Life
Makeover Program for Women To learn more about the challenge that
thousands of women have used to improve relationships, finances,
home management, self-esteem, fitness, self-care, stress and depression
you can visit the website at: http://www.changeyourlifechallenge.com
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