Interior Design for Your New Home
You've found the perfect house-the home of your dreams ... except for the sterile white walls and lack of furnishings.

by Hallie House

You've found the perfect house-the home of your dreams ... except for the sterile white walls and lack of furnishings. If you're like most home buyers, the excitement that comes with finding your dream home eventually gives way to the realization that to make the home truly yours, some home improvements will have to be made.

These improvements can come with any number of unforeseen costs, and it's difficult to prioritize projects and estimate expenditures. Claire Ownby, ASID, a top interior designer and the owner of Ownby Design, LLC, offers a few tips on when to splurge and when to save.

SPLURGE

1. Enhance your kitchen.
To transform your bland, vanilla kitchen into a dazzling, functional space, start with the most impactful enhancements: countertops and cabinets. Kitchen remodeling is the most important project you can do to increase the value of your home. In addition to the potential financial benefits of this investment, the kitchen also tends to be a favorite gathering place in the home. Because it is a much-used room, it merits an investment in its aesthetics and functionality.

For a clean, fresh look, choose a natural stone slab material for the countertops-granite is always a reliable choice. A natural stone slab will give your kitchen a continuous clean look. Adding a multi-colored tile backsplash is a great way to add color and texture.

For cabinetry, a simple door style will give your kitchen a timeless, classic appearance. And because cabinetry can be very expensive, choosing a simple style is a great way to cut costs without sacrificing the overall look of your kitchen.

2. Transform the space with flooring.
Flooring, especially dramatic hardwood or tile floors, can completely transform an interior space and can establish the feel of the entire home fromthemoment one enters. Flooring is one of the most critical design features of your home. Hardwood or tile in a neutral tone makes for a beautiful backdrop for the rest of your design choices.More commonly usedmaterials such as oak hardwood flooring are often more competitively priced.

3. Invest in a great sofa.
When it comes to furniture, the most worthwhile expenditure is a large upholstered sectional or sofa. Do your research, and be sure to purchase a piece that is not only timeless in its design but also in its durability. It's worth saving up to purchase the highest quality sofa you can afford.

It's best to select a sofa that is neutral in tone and add accent color with throws and pillows. This way, if you grow tired of your color scheme, you can easily swap out throws and pillows for a new look.

SAVE

1. Add color and personality to your walls.
Painting is one of the most affordable ways to make over your space. If you can't decide on a hue, choose a neutral color that will blend well with any color scheme you use throughout the house. This will allow you to change your decor as often as you desire without having to repaint.

There are endless easy and quick ways to decorate your walls, and wall decor is a great way to add color and life to your home. For large wall areas try hanging a large piece of nontraditional art to fill up the space. Home decor stores and showrooms often offer great discounts for used or slightly damaged art pieces.

2. Make the most of accent pieces.
Use area rugs and accent pieces to make a room feel warmer and more inviting. Accent pieces reflect your personal design style and thus, are vital in creating unique home decor. Furniture can set the mood in a room, and decorative accent pieces reinforce that mood. The first principle of unique home decor and home decor shopping is to go with what you like. Buy home accent pieces you are comfortable with that make you feel at home.

Pillows and throw blankets add instant color and texture to a room. Choose a color scheme for the room, then choose an odd number of pillows and a couple of throws for your sofa, accent chair or loveseat. These accents can help create a cohesive look, especially with furniture that is slightly mismatched.

3. Shed light on your space.
The right lighting can soften any space and create a warm mood, especially in a new home. Proper lighting in a new home not only makes the rooms more welcoming, it acts as a decorative touch that helps create an upscale, pulledtogether look without much cost.

Hallie House is a Public Relations Coordinator for McMurry in Phoenix.

www.ownbydesign.com
480.575.8448