Taking your first step onto the property ladder is one of life’s greatest milestones. But with so much to familiarize yourself with ahead of time, it can be difficult to know where to begin. For first-time buyers, interior design is usually one of the first items on the agenda. Continue reading to find out everything you should know about the interior design elements of your home as a first-time buyer.
Establish a plan
When it comes to furnishing your first home, it can be easy to get lost in the excitement of it all. Whether you have rented previously or have only just flown the nest for the first time, this is the first time you have been given complete creative control over the interior of your home. By establishing a plan ahead of time, you can ensure you are only purchasing essential items that are suitable for the dimensions of your property and that reflect the current interior design choices of your home.
Express yourself
As this is your first home, you must introduce a sense of personality into your interior design choices. Gone are the days of feeling limited to neutral color palettes and matching three piece suites. These days, the potential to explore our personal tastes, interests and passions is bigger and better than ever before.
Even better? Your unique flair can be as bold or as subtle as you like, depending on the room. If you’re not ready to suffuse your living room and kitchen then focus on your spare room.
If you have a passion for sport, you might consider transforming your spare room into an exhibit of your precious memorabilia and collectibles – and creating the perfect TV setup to ensure a quiet space away from the noise of the rest of the house. If you’re a history nut, then you could turn your spare room into a study, or into a gaming hub devoted to your favorite games inspired by Greek mythology.
There are a large number of ways you can do this. Incorporating a gallery wall of personal images can serve as a reminder of those nearest and dearest to you. It can also be as simple as injecting your favorite color into each room or experimenting with bold wallpaper on one or more walls. Expressing yourself can allow you to feel at home and create a warm, comforting space that you can look forward to returning to at the end of each day.
Don’t rush
While it may be tempting to rush out and buy everything on your shopping list, this can be a considerable waste of time and money. By taking the time to purchase the essentials first and add decorative pieces as you go, you can prevent yourself from making permanent decisions that you may come to regret down the line. For example, if you are torn between two different paint colours, purchase samples of each and test on a small section of the wall you intend to apply it to. You may also be torn between utilizing your spare room as a gaming hub or as a study. You must weigh up the pros and cons of each option before you make an informed decision.
Quality over quantity
As a first-time buyer, it can be easy to go crazy and overdecorate your new home. This can lead to its interior looking messy and cluttered before you have even finished unpacking. Taking the time to curate high-quality items of furniture as opposed to several items can allow you to create a living space that oozes elegance and glamour. With mortgage costs eating up a large quantity of your budget, it pays to cut costs whenever and wherever you can. High-quality fixtures and fittings also prolong your home’s lifespan and increase the chances of it surging in value over time.
Play with texture
Aside from color, texture can be a great way to add depth to the interior of your home. For example, a couple of cozy throws and pillows in your living room and transform it from a functional space to a room the entire family can enjoy. Incorporating texture early on can speed up the process of settling into your new property and make your house feel like a home almost immediately.
For first-time buyers, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to decorating the interior of your new home. If you are unfamiliar with the process, it can help to establish a plan, don’t rush, express yourself, favor quality over quantity, and play with texture.
