There’s nothing more exciting than moving to a new home or apartment. The first few days are a whirlwind of activity but once you’ve started settle in you may feel a little unsettled with the bare walls that surround you. Everything suddenly seems cold and impersonal and you’re not sure how to make the space truly your own.
Here are 3 easy ways to personalize your new space.
1. Nothing says ‘you’ more than your family. Why not make an attractive grouping of favorite family photos on one wall? The key is to keep it simple and uncluttered. Choose a few favorite photos and buy matching frames and mats in a color that will complement the rest of your decor. The photos don’t have to be the same size but they should be attractively grouped. Play around with the arrangement on the floor until you find a layout that you like. Trace an outline of each frame on a piece of paper and cut it to size. This will give you a template to work with before you commit to putting nails in the wall. Tape each sheet of paper to the wall with masking tape until you find the arrangement that suits you. Then replace the paper with each framed photo. Don’t forget to check the back of each frame and allow for the distance from the top of the frame to the hanger.
2. Create some dimension with metal wall art or even a favorite collection. Plates can be hung directly on a wall with individual plate hangers or metal wall art hangers that hold several plates at once. If you have a collection of small pottery, glassware or ceramics, they can be displayed on a wall shelf. The possibilities are endless, whether you collect brass elephants, ceramic roosters, or baseballs. Collections can be combined with framed art in the same theme and color group. They also make great conversation starters.
3. It’s not uncommon for the walls in a new home or apartment to be white. It’s easy to add color with paint. When choosing color, consider the furniture you are using and come up with a color scheme that you love. You can also add color with drapery. Blocks of color have the greatest impact; mount a rod just above the window trim and measure for panels that will go all the way to the floor. You can go with sheer center panels and cotton, silk or a blended fabric for the outer panels. For drapery to appear full and not skimpy, buy enough panels so that their width will be 2 ½ – 3 times the width of the window. If you have a wall with small windows, you can make them appear larger by hiding them behind full panels. Drapes also give you a surefire way of blocking a bad view and they add instant warmth and charm.
To make your new space feel like home you need an inspiration piece: It could be a pillow, a piece of pottery or china, a rug, a lamp, etc. It should have the colors and style that you are trying to capture. Always have color chips, fabric swatches and inspirational pieces with you when you shop.
Then, put up only what you truly love. If you don’t love it, why have it? Secondly, less is more. A few well-chosen pieces make more impact than a lot of unrelated clutter that doesn’t live up to your inspiration.
Decorating specialist Alyssa Davis offers many more free and easy decorating ideas at Metal-Wall-Art.com – the place to go for unique contemporary wall art and metal wall art.
