HGTV.comHGTV.com

Let the Decorating Begin!

Six tips to get you started on outfitting your first home

By Laura McDonald, ASID
Moving into your first house is a liberating, landmark life passage, so after you have freed yourself of your college futon and your roommate's attempt at fine art, it's time to come up with a plan for turning your empty shell of a house into an inviting home. Here are six tips to get you started.
Click here for a larger image
Clean house before you move in.
Next: Decide which room to decorate first.
Even before you make an offer on a new place, get ahead of the game by starting the most important process: "clean house." This critical first step will not only make your current digs easier to pack up, but it will put you miles ahead during move-in.

Be strong and rid yourself of anywhere from 25%-50% of your old stuff: wobbly furniture in the attic, faulty appliances in the garage, questionable accessories you received as gifts. This is the perfect time to start over. Pare down your accumulated possessions to the minimal amount. Have a garage sale, auction it off on eBay or donate it to charity. You’ll be amazed at what you won’t miss.



Clean house before you move in.

Decide which room to decorate first.

Don't buy everything all at once.

Resist the urge to match.

Use color to tie everything together.


Solve practical problems inexpensively.
HGTV.com
Services Popular Content About
Our Sister Sites

Comparison Shop for Home Decor & Garden Tools at Shopzilla & BizRate

UpMyStreet and uSwitch.com provide UK comparison services.

© 2008 Scripps Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.