We asked experts what to prioritize when decorating a new home.
Top to-dos include hanging curtains, rolling out a rug, and more.
You don’t have to have your curtains chosen and delivered, but make accommodations for something temporary.
Credit:Dane Tashima / Interior Design: Grant K. Gibson
There are even paper ones that I use regularly, she says.
Put a little extra effort into high-impact decor in thepowder roomor whichever bathroom visitors will use.
Ensure the outdoor lighting is sufficient and welcoming, too, and consider a planter.
Newly covered walls also make a home feel instantly fresh and personal.
Try not to overthink initial color or pattern choices.
Group like items and pause before putting things away, looking at everything with fresh eyes.
Add Mood Lighting
Lighting is keyfor both function and ambience.
Jackson advocates installingdimmer switchesthroughout.
Installing them is a fine project for careful and confident DIYers.
(If thats not you, call a handyperson or electrician.)
And think in terms of lighting layers, looking for opportunities to add accent and task lighting throughout.
Theyre hard to move around and easy tosize incorrectly.
To help with both issues, use painters tape to outline where theyll be before unrolling.
She recommends setting pieces within view on the floor in the rooms you envision them hanging.
Set time on the calendar about a month after move-in to start hanging.
This goes for everything, including furniture, artwork, and organizing helpers.
Nurture Plants
Addingplants throughout the homecreates a warm, cozy environment, McDonald says.
Set them on sills, stands, and shelves wherever natural light streams in.
Move them around as needed until you discover where they thrive.
Her favorite tip: Mounting a glass shelf across a window over the kitchen sink for plants or herbs.
Its such a small thing, but it makes a big difference.
