Interior Design

Are you looking for a new decor style to use in your home? If you're like many people, you know what you like - and don't like - when you see it, but you may have struggled to tie your home decor into an appealing style. Without a general direction, you can end up with a collection of elements gathered over the years that don't seem to complement each other or create a cohesive look. Whether that's the case or you'd simply like a change from your current style, it may be time for a refreshed look.

Our real estate agents suggest the following tips to help you find the best decor style for your home:

• Look Inside Your Closet
  Check your closet and identify your favorite clothing items and accessories. What do you like to wear when you want to brighten your mood or when you have a special occasion to dress for? Look for some common elements - such as colors, fabrics, and patterns - that you normally find attractive. And take a look at items you avoid wearing and try to figure out why. Consider your general style. Do you prefer bold, flashy looks or more neutral colors and classic styles? Even the types of fabrics you like can serve as inspiration for items like pillows and draperies.
  
  
• Create a Vision Board
  Look through a variety of magazines without limiting yourself to home decor publications. Check out photos of all types, including those representing nature, fashion, jewelry, and more. Use them in a vision board and consider what appeals to you about each image. For example, if you have a photo of leaves, does their color appeal to you? What about their shape or texture? Do they have curved lines or straight lines? Each photo can give you cues about what design elements you find most appealing.
  
  
• Take a Few Online Quizzes
  There's an online quiz on just about every topic, so it should come as no surprise that a large number of websites have quizzes that will help you determine what home decor style you prefer. If you Google "interior design quizzes," you'll find lots of ones to try. Not only are these types of quizzes fun, but they also may surprise you and give you insights into your style preferences that you may not have expected. In addition, you'll be able to get some home design buzzwords - such as "industrial" or "boho" - that you can further research to find specific looks and pieces.
  
  
• Weigh in on the Home Decor Items You Already Have
  Look at your current home decor items with a critical eye. Are there things that you love? Think about what it is about them that appeals to you. On the other hand, identify items that you just don't like. What is it that you find unappealing about them? As an added bonus, this step lets you eliminate some of your home decor items that just aren't working for you since you can sell or donate those things that you dislike. This also gives you the space to bring in more elements that suit your new style.
  
  
• Consider Your Home's Current Atmosphere
  How does your home's current atmosphere feel? Is it warm and homey? Or maybe you have a modern, minimalist vibe going? Are there areas of your home that make you happy and others that make you feel bored or stressed out? Whatever you have, determine the mood it projects and figure out if that's still what you're going for, but with new decor items. Or you may decide you want to change the mood of your space entirely.
  
  
• Give Your Style a Name
  Many, if not most, people have an ideal style that encapsulates elements of several different styles. This often works best since, although specific styles can provide inspiration, you may not like every element of any single style. Fortunately, there's no need to lock yourself into one look and follow its recommendations to the letter. Look at the information you've gathered and any patterns you can identify and come up with a fun description of your style. That way, as you consider different elements to bring into your home, you can ask yourself if they fit in well with your self-named style.
  
  
• Start Small
  Decorating an entire home or even a room can seem overwhelming. Start with a small space in your home, such as a shelf or end table, and gather and arrange some objects that reflect your newly defined style. Live with them for a week or two, and if they're still appealing to you, start spreading the style throughout your room and home. If you find the style less attractive than you'd hoped, redo some of the previous steps to help further define your home decor style.

Contact us if you'd like to see homes for sale so you can have a fresh start in discovering the best decor style. Whether you're looking for a home to buy, are ready to sell your home, or both, we're ready to help! 

Halloween decorating is a fun fall activity for the whole family, but it can also get a little bit competitive among neighbors. Whether you're planning a party or just looking to spook the neighborhood trick-or-treaters, our real estate agents created this guide of Halloween decorating tips to help you create the most mystifying home on the block. 

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There are countless reasons to start upcycling furniture and no real downside. It saves you money, it keeps old furniture out of the landfill, and it also happens to be a lot of fun. That's what our real estate agents call a win-win. 

Of course, it can also be hard to know where and how to get started when you're a newcomer to the whole idea of upcycling. How do you go about transforming old, worn-out furnishings into something new and exciting? For that matter, where does one even find this stuff? 

Getting Started with Upcycling

For a lot of upcycle newbies, one of the biggest challenges is finding furniture and decor to start working on. Sure, you can always keep an eye out for thrown-out furniture on the curb, but that's not very consistent. And of course, if you have an attic or garage full of old decor, you don't have to look very far at all. For the rest of us, one of the best places to find furniture to upcycle is the internet. Platforms like Freecycle, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace offer endless opportunities to get your hands on free (or extremely cheap) goods that are ripe for revamping. Once you have an item you wish to upcycle, follow these steps.

• Do Your Prep Work
  One of the most important steps to upcycling any piece of old furniture or decor is preparation. Make sure you have all the tools and materials you need in advance and don't rush the job. Sanding off the old layer of paint or stain on an item is always a good idea. Perhaps most important of all, make sure you give the item a good, thorough cleaning before you start repainting. You don't want your paintbrushes getting clogged up with dirt and cobwebs. 
  
  
• Be Imaginative 
  In a lot of cases, upcycling means looking beyond an object's original use. Got an old wooden ladder lying around? Think about turning it into a trellis for your climbing vines. How about an old dresser? The drawers can be transformed into anything from hanging shelves to planter boxes. If you're in need of inspiration, there are some fantastic Pinterest boards out there that are chock full of upcycling ideas. If you have some old wood pallets or mason jars, there are endless projects you can use them for.
  
  
• Be Respectful of Furniture's Origins
  While it's always great to let creativity run wild, sometimes it's also important to respect the original style of a piece and the era it comes from. This is especially true with furniture. For example, an antique American Colonial-style desk is simply not going to look good with a funky coating of chalk paint. Try to be conscious of upcycling furniture in a way that complements its original style. 

• Invest in Quality Tools
  Whatever tools, materials, and accessories you use for revamping old decor and furniture make sure they're good quality. Use high-end paint, and shell out a few extra bucks for the good brushes. After all, the actual items you're painting were probably free, so you can budget a little extra on other materials to ensure a better end product.
  
  
• Choose Well-Made Furniture
  It's also a good idea to make sure the items you're attempting to upcycle are of good quality, even if they need a little love and attention to get them back in good working condition. Older furniture tends to be better made, as a general rule. Avoid newer, mass-produced pieces that are made from chipboard or composite board. That stuff is basically glorified cardboard, and it just doesn't hold up in the long run.
  
   
• Experiment with Styles, Materials, and Techniques
  There are endless options when it comes to paints, stains, and other materials you can use. Give yourself permission to be bold, use your imagination, and mix materials and styles. Chalk paint is good for beginners. Try combining fabric with a painted surface to see what you can achieve. Experiment with sanding paint after it dries is good for a distressed look, and have fun creating patterns with stencils. Nobody gets it right 100% of the time. Sometimes, you have a vision for how you think a piece of upcycled furniture will look, and it just doesn't pan out. That's okay! There's always next time. Try to practice on some low-stakes pieces, so you're free to make mistakes before tackling big projects you're really invested in. 

Planning for a Move?

Upcycling isn't just a good way to get new furniture, it's also a great way to get rid of your own unwanted furniture. If, for example, you're planning on moving in the near future, letting some of your old furniture go to others for upcycling is a great way to give it a second life while eliminating clutter in your home. 

Contact us today to learn more about upcycling and how it's a great way to either pare down your belongings before selling a home or fill your living space with creativity when you've just bought a new home. 

In a seller's market, such as we have today, sellers might feel like they can skip some steps before listing their home. After all, sellers are getting their asking prices, aren't they? But is that the only thing to consider? Our real estate agents know staging your home is important in any real estate market. Here's why. 

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Sometimes the smallest change can make all the difference in the world. And if you've spent as much time at home in the last year as we have, chances are you're ready for a change!

Our real estate agents are here to help. These interior design tricks can make a huge visual impact and seemingly transform your space. They're also simple, affordable, and require a minimal investment of time and effort. Happy decorating!

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Fashions in interior design come and go. When getting ready to list your home, you might be tempted to try the latest trends to help make your home stand out from other listings. But sometimes, those trends can have the opposite effect. If you're planning on selling your New England home, our REALTORS® can help you sort through fads and nail down the fashions as you get your home ready for the market. 

Here are some timely warnings about what to avoid. 

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