August 1 is quickly approaching, and that means it's time to move into your new place! You've scoured the web to find every possible listing, you've sat through dozens of exhausting tours, you've practically given the broker your first-born child, and now your dream place is finally yours! Now what? How do you get your new pad to reflect who you are without breaking the bank? With the overabundance of pins, home magazines, and fool-proof ideas, decorating can seem extremely overwhelming. The most important thing to remember when decorating and organizing your new place is that there is no right way to decorate. The following is merely a list of ideas designed to get your creative juices flowing, so please do not hesitate to let your individuality run wild.

1. know yourself
The first and foremost thing to keep in mind when decorating your new place is to know yourself. Ask yourself what your favorite season is. This question will give you some insight into what you are drawn towards and what you might find appealing in your space. Design your rooms with this in mind by pulling colors, fabrics, and shapes that would be at home in your favorite season. For me, I love everything about winter. Maybe I love winter because of the countless shades of grey the city takes on, or the cozy feeling of curling up next to the fire with some good coffee, or maybe, it's the possibility of a snow day in Central Park with my besties. Whatever the reason, I can't get enough of the frigid temps and muted color-palate of a city winter. In my design, I utilize darker, industrial colors, comfortable linens, and simple black-and-white fashion photography to keep me motivated and inspired. After asking yourself these questions, you'll be well on your way to making your dream design a reality. 

2. identify a focal point
As I thoroughly explained in my post, Turning Accessories into Focal Points, choosing a clear focal point is the most important part of building a successful outfit. This technique can be used here as well! Whether it's an artsy tapestry, a unique vase, or a bold comforter, make sure to choose something that speaks to you and your personality. After you've found that special something, choose colors and pieces that complement and/or offset your focal point. 

3. simplicity > extravagance
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a brilliant French writer and poet, once stated: "perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." Keep this in mind when you're on your third Home Goods run of the day. It may be tempting to add 10 decorative pillows or four drawing mannequins, but remember what D.A.R.E. taught you, "JUST SAY NO!"   

4. keep it manageable
It is easy to accrue useless clutter when designing spaces, so don't forget to keep your space manageable and simple. Give yourself a leg-up on your spring cleaning by only adding essential elements into your design. If the item isn't your focal point or isn't serving a purpose, do you really need it in your space? 

5. moving forward
Last but certainly not least, don't forget to revisit your design in a few months to see if changes need to be made. Ask yourself questions like: what can I take out? has my focal point changed? am I still enjoying my space? is my space easily cleanable? If you see any disconnect in your answers, make some simple changes, and continue to revisit your space frequently.

Don't forget that your space is just that, yours! Do with it what you want and never limit your creativity! Thanks for reading, and as always, don't forget to comment or email me if you have any questions or comments!

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