Great Decorating Tips for Recent College Graduates

A great source for every aspect of decorating is magazines. Many magazines are dedicated to decorating on a budget or have columns dedicated to decorating and housekeeping. Magazines like Martha Stewart Living, Cottage Living Magazine, Domino and other home magazines often run articles on easy how-to’s and where to look for inexpensive finds.

After you start your research the next step is to get organized. A great gift to ask for your graduation is an organizer specifically for your new household. In this new organizer you can store measurements, paint chips, fabric swatches and pictures from discount magazines. Make sure you measure everything in your apartment or house thoroughly—windows, corners and walls. Then measure any furniture you already have. Make yourself a clear chart of your measurements and keep it on a portable device or in your organizer so it is handy when you go shopping.

Next, make a budget. Your research and organizing should include information on expenses so budgeting should be fairly simple. After you’ve researched, organized and budgeted, it is then time to start decorating. If you find that your budget is smaller than you’d hope, take a few months to bulk up your savings by setting aside a portion of your income specifically for decorating before you start decorating.

Finding an inspiration piece is an easy way to make decorating less overwhelming; an inspiration piece can be anything-- a piece of furniture, a favorite painting, a sentimental keepsake, a piece of clothing, or your favorite color. Build your room around this piece. Remember to incorporate a variety of colors, textures and materials. For more tips on decorating read magazines like O, the Oprah magazine, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living.

It is important to remember this is the time to develop your style. Whether you prefer sleek and hard lines of modern furniture, Shabby-chic or a menagerie of different styles, now is the time to learn about what you most like. Many home magazines offer tricks of the trade like how to hang window treatments, mirrors and strategically placed art pieces.

Remember, housekeeping and decorating are ongoing processes that take many years. There is no need to make impulsive decisions on paint color or furniture purchases. Do yourself a favor and find some magazine subscriptions like Real Simple magazine, www.redbook.com and Martha Stewart Living that will help you keep your housekeeping and decorating process in perspective.