Home Decorating For Dummies

Want to be your own decorator? Design on a dime with Dummies!

Home Decorating For Dummies packs all the information you need to know about décor into one easy-to-read source. Whether you want to decorate one room or make over the whole house, this book has everything you need to design like a pro. This is the only reference you’ll need to transform your home into a space you’ll love. Dummies offers no-nonsense help, so you can plan perfect projects and stay within budget. Updated with the latest on smart homes, short-term rentals, DIY décor, and more.

• Learn how to optimize your home’s floor plan
• Discover tricks for mixing patterns, colors, and textures successfully
• Refresh your home’s style without spending a fortune
• Decorate rental properties with eye-catching, trendy style
• Untangle the terms—mid-century modern, farmhouse, minimalism—and pinpoint your design style

For those seeking ideas, resources, and budget-wise tips to spark their decorating creativity, Home Decorating For Dummies is a must-have.

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Home Decorating 5

Chapter 1: Bringing Your Vision to Life 7

Chapter 2: Budgeting Your Projects 13

Chapter 3: Evaluating Your Space 23

Chapter 4: Thinking Like a Designer 39

Part 2: Creating Dimensions 53

Chapter 5: Experiencing Color 55

Chapter 6: Playing with Pattern 65

Chapter 7: Toying with Texture 77

Part 3: Perfecting Style 87

Chapter 8: Decorating with Timeless Styles 89

Chapter 9: Designing with Contemporary Styles. 105

Chapter 10: Developing Your Personal Style 113

Chapter 11: Finding Furniture 123

Part 4: Designing Backgrounds 135

Chapter 12: Enhancing Walls 137

Chapter 13: Finding Flooring 149

Chapter 14: Styling Ceilings 163

Chapter 15: Dressing Windows 175

Chapter 16: Livening Up Lighting 189

Part 5: Tackling Kitchens, Baths, Home Offices, and Media Rooms 207

Chapter 17: Cooking Up Dream Kitchens 209

Chapter 18: Beautifying Bathrooms 225

Chapter 19: Setting Up Work from Home 239

Chapter 20: Making the Most of Media Rooms 249

Part 6: Transforming Sleeping, Living, Dining, and Other Spaces 255

Chapter 21: Styling Bedrooms 257

Chapter 22: Enlivening Living Rooms 273

Chapter 23: Designing for Dining 289

Chapter 24: Transforming Bonus Spaces 305

Part 7: Putting on the Final Touches 319

Chapter 25: Arranging Art Artistically 321

Chapter 26: Accessorizing with Flair 335

Part 8: The Part of Tens 351

Chapter 27: Ten Tips for a Luxe Look 353

Chapter 28: Ten Tips for Small Spaces 359

Index 363

Katharine Kaye McMillan is a Behavioral Scientist/Decorating Lifestyle Coach. She helps people design solutions for home, life, and work. Patricia Hart McMillan is a nation­ally recognized interior designer, writer, and magazine editor. She has coauthored several books on interior design.

Design your dream domain

Whether you’re ready for a total home makeover or you just want to add a touch of style to your space, Home Decorating For Dummies has the no-nonsense tips you need. This guide helps you choose colors, flooring, furniture, accessories, and everything in between. Make your home (or the place you rent out!) into a stunning sanctuary. Thanks to the expert tips inside, you can tackle any decorating project, in any room. Create a high-end look on a budget, make the most of teensy apartments, and discover the decor look that’s really you.

Inside…

• The basics of interior decorating
• Budgeting design projects
• Mid-Century Modern, Farmhouse, and more popular decor styles
• Decorating tips for bathrooms, kitchens, dens, and beyond
• How to include artistic touches
• Tips for maximizing small spaces