Your house can become the home of your dreams if you only keep these basics in mind

Your house can become the home of your dreams if you only keep these basics in mind by Sarita Handa
YOUR HOME is your life.
Whether it's an apartment or a mansion, it can become your dream home. But before you start decorating your house, you must have an understanding of who you are and what you want from your life. You should also know what your family wants from their home.
The idea is to become your own client, for whom you can step into the role of an interior designer, and then you are likely to stay focused on your priorities and budget. 1 The beginning: You can't have it all. Designing a house is like getting dressed every morning. You can love a dozen different styles, but you can't wear them all. With an array of products that create different style statements, it's important to stay focused on your needs and avoid losing your way.
2 Get started by listing the number of people who will be living in the house and what their specific needs and expectations from the space will be. Once you have listed these specifications, you need to prioritise, according to the budget available.
3 Simple is good. Keep your spaces as simple as possible. As soon as you walk in, you should be struck by the `wow factor' and the rooms should speak for themselves. Scale is a key to the success of your style. Avoid clutter and try using fewer things for greater impact. For instance, paintings or objects in different sizes can be displayed together for a greater visual impact. Don't group objects of the same size in any part of your house.
4 Rugs and carpets also offer the potential to give warmth, richness and substance to your living environment. Whether contemporary or traditional, choose carpets that go well with your décor. A smooth carpet has an architectural quality, while a shaggy pile contrasts brilliantly with ultra-modern pieces of furniture. Rugs and carpets are also a good choice when you want to muffle sound. You can also use brightly coloured kilims or flat woven rugs for casual living. 5 Change will prevent your rooms from looking stale.Cushions are available in varied colours and textures. These transform your interiors instantly, from a winter to summer or formal to informal look. 6 Walls can add texture and create scene setters. They are about creating surprises ­ paint them in deep colours and hang artworks or place sculptures against them for special effects.
Hang paintings at eye level. A living room looks warm with family pictures on the wall. These add-ons are the best way to express your personality in your home, so select your display with great care.
7 Curtains and blinds need to be considered not only for their impact on a room, but as a link to what is outside the window.
Use a window treatment that encourages light. The atmosphere should feel natural and healthy. Try different looks for different seasons.
In summer, hang heavy curtains to block the sunshine. In winter, use sheer curtains, open the windows and enjoy the inside-outside feel.
8 Play with fabrics. Fabrics are the core of every decorating scheme. Trust your instincts while choosing your fabrics. For windows, use light drapery that allows light to filter through.
For bedding, use plenty of pillows. You can use different sizes of pillows ­ two big squares, two rectangles and then two or three small different sizes to enhance your sleeping space.
9 Natural light plays an important role in keeping you cheerful.
Good lighting can have a direct influence on the mood of a room.
You can have various light sources and create pools of light exactly where you want them. Lamps can also be used as objects or artworks. Soft lighting with scented flowers and candles can add a romantic and relaxing touch to your interiors.
10 Go green. A spot of greenery in your living space can add freshness and create a pleasant feel. Indoor plants can add functional and aesthetic appeal. To pep up a corner, you can arrange plants according to their height in multiple semicircles, creating an interesting visual effect. Interesting little ornaments like masks and big planters can be added to liven up the space further.