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IF YOU’RE HOPING that 2021 will be the year you’re going to buy your first home, you might already be itching to start decorating. But when you don’t know what your new house will look like or what kind of floor plan you’ll have to accommodate, how can you start on the interior design?
Well, you can actually get a head start on the interior decorating process long before you have the keys in hand, whether you’ve got your eye on a show home or you’re just beginning your property search with a casual browse of the listings.
We discussed this very prospect with interior designer Eavan English, of eedi Studio in Kanturk, Co Cork, and she offered quite a few tasks you can enjoy even before you start the house hunt in earnest.
Here are her tips for getting a jump on the interior decorating of your first home — before you’ve even found one.
1. Get emotional to narrow down your colours and styles
When it comes to colour and style, English explains, the first step is to tap into your emotions.
“When you’re looking at room images, ask yourself what emotion you’re feeling.” Those emotions can help direct you to the style you want for your new home. “Start narrowing down the colours and spaces that make you feel good. Once you answer those questions, it should come easier to you.”
Whether you’re drawn to muted and natural colours of outdoor scenery, or prefer the sharper contrast of a cityscape, English suggests uploading a photo into an app like Color Viewfinder that will take an image and turn it into a colour palette you could use in your home.
2. Collect the looks you love
Traditional mood boards have gone from paper clippings to digital collections in the last decade, so English recommends using Pinterest boards to compile inspiration for your home. “Set it up by rooms and then by elements” such as lighting, accessories or rugs for each room, she says.
“It’s a great way to collect ideas,” explains English. “Once you’ve got them all pinned in, you can scroll through them and start comparing one against the other, then start to edit it.” If you have pinned 20 kitchen images, analyse what the recurring theme of those images is so you can start to narrow down your style preferences.
3. Start with small accessories
“In any home, it’s the small things that finish off the space and make it yours,” says English. She suggests investing in smaller accessories before you know where you’ll be living. “Things like lamps, collecting nice tools for the kitchen, because once you get the house they’re the last thing you’ll want to spend money on.”
Items like tabletop accessories and textiles are safe bets because they can suit any setting, “If you see a set of cushions that you like, buy them and invest in those things. They’re going to enrich any interior.”
4. But hold off on large furniture
Large furniture, however, should wait until you’ve purchased your home. “Hold off on the sofa, kitchen table, any big dimensional stuff, bulky things that take up space,” she says. Armchairs and smaller seating should fit in any future space: “If you spot a neat armchair that you like, go for it.”
She pointed out that most people no longer purchase a full three-piece suite, so collecting an armchair or two would still allow you to pick out the perfect sofa once you know how much space you’ll have. English did exactly this while she was preparing to move. “I have stuff from over the years – even when I was renting, I collected pieces of furniture.”
5. Collect artwork before you move in
Artwork is another category you can start collecting well before narrowing down your home search, advises English. “You might be saving for a home, but you could buy a print now in an art studio for not too much money and then you’ve got something to finish your interior.”
No matter what home you buy, you’re going to be able to use artwork, says English. “You’re going to have four bare walls – then you’ve got one nice focal thing on it.”
6. Only buy what you love
When you’re purchasing your first home, it might be the first time you’ve had a totally clean slate to furnish yourself and it can be tempting to try to fill it quickly. However, English pointed out that choosing furniture for your future home can be a slow process, “People tend to want to fill a first time home,” English says. “And then they surround themselves with cheap buys or things they’re buying to make do. But those can start to smother them.”
Instead, she recommended purchasing items you truly enjoy and appreciate. “Buy less, buy well. And question whether you really love an object before you purchase it.”
Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to settling into your first home.
At Glenveagh Homes, our vision is that everyone should have the opportunity to access great-value, high-quality homes in flourishing communities across Ireland. We understand that buying a home is possibly the biggest decision you will ever make in your life – but we want to make it your easiest. Click here to find out more about Glenveagh developments.
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He looks like Rolf Harris
Ha ha, never eating KFC again,
And one more thing, IMO why they don’t sell curry sauce is beyond me, that gravy is a poor substitute for curry with ur chicken
Paul, You beautiful man, you’re completely correct.
Their food is nasty anyway like, but the lack of curry sauce is unforgivable.
Their gravy was often the only reason for going there. I recall many the time going to KFC and coming out with fingers burned like they were in a hot bath full of chicken, half cooked fries and MSG…. mmm…
I only tell you one time. Don’t fcuk me Eric……. don’t you ever try to fcuk me!
Buzz off bozo the kfc gravy is nice !
Denis o brien wins again, and gets a gagging order against any reporting of his corruption……….discusss
No. But do you like kfc?
DojiFone Denis has more spicy state secrets up his sleeves than Colonel Rolf has had chicken dinners!!
Looks a bit like Rolf Harris
Id consider going to KFC again if they place was clean & the chicken was hot!
Or if they started having nice food
A fella was telling me that his son had his head wrecked to take him to McDonalds so he told him “if you can spell McDonalds ill take ye” so the young fella said ” ah fu.k it we’ll go to KFC
Hillbillys in Cork after a feed of pints.Nothing KFC has to offer even comes close.
I’ve been to the Hillbillys in Fairview a few times. Decent stuff.
And they have curry sauce.
If I want to wrap my mouth around breasts, legs & thighs, I’ll have a night in. Cheers Colonel.
So how you getting on since ya moved back in with your ma?
Good now. Your sis feels right at home too.
I dont have any sisters… but I have a fat brother, could be him?
Eat it in bray a few years ago and never again it was awful
Have to agree…absolutely revolting it was.However,you should try the one in blanch,it’s a bit better.
I hate parking in the retail carpark beside kfc. The smell is nice for about 2 seconds and then fell sick from the smell.
Hope you didn’t hit your head when you fell .
Anytime I go to McDonald’s its packed dont see it slowing down
Its nigella they need not a Rolf Harris lookalike.
The food gives you ebola side effects
No taco fries, no business.
I genuinely read that headline as “KFC is bringing back chicken” haha then I thought, that will never happen
That’s definitely Ronan Collins…….
Tiny little chickens killed, plucked, covered in spicy batter and crumbs and deliciously gobbled up.
Or chickens with no eyes or feathers being genetically processed in a lab, there’s a few documentaries about it. Horrid stuff
Is it really wise to use someone who looks like a white plantation owner from over a century ago to promote chicken in a basket (or is modern alternative)?
All that’s missing is the salty melon balls!
Best of them, all unhealthy but KFC is the best tasting, some of their outlets need a good cleaning, the operators need to be better supervised by KVC, I walked out of Bundoron last year because it was not near clean, I have always found Athlone great
The one in Carrick-on-Shannon is the best I’ve seen. Spotless, and the girl there remembered my order as I passed though (for work) every few days.
They kept him alive with 11 secret herbs and spices
Everythg in bray Is shttttt mc Donald’s Eddie spocrketts it’s un believable shtt
Go to Dundrum taste like the ritz
He’s looking alright for a man that was on ice for 20 years
They can resurrect the messiah for all I care. I still will never eat in that kip
Hillbillys pisses all over KFC… All der missing from der menu is the hot wings an unlike KFC they’re nearly too generous with the chips.. New one on Walkinstown roundabout is tops
He won’t be around long with a cough like that
HACCP comes to mind then, extra flavouring?
That’s one of the worst ads I’ve ever seen, worse than McD’s new Hamburglar. That eejit playing the Colonel gave me the creeps.
Looks like a creepy Rolf Harris
Eric fail KFC
Wasn’t he an awful racist?
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