How to Decorate My New Home | Welcome to Better

If you’re a first-time homeowner still looking at empty rooms and blank walls and wondering how to fill your new space, we’ve got 3 interior design tips for beginners to decorate your home with beautiful, personalized style you’ll love coming home to!

1. Don’t Go Overboard With Decorating

The biggest mistake a lot of people make is overdoing it with their home décor. When in doubt, less is more.

Remember that you can add in decorative elements over time, so start small and gradually fill the space if you need to (this is easier on your budget, too).

If you can’t choose between several of your favorite design pieces, follow these rules:

Stick to 2–3 colors in a room (such as white, grey, and gold accents)
Opt for understated wall and table décor (stick to odd-numbered amounts)
Don’t overcrowd the space with furniture

Cream and Brown Owner's Suite

2. Choose a Focal Point for the Room

Each room should draw the eye to one centralized focal point—like a piece of art.

Choose something like an accent wall, a large plant (fake or real), a metallic chest of drawers, or a faux fur throw.

Or, if you’re feeling confident, choose a couple of these that work together!

Bedroom With Floral, Modern Wallpaper and Metallic Accents

If you’re decorating an open-concept space in your home, carry colors and themes from the kitchen through to the living room and dining area for a cohesive look.

Open-Concept First Floor With Blue Decorative Elements

3. Stick With Your Favorite Decorating Style

If you don’t know what your interior decorating style is yet, stop what you’re doing and get that settled first!

Once you know which design style is best for you, create room boards on Pinterest and Houzz by searching the name of your style preference.

Reference these inspiration photos as you shop and pair pieces together, scaling each piece to your room's size.

Loft Home Office

A parting bonus tip: feel free to break a rule once in a while if it’s something that truly brings you joy. Make sure you’re happy with everything you chose and feel at home in every room. Happy decorating!

Dan O'Malley

Author

Dan O’Malley is the Vice President of Product Development for M/I Homes.With over 30 years of expertise in residential architecture and design, Dan has been overseeing the product needs of the company's 16 divisions located throughout the Midwest, Southeast, Nashville and Texas for the past 12 years. Before joining M/I Homes, he was a partner in the Chicago office of BSB Design, a national residential architectural firm, for 14 years. Dan is an expert in all aspects of single-family and multifamily design and has received several awards for his successful projects. He is also a popular speaker at various industry events, including the International Builder’s Show, Midwest Builder’s Show, and Multi-Housing World.