Where to Start When Decorating a Room

Wondering when decorating a room where do you start? This beginner-friendly guide walks you through how to start decorating a room, step by step.

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Welcome to Simply Decorating—a brand-new decorating series created just for you! If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “when decorating a room, where do you start?” or “how do I even begin to decorate a space?”, you’re in the right place.

This free DIY decorating resource is designed to help you take the guesswork out of the process and give you the confidence to create a home that reflects your personal style and truly works for the way you live.

Simply Decorating is your go-to decorating roadmap, filled with practical advice, easy-to-follow steps, and tried-and-true tips I use in my own home. Think of it like having your own pocket interior decorator—someone who’s just a click away whenever you need help solving a decorating challenge or making decisions that feel overwhelming.

I know one of the biggest reasons you come here to Worthing Court is because you want more than just a pretty home—you want a warm and welcoming space that feels like you. A place that makes you smile every time you walk in the door and that you’re proud to share with family and friends.

You don’t need a big budget or professional design experience to make that happen. You just need a clear starting point—and that’s exactly what you’ll find right here.

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This series will give you the know-how to make confident decorating decisions—without spending a dime on a design course. You’ll learn how to bring your ideas to life in a way that makes sense for your home, your budget, and your personal style.

We have a lot of ground to cover and I have lots and lots to share with you! It’s going to be a fun ride, so be sure to sign up to receive my emails so that you don’t miss a thing.

My post on how to style shelves is just one example of the many nitty-gritty details we’ll get into.

Today, we begin at the very start, the steps to decorating a room. We’ll focus on what to do before picking up a paintbrush or buying a piece of furniture.

How to decorate a room – the beginning

There is a systematic process for how to go about decorating a room and having a clear understanding of it will make all the difference in the world. 

For a successful outcome, you must have a good grasp of the space you’re working with a vision of what you aim to achieve.

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It’s crucial to assess the space accurately, understand your needs and desires, and gather inspiration.

These initial steps will be your guide to every decision you make, from selecting colors and fabrics to choosing the right furniture for your space, to selecting the final finishing touches.

• Assess the Current Space: Take a thorough look at the room as it currently is, noting what you like and what doesn’t work.

• Set Goals and Identify Needs: In a sense, this step isn’t much different than creating a design board that will help you visualize the outcome and will also help to keep you on task.

Do you need more seating or storage? Does your room need to do double duty?

For example: you may need your dining room to also function as an office, so you may choose a sideboard that can also act as a credenza.

• Identify the Mood: Since our environment has a big impact on how we feel, use 2 or 3 words to define the mood you want your room to have.

For example: cheerful, vibrant, energetic or calming, soothing, cozy.

• Gather Inspiration: Look for ideas in magazines, online, or from homes you admire. This can help clarify what colors, and layouts you prefer.

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• Make a Wish List: Brainstorm ideas for every possible element you may want. Budget or time constraints may not allow for every single thing you’d like to incorporate into your space, but you need to a least have a list to be able to prioritize their importance.

• Measure the Space: Ensure you have accurate dimensions of the room, which are critical for planning and purchasing.

• Set a Budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend on the project. Don’t forget to include the cost of diy supplies, such as paint, paint brushes, tarps, etc. Count on actually spending about 20% more than what items cost to allow for unexpected expenses or problems along the way.

Keep up with expenditures as you go on a spreadsheet so that you don’t experience the dreaded “we spent how much?” syndrome.

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