1. Draw a floor plan of the space:

It is very easy and simple. A floor plan allows you to choose where you will place every furniture, to install the proper lightning, to estimate how much paint you will need for the painting… Make a simple sketch – outline of the space maintaining the scale, after you measure the length of walls and frames. Then keep notes on your floor plan with the following information: Ceiling height Window position, height and width. Door height, width, opening mechanism and mechanism orientation. Space orientation: northern – southern – eastern or western. Socket and switch supply, heater and air-conditioning position and the presence of piping or sewage. And finally the structural architectural characteristics such as: arches, niches, beams, sloping ceilings, etc.

2. Choose the color palette:

Limit the number of colors which you are asked to choose by applying one color scheme in the entire space. There are four basic types of color schemes: neutral, monochromatic, harmonious and complementary. You can try a different color scheme to each room or apply the same everywhere in order to ensure a sense of continuation at home.

The neutral scheme is based on the absence of bright colors and it includes colors such as white, beige, cream, gray and brown. This combination results in making the space natural. The monochromatic scheme requires the selection of a single color and its application in different shades (lighter or darker).

The harmonious chromatic scheme consists of colors which belong to the same climatic group (cold – warm). For example, blue and green, yellow and orange or pink and purple. This is suitable for every space as it has no contrasts and thus it is very pleasant for everyday living.

Finally there is the complementary scheme which is responsible for the most impressive decorative effects. In this case, we use one or more colors in combination with its complement. For example, red and green, yellow and purple, blue and orange and of course all of its shades.

3. Do a market research

After you have chosen your color palette and the scheme you wish to follow, do a research on the materials and objects that you need based on the colors of your choice such as curtains, wall or furniture tapestry (fabrics), furniture, lamps and useful or decorative objects. You can renew some of the furniture you already have by painting or coating them with some materials. Get small samples of these materials from the stores and take pictures of the furniture, the lamps and the objects.

4. Create a mood board

A mood board is the surface (usually made by thick cardboard) on which we place all the sample wall colors (chromatic palette), the fabric samples by curtains or pillows, wall tapestry, floor material (carpet, wood, tile, etc.), images by furniture and decorative objects we already have or wish to have. This is the safest way to create immediately the most realistic image of the final result. And this is also the opportunity to change something that you do not like, to add or remove something and in general, to refine your choices so far.

5. Reach a result and make the purchases:

After the changes, the additions and your overall study, you are ready for your final purchases. Sometimes all materials, fabrics, furniture and lamps are not ready for delivery so you will have to order them.

6. Choose the application workers:

Now that you have gathered all your materials you are ready for the final application to the spaces you have chosen to transform. You will have to find the necessary crew or craftsman for each application. You can seek help in the electronic directories of professionals or the yellow pages. And you can of course count on your personal work, if you have the knowledge or the mood.

7. Apply your choices:

The performance of the applications may be the hardest part of the decoration process. You must direct the craftsmen in order to achieve the exact result you had imagined. You have to respect their experience but insist on the desired result. Ask them to make some application samples to the space so that you will be sure of the outcome. Good luck!