Looking at decor stuff BEFORE you bought the home.

Did you do this?

I keep looking around, trying to get a feel for what I like or don't like, as far as colors, and furniture. I figure it will make things less overwhelming down the line.

However, did you wait until you bought your home to really decide on a theme?

For example, if you bought a house near the water, would your decor taste change to a beach them? or, if you bought in a historical section of a town, with a pre-war home, would you go for a more "stately" theme?

I'm not going to go out and buy tons of stuff or anything, I just am curious as to how people do this.

can you tell i'm a big planner?

Re: Looking at decor stuff BEFORE you bought the home.

What I would be doing is looking at books, magazine, pieces of fabrics, wrapping paper, tissue paper etc. Get an idea of pattterns and colors you like and use that for inspiration. Go to TJ Maxx and marshalls and putr some stuff on layaway/ I would decorate to my taste so if I bought an oilder home I would probably do a classic eclectic look. If I bought a house near the beach I would probably do a shabby chic theme with some beachy accents

Re: Looking at decor stuff BEFORE you bought the home.

We looked at magazines because we were doing a major gut job so we re-did everything on the 1st floor except the bathroom (future project). But as far as decor items, I still haven't looked at anything and probably won't until we completely finish the renovations

Re: Looking at decor stuff BEFORE you bought the home.

I would def. shop around, but I wouldn't buy anything before I moved into the house. Your taste might change because of the style of the house. But def. get a sense of what you like, what you style is, maybe even colors you like. Go and get some paint chips for inspiration of color. GL! I'm a planner too, so I understand.

Re: Looking at decor stuff BEFORE you bought the home.

I have my ENTIRE house decorated in a photo file on my computer lol. My taste keeps changing though so I add and delete all the time.

Once you see the house you will buy, your decisions might change a bit, but it can't hurt to look.

Re: Looking at decor stuff BEFORE you bought the home.

I bought some things before we moved in but most of the stuff we got was after we closed. I wanted to be in the house and have a feel for how I wanted to decorate it. Both DH and I came from living in our parents houses, so we literally started from scratch.
The majority of the things in the house were bought after we moved in.

Re: Looking at decor stuff BEFORE you bought the home.

I totally looked before we bought.

However, the longer we've been there, the more my style has evolved and Ive learned what I love and what works for me in my home.

We are almost 5 years in and I am starting to redecorate the rooms to what Ive learned I love. They started out that way, and the bones are there, but Ive honed it more since we been there and change paint colors and accessories to make it work.

I dont think my style would necessarily change based on the type of home. It would definitely be tweaked, unless it was extreme. For instance I wouldnt do ultra sleek and modern in a historical period home.

Re: Looking at decor stuff BEFORE you bought the home.

I do this constantly - definitely won't buy anything though until we buy the house. We have been renting a house from my dad and stepmom for roughly 4 years so I have a pretty good idea of what decor I like (I love cottage-ish quaint/country type of decor) BUT I also know if I but a house it might be a total re-do to make it that way so we shall see...