Customizing your home

If you purchased a new home, chances are good that you’ve already had some input into the décor of your home, from the countertops in the kitchen to the color of the carpet.

With an existing home, you’re inheriting someone else’s taste in wall finishes, flooring and fixtures. Depending on the taste of the previous owner, you’ll either have very little to do or you’ll need to start from the ground up.

The good news is that a little paint or wallpaper can go a long way toward updating your new home. Thanks to the designer colors available at local home improvement stores and the ability to match any color in your home with computer mixing stations, paint is an inexpensive way to create a fresh look with very little labor. Don’t hesitate to be a little daring either… you can always paint over it if you don’t like the color or shade you selected.

In fact, home improvement stores are a great place to get ideas for your new homes. Many of them have designer kitchens you can look at along with the fixtures and hardware to match. Some even have helpful classes you can attend to learn how to put a professional designer’s touch to your décor for relatively little.

Another easy change to any room is lighting and window coverings. Ceiling and wall fixtures are very easy to replace with more appropriate or fashionable lighting. The instructions are usually very clear, even when putting in ceiling fans.

Window coverings are available from a number of sources, including home improvement stores. There’s plenty of choices, from traditional draperies to contemporary blinds. You can also order custom window treatments from area fabric stores.

Be sure that the décor choices you make are in keeping with the style of the home. Ornate fixtures, reminiscent of the Art Deco period, may look a bit off kilter in a contemporary home design. Conversely, furnishings from IKEA may not fit the look you’re trying to achieve with the craftsman style house you just purchased.

If your budget allows, you may want to seek the services of a professional design firm. Fortunately, there are many to choose from in the greater Colorado Springs area.

Whatever you do, take your time. There’s no need to rush décor and design decisions. Live in the space for a while. Visit home improvement stores and go to local home shows that display new ideas and innovations. Subscribe to a few home design magazines or watch a remodeling show on TV. You never know where inspiration will come from.

When in doubt, hire the experts!

Whether it’s new curtains, remodeling a bath or building an addition, we have some of the most talented vendors in the Western United States. And why not? Many of the best designers and contractors in the country call Colorado Springs home for the same reasons that attracted you to our community.

Just let us know what type of work you want done around the house, and we’ll get you the name of a great vendor.