10 Home Decorating Rules that changed my life!

[@thediymommy]

Check out my new Canva Mood Board Templates & Mini Course: thediymommy.com/canva-mood-board-templates-mini-course

[@vickinoeske1154]

I've been decorating homes a long time, but it's good to know that most decor rules never change. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks.

[@thediymommy]

Absolutely!! Thanks for watching.

[@jaclyngannon7436]

I’ve gotten a few raised eyebrows from friends recently after turning my mostly grey living room into a blue and green space. This totally makes me feel justified in my “crazy colours”! I mean, I love it, so that’s the most important thing, but the fact that there’s actually a reason behind why it works makes me happy.

[@thediymommy]

Exactly - if it brings you joy that's what matters! And hooray for using an analogous colour scheme; it's one of my favourites. :)

[@vaderladyl]

Crazy colors? That is actually a very nice, classic combination.

[@richardlynngarst3728]

I love color and my house reflects this so well. One of my zoom business meetings was pretty well derailed after someone commented on my dining room- walls are a deep red sand color and I have sand paintings and artwork that brings the varying shades of turquoise and sand colors to the forefront. My bil absolutely hates these colors but as I remind him, I love the colors and it is my house, not his. (After 36 years I am allowed to get snarly with him) - Lynn

[@59564]

We don’t worry about raised eyebrows. It makes you happy and I know it’s peaceful and beautiful!

[@lenoraberendt750]

Gray is dull and boring. Green and blue are lovely colors. Great decision!

[@elizabethharalson7903]

My blue on blue BOHO style bedroom is my hip style ( I'm 66yo, just an old gypsy artist type)It's the most comfortable space , like a cocoon. Don't listen to negative people when you know that feeling of contentment.

[@sg-vp2qg]

I've been renovating a small house on my own for some time now and made a mood board on a piece of cardboard a few years ago. I don't look at it very often, but when I do it's astounding how closely the home aligns with those original ideas. (I am hoping the ideas are relatively timeless and continue to feel and look lovely for years to come.)

[@MyFocusVaries]

Great tips, so well laid out. Thanks. I can attest that it's worth testing paint in the room. A friend LOVED our kitchen colour and wanted it for her son's room. We convinced her to borrow some leftover paint to test a patch. What looked liked crisp apple green in our otherwise white, south facing kitchen looked like swampy mud monster in her north facing bedroom with wood floors.

[@merryhunt9153]

Here are two color ideas that few people mention. 1. Go with your favorite color. One color comes in so many tints, shades and hues that it will give you plenty of choice. 2. Choose colors that make you look attractive. If you would never wear a color in a garment, don't put it on your walls.

[@DrMaryVision]

This video was perfection. Thorough, but not too in-depth. It’s always a good sign when I don’t skip through the video because the points are sometimes too repetitive on other channels 😅. One thing that I learned many years ago: you can get a lighter version of a paint color by asking for 50% (or 25% which is even lighter) at the paint store. It is repeatable and sometimes the paint chips aren’t quite what I need, but oh so close! Also you can vary the same hue (?) in adjacent spaces depending on the amount of light, sun etc , which is less scary than adding another entire color for us amateurs!

[@thediymommy]

That's a great tip. Thank you so much!

[@ladylioness4065]

Wow this is good information thank you

[@amakisi]

That was helpful. Thanks for sharing!

[@J_bui]

Really great idea sampling the paint first because each room will have it’s lighting angles and feel.

[@TheSushmaHomeSellingTeam]

I definitely agree with rule number 4. Color palette has a huge role for your entire home decor. Aside from distinction, it can immediately set up the mood for you and you guest. 💖💖

[@wilhelmina8843]

Great tips. If you could make your check marks in green instead of red, I think this would give less mixed signals.

[@andreawales1938]

Thank you for the tips in this video! The only thing I would change would be using green checkboxes and checks instead of red. Green says, "Go!" Red says, "Stop!"

[@carolentringer8836]

1. Use properly scaled furniture and art pieces. 2. Make decor feel balanced with visual weight. 3. Repeat elements to feel cohesive. (about 3 times) 4. Choose a color scheme. 60% walls, 30% other, 10% accents 5. Choose a variety of texture - smooth, furry, nubby 6. Choose a focal point. 7. Create a floor plan on paper or computer to lay out furniture placement. 8. Source from a variety of places. 9. Details: cohesive metals knobs, hinges, hooks. 10. Sample paint on the walls. 2 ft by 2 ft minimum - look at it for a couple of days before committing.

[@JohnnieJoseph-c7k]

You're the best. I now understand clearly how to put my home together. Thanks for your help.

[@AleksJ541]

Painting the samples on a piece of bristol board is SUCH a good idea! Less damaging/permanent to the walls, and you can label the paints so that you won't forget which is which (like I usually do haha!) Thanks for the great tip!

[@katrinaassoumou6400]

I love all of you and your husbands designs. Thank you both for sharing these videos with us. Keep up the great team work. Amen

[@thediymommy]

Thank you so much!

[@TheNiftyNester]

I'm always inspired by how much you've leveled up over the years! With time and practice, we can do it all 😊

[@thediymommy]

That's right! Thanks so much!

[@bettyangellanakgudde5547]

This is so touching and it helps me. 💗🤧

[@kbailey3238]

You are glowing my lovely. Loving your jumper too, great colour. Thank you for the tips. Still trying to gain confidence!

[@doubledragon9530]

We are renovating our 1975 ranch home, basically winging it ourselves, and finding a kitchen cabinet planner like IKEA planner was a game changer. It sounds like your "mood board" approach is what I've been needing for the rest of the design. Thank you, glad I stumbled on this vid!

[@heidibee476]

Been watching your channel for years, and this is in my top 5 favorite vids of all time! So informative - and we all know your methods are true because they're TRIED! You have worked so hard - just awesome. Thank you!

[@thediymommy]

Wow, thank you!

[@dot2dal]

Very thoughtful and helpful comment!

[@jebageorge4741]

Thanks! Great tips! Your rooms look better and better! Would love to see a video on how to pick the right paint color… whole house color palette … accent walls..etc

[@thediymommy]

Great suggestion!

[@Sally-nse2]

Oh yes please that’s a great idea.👍

[@virginiasoskin9082]

Well, that is kind of difficult because of individual homes, how much light comes into a room, which direction the room faces, etc. A room facing west will get the hot bright sun in the afternoon. A room with a northern exposure will need to be lighter and brighter because the sun won't really hit that window at all. Accent walls are on the way out, so plan on all four walls of a room the same color. Paint colors also depend on what furniture you have and what its colors are. Are you going to keep that sofa, save for a new one or reupholster the current one, or even use slipcovers? Make sure the paint color looks good with existing furnishings unless you plan to buy others. The style of the home also plays a role. If it is a Craftsman bungalow there are lines of colors to mix and match by all the paint manufacturers that are true to that esthetic. If it is colonial, ditto. Midcentury modern homes often used brighter colors -- remember those harvest gold appliances? Melamine dishware in bright solids or space age-y patterns.....for awhile my Mom had a melamine set of dishes -- half were earthy coral and the other half was deep turquoise. We had aluminum glasses in all the colors of the rainbow -- remember those? Look at pinterest for color palette ideas, print them out and make a mood board.

[@IrisGarza-u8c]

This was the most helpful home decorating video I've ever seen. Thank you for this. I will be saving it and referring back to it over and over!

[@anneblenkhorn5258]

I agree with how important it is to see the paint colour in the room you plan to paint. We recently painted our house and the colour I thought I wanted was Benjamin Moore October mist. But when we painted a sample on our walls it looked much darker than the chip. So we went one shade lighter with their vale mist and it is just what I wanted.

[@thediymommy]

Glad you tested it out! Yes, I often find that paint looks a lot darker on my walls too.

[@emiliebova]

I would add a tip. Watch lots of KZbin videos of high end interior designers. That will give you a real feel for creating beautiful living spaces. Interior design is an amazing art.

[@atjennysplace]

Great tips. Have loved watching your interior decorating talents grow. Thanks for sharing

[@thediymommy]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@janrankin2457]

Thank you for simplifying decorating. With my home I have too much stuff. I am going to put to work all your ideas by having a plan of color, removing what doesn't look right and move forward. What might work for me is to take pictures before I start and during the process. It will be a slow process, I'm not in a big rush at all. Have a wonderful day.

[@bonnieinnocentini7587]

Congratulations on your mood board course! I love when I hear a person has been able to make their dreams come true. I love your videos!!

[@thediymommy]

Thank you so much!!

[@happy_bubble7]

Oo I like the 60-30-10 rule, ty. I love that teal green and rose combo, also.

[@instilltime2014]

Clear and helpful advice on how to tackle any decorating project.So well thought out! Many thanks!

[@leannemitchem8865]

Loads of great tips. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@jerurenteria325]

The red CHECK MARKS are throwing me off! Haha! I don’t know if it is a Go or Don’t do it

[@kanases]

Great rules to abide by! I have learned a lot from watching you and others on u-tube, really is an eye opener to see how easy things can go wrong!

[@jkp62]

I have used blue as my “foundation” color throughout my 41 years of marriage, green and rust are accent colors, my background (walls) is always an off white, for the past 10 years SW Creamy has been painted in every room- walls, ceilings and trim due to having a small home with 8ft ceilings and limited windows in the main living areas. My home is what I call curated- it has a 100 year old dining set and buffet, mahogany bachelors chest and my great grandparent’s bedroom suite, modern farmhouse walnut and black metal end tables, mid-century side chairs, an old teachers oak desk and chair in an alcove, two metal frame bed frames in bedrooms with modern nightstands in one and antique cherry nightstands in another and a modern bedroom set in another bedroom. All these rooms have navy, slate blues and dark greens with different vintage area rugs picking up the color in each room but the colors, my foundation colors, are in each room. Then the soft decor is natural linen curtains and wood shades in every room, white sheets on every bed, lamps are various metals with black metal and brass being part of every room, various wall decor with brass or black frames used or clear frames (posters and landscape photographs), oil paintings and prints, maps and botanicals. We are not throw pillow people but we are throw blanket people so you will see navy, denim blues, dark-olive greens, cream and beige, rusts everywhere folded, hung or thrown in a basket or open chest as you go through each room. I have kept my home clean and decluttered for years, I am definitely not a maximalist but I am not a minimalist, we keep what we love out but we also have items we store and rotate in and out of rooms as we need a change up, we don’t follow trends, we follow our hearts in what we place in our home and keep it until it wears out or a grandchild needs something for an apartment as they start leaving their nests.

[@glenelle24]

First time in a long time were building, knowing my design aesthetic and preferences has helped me not be distracted. I use Canvas, the free version and it's simply fabulous.

[@thediymommy]

The free version of Canva is great, I agree!

[@anneporter123]

You have very good taste. I could actually live very happily in these spaces.

[@thediymommy]

Thank you! 😊

[@gloriagates6976]

This is going to be a big help to me. I am changing up things in my living room. Thank you so much. 💓 You look great. Have a wonderful weekend

[@thediymommy]

Thank you - so glad you will find this helpful!

[@happyhandcraftstudio]

Excellent and concise video. Thank you.🇨🇦❤️

[@EmmaHoldernesse]

Hi, just wanted to say how good I think you are. Really informative, interesting and not too daunting for a novice! thanks

[@thediymommy]

I appreciate that!

[@metanisha441]

Wow you look fantastic! The real food practice is soo good for you! I’m happy you stick with it!

[@thediymommy]

Thank you!

[@kathryntrapman3917]

Great tips that you’ve used as I can see that your designed spaces always look so pulled together. Some of the 10 tips that you’ve given , I’ve always implemented when designing or decorating a space of mine, but a few of the 10 tips I wasn’t aware of ,so I thank you for those as I think they will be helpful in the future. Again thank you for sharing..🏠🏡

[@thediymommy]

Thanks for watching!

[@arizonashopper5095]

The 60/30/10 rule was super helpful!

[@hildaellulmercer4340]

Some very good tips without too much ado.

[@lindarosborough7091]

I have loved your content for years, Christina - following you here, on Instagram, and your blog. You do great work! I’d like to suggest something. Maybe have the course pricing clearer: i.e., $29 US or $29US / $39CDN. I understand that most of your viewers and customers are from the US, but your fellow Canadians could benefit from knowing the price upfront, rather than getting to the checkout page and having to do the currency conversion. Please accept this suggestion as a bit of feedback. I am not complaining, or wanting to cause you distress. I know putting yourself out there can result in nasty comments and criticism. This isn’t meant to be that - I think you’re great and I love your style and tips!

[@thediymommy]

Thanks so much for flagging, Linda! We've made it clear that it's USD on the sales pages before checkout, and left a link to a recommended currency exchange site for folks not paying in USD.

[@lindarosborough7091]

@@thediymommy Thanks for the quick response, Christina! Was it like that all along and I missed it? If so, I am horrified - my sincere apologies! Either way, thanks for writing back so quickly. I’m interested in learning how to create mood boards and you have a reliable track record for teaching and explaining things well.

[@cindytaylor698]

So many great tips. 🎉 You look amazing by the way! ❤

[@thediymommy]

Thank you so much!!

[@lindasmith5190]

Enjoyed.

[@araranalagoa]

Very useful tips, thank you so much ❤

[@irmayorke9075]

Any ideas you share are always helpful.

[@taraskinner3847]

These are such great tips! The paint color tip is so relatable. My husband and I had to choose our paint color for our new build before it was finished. I bought samples from Samplize and visited the home while it was under construction to see how they looked in different rooms. We ended up changing our initial choice. I did the same with fabric samples for curtains before making the full purchase. Definitely will be trying out Canva!

[@bettyangellanakgudde5547]

Love it. 😘

[@CandyM75]

You look amazing and thanks for all the ideas!!

[@indiramichaelahealey5156]

I decorated my appartment mainly modern with some retro pieces. I chose white as my main color plus re-ecuring colors, eather colors of nature (green, brown and wood) or black and grey accents.

[@bonitalaking2722]

Lv all the info in your video .., home decorating in a nutshell .. Thankyou so much😊

[@novanorman1091]

This is very helpful! Thanks you!!

[@BluebirdHomeAndDIY]

Lots of good information here. I really appreciate this video. ❤️

[@thediymommy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@polyxenikoutla134]

Such a coherent and useful video. Congruts!!

[@technologymom]

Could you do something about lighting? I am furnishing an entire home and am overwhelmed. My husband wants to make the living room completely symmetrical, with 2 identical floor lamps on either side. I’m not sure. Thanks!

[@thediymommy]

Great idea- I'll add a video about lighting to my list and share ASAP!

[@Donnasartlounge]

Hello, I’m looking forward to using the canva, I was wondering if you had a link for the rug or where I could purchase the rug in your primary bedroom. ❤

[@meganhuggins7494]

Rules, what rules? Decorate to whatever floats your boat, you’re the one who lives there, so be your kind of comfortable, not someone else’s. 😊😊😊

[@kathleenrutherford733]

Thank You so much, great information

[@ginafriend1690]

Nice tips, Kristina! What are those brass tubes in diffuser type container, that are lit?

[@thediymommy]

Thank you! That's a candle from EverlastingCandleCo.ca

[@ginafriend1690]

@@thediymommy Thank you, dear! 🌹

[@henp8380]

Wonderful ideas. Where are the candlestick behind you from?

[@nachojesus6460]

one more thing, are we not doing the farm in the kitchen/beach in the bathroom themes anymore or....?

[@HeavymetalHylian]

If you're technically challenged, You can use painter's or masking tape to lay out your design, not only fur your furniture, but also for wall art to see if the piece you are thinking of buying will be the right scale for your space. If you are thinking of putting a chair or table in your living room, but you're concerned it may be too much, lay the tape down on the floor and walk around it for a few weeks. See if it's comfortable or if it's in the way of the path.

[@bonnieblanc9709]

You may want to reverse the way the refrigerator doors open. They should open so you are allowed access from the room, not from the other side of the fridge.

[@sioharris4828]

What are those brass candle things on your table? They're gorgeous and interesting

[@martaescobar7625]

On the 60/30/10 rule.......do you include the ceiling and floor color in that?

[@grisellescakes]

Good to know…. Thank you!!!

[@cynthiacrumlish4683]

Hi! Love the mint green fridge! Can you let us know the brand, please?

[@thediymommy]

It's from Unique Appliances.

[@paula6446]

Such great tips!!!❤

[@annashkliar]

Thank you for the really useful video. I'm watching your channel for the first time and love this video. Could you please say what are those amazing three sticks (maybe metall) that are in the glass and are burning besides you?

[@maurad5378]

So helpful! Going to try a mood board and now new subscriber! Thank you!

[@dot2dal]

You are an inspiration to me. Thanks for such great advice. Love your work!

[@paulortiz2035]

Change the refrigerator door's swing! So while the door's is open you can put stuff on the counter. Or take from the counter to put in the refrigerator! Why flight the wall next to the refridgerator???!!!

[@heidis4229]

Thank you this was very useful❤

[@conniemoreland8397]

Excellent video!!

[@kasko8550]

Super video! Thank you! So helpful!

[@LifeWithMeriana]

This was so helpful! Thank you 🙏 😊

[@andyandy2684]

Thank you. Excellent ideas and advice….and so well articulated!!!

[@jhenniceamorrow5936]

Are there suggestions for a home that requires wider pathways for wheelchair access?

[@maryjocounts1537]

This is great! Thank you so much for making this informative and interesting!!

[@monicakoets4598]

I inherited a lot of antiques. I love them but I’m always scared I’m going to make my house look dated or to old fashion. Can you do a video on how to make your electric style work? My style is very close to yours… Are there any rules when it comes to showcasing your beautiful old pieces.

[@johnjohnny6480]

I too had the same dilemma. Our library table has also been an end table and now serves as a desk. A marble top dresser is now the bar in the dining room and holds table linens. The armoire has been a coat closet in the entry, a shoe palace in the bedroom, a mini office and presently the tv house in the living room. My friend lined hers in mirrors and glass shelves and made her armoire a stunning jewel box of a bar. Let your needs be your guide!

[@fortheloveofluxury2858]

Great tips!

[@MelAtlNP]

Wow! Thank you!

[@gardenjoy5223]

Usually the lightest color in the shop is very much in your face, in your house. So I choose an even lighter one, and on the walls it still is almost attacking you. Have learned over the years to Really take a much lighter version and then it's what I had in mind, when it's on the walls.

[@treid288]

Very good info! Do you mind sharing where the slender candles in the glass jar behind you are from?

[@thediymommy]

Thanks! That's from everlastingcandleco.com

[@hometrendstyles]

Very helpful!

[@shelleythomas1811]

Great advice

[@jasonbarney4278]

Where did you get the cabinets under the large round mirror? Love them! Great tips! ❤

[@thediymommy]

They're the STALL shoe cabinets from IKEA.

[@maureenmeenan4673]

I’ve been following you for a long time and love your style and your content!! I have a question. In the very beginning of this video - your intro, on the table behind you, I see a small glass container holding 3 gold “sticks” (not sure what they are) with a light at the top. Are they candles of some kind? Where did you get them? Thanks.

[@thediymommy]

Thank you so much for your support! The candle is from everlastingcandleco.com

[@bettyangellanakgudde5547]

I like your videos they help me and my mom thank you so much 😍💗❤️

[@thediymommy]

I'm so glad!

[@lyncrawford3349]

Really enjoy your videos. Your lake house was amazing. Where can I find the colour chart that you mentioned in this video? Best wishes from Northern Ireland. ❤️❤️❤️

[@thediymommy]

Thank you so much! The colour wheel printable is here: thediymommy.com/how-to-use-color-in-home-decor/

[@desiringless]

Just found your channel. Thanks for these ideas. Will be watching more of your past videos!

[@gnomealone350]

Well, I guess you’ve learned a lot, since you’re going to be a featured speaker at the Calgary Home Show! Yay you! 👏👏👏👏

[@thediymommy]

Thanks; I'm looking forward to it! Will you be there?

[@gnomealone350]

@@thediymommy nah. I’m a KZbin girl. Parking’s easier 😉.

[@nathaliepelletier1351]

I'm interested to make a mood board. You have awesome ideas.

[@thediymommy]

Thank you! 😊

[@barbb.7028]

This was very helpful. Thanks.

[@Darkangel-A-c8z]

I've got two alcoves, one in the bedroom and one in the living room. In the bedroom I'll have big fake plants on the side nearest the window and a chest of drawers desk on the other side, this cos the TV aerial is on that side. In the bedroom I'm having my coat hanger wardrobe with a tapestry to hide it and a book shelf display cabinet on the other side

[@gabbiluvz2434]

The glass votives with the straw candles?

[@daniellethomas2590]

Where did u get the narrow storage drawers under your stairs?

[@bettyangellanakgudde5547]

I love this video 😍❤️💗👍

[@janelandry6584]

I like the 60, 30, 10 rule. That one is new to me.

[@scarlettehaynes4819]

All great tips! Thank u