Five quick design ideas for your new home

Moving is exhausting, so undertaking a do-it-yourself home improvement design project might be last on your list of things to do in your new home, and you might not have the cash to hire an interior decorator.

With that in mind, here are some quick ideas for design projects that will make your new place look great!

1. Windows in a new home can often look cold and uninviting, especially when it's dark out. Decorating your windows usually should wait until you have a full decorating plan in place, but there are things you can do to avoid the “tacked-up sheet ” look with many new homes.

If you don't already have blinds for privacy, pick up some inexpensive vinyl ones ... they install in minutes. Soften your windows without having to install curtain hardware by adding small cup hooks at the corner of each window, then simply swag a pretty piece of fabric over the top as a valance, held by the hooks. The cup hooks can be removed later once you have to time for a more extensive job.

2. The right changes to your room can give it style -- without a ton of effort.
First, to save your already aching back, work out a furniture arrangement on paper. Float furniture away from the walls, create conversational groupings, or place furniture pieces (or the whole room) on the diagonal -- this creates a more interesting room visually. Consider nontraditional pieces as well; a loveseat for the dining table or a small snack table in the family room.

3. Painting is a drag, but there are easy ways to add color and charm to the walls in any room until you are ready to add paint or wallpaper.

Because your walls are one of the largest decorating areas in a room, you want to tackle these first for the greatest impact. Try hanging a large piece of nontraditional “art” such as a pretty quilt your grandmother made. Invest a few bucks in some dollar-store picture frames, print out some attractive black and white photos off your computer, and then hang them gallery-style on a focal wall. And don't feel you have to fill any empty space -- an empty wall can make a statement as well.

4. Pillows and throw blankets are easily purchased at any discount store and add color and texture to a room quickly. This design and decorate project requires little work.
Choose a color scheme for the room, and then pick up an odd number of pillows and a couple of blanket throws for the sofa, chair or loveseat. Don't worry about color commitment; because throw pillows are so inexpensive, you can change your mind later when you get your decorating plan finished. For now, the pillows and throws will bring in color and create a pulled-together look no matter what furniture you have in the room.

5. Adequate lighting in a room is an easy secret of interior designers, but it's never truer than in a new home. Lighting your new home can not only make the rooms seem more welcoming, but can also be used as a decorative touch that creates an upscale and pulled-together look without much cost.

The secret here is "can" lighting. Also known as "up" lights, they are simply a metal can light that sits on the floor and illuminates upwards. Placed behind a piece of furniture or a large plant, or to showcase a piece of art, up lights create a pool of light that is subtle, allows walls to seem to fall away, and adds a sense of custom design to any room. Best of all, they only cost around $10!

Kathy Wilson is a home and garden writer, author and consultant and the home decorating expert for LifetimeTV.com.