Step 1 - Pick a general style

What vibe do you want to have at home? This is the most important part of the entire process. Without a general direction for your home, you will get lost and have mixed styles that will clash with the overall feel of your home. This clashing makes your home feel crowded and less comfortable. Pinterest and Houzz can be a huge help here but remember your house isn't getting stagged and has people living in it. Always add a level of mess and comfort to the photos you see and know that it's ok to have toys out.

2 - Create a style guide!

Most important step! This can be a Pinterest board or a collection of photos that you really like. This will be a huge help when decorating your house and helping you pick out furniture as well as accessories. On that board make sure to include a couple of personal items that you love and represent you because they are a part of who you are and should inform your style. This will be the first thing you look at when picking out new furniture, art, or accessories for your home. Think of it as a brand image guide. What is your personal brand style and how will your selections impact it.

Step 3 - Pick a small spot to start

Pick one bookshelf, or one closet and start there. Trying to do an entire house or even an entire room can be such a large project and will often drain you before you can complete them. Focus on one area first. Take a quick inventory of what is part of the project, what the goal is for the project, and how you can tackle it. Make sure to grab any containers you might need to hide items that won't stack well or look great when visible. Start with decluttering and getting rid of anything that you aren't using. Sometimes this can be an almost tube of toothpaste you forgot about or sometimes it can be a gift from a family member you never got around to using. Don't be too hard on yourself if you want to keep it but remember that each item is more cleaning and storage down the road.

Step 4 - Take everything else out

It's likely gonna be a big pile of stuff. That's ok. Take it all out for now. Taking it all out gives you an idea of what kind of space you have. After taking it out. Wipe it all down or wash it. Those pillowcases you never use but want to keep may have sat in there for a year or more. Give them a good wash before you put them back. Then start organizing into groups. This can be in several styles. If this is an area that is visible focus on styles, sizes, and colors. Remember that your going to be using these items so don't stick your favorite book on the back of the self.

Step 5 - Halfway through stop, hydrate, and review.

Walk away from the project for a moment. Get some water, stretch, and come back to it. This gives you a moment to look at your progress, take how it is looking so far, and change directions if needed. Now is also a great time to start working on the style points. Are there spots where you can add a great accessory? Add a few here and there. Test out moving things around a bit. How would those books look if they were stacked on their sides? This can make a huge impact on the overall look and gives you a small shelf to put a framed photo of your family.

Step 6 - Power Through!

You got this! You're almost done! Time to power through. Finish up the rest and pack up anything that couldn't find a place. Sometimes things won't fit and will need to be stored. That's ok. Take a step back again, hydrate, and review. This moment is like a punch list for your home. Take inventory of anything that still needs to get done and anything you might want to adjust. Dive in for the final bit and make sure it's perfect. After it's all done, take a photo. This can be to show off your work but it is also so you can look back and remember what it looks like if it gets messed up. Remember your living in this house and it's ok for things to get messed up. Bringing them back to that stylish display is what makes the difference in the end. CONGRATS you're done! Good job!

Bonus tips!

• Remember this is your space. Don't let your minimalist friend dictate what you're doing in your home. This is about you so make sure it's your style. You come first here so if you want to have that giant bean bag (would suggest LoveSac) in the living room then get another and have a comfortable space for a friend to lounge with you well watching tv.
• Create a style guide for yourself! This can be a Pinterest board or a collection of photos that you really like. This will be a huge help when decorating your house and helping you pick out furniture as well as accessories. On that board make sure to include a couple of personal items that you love and represent you because they are a part of who you are and should inform your style.
• Containers are your friends! Get large and small ones that you can place around your house to hold all the small items and extras that you don't want to show off. A big chest is great for kid's toys and makes a great seat for guests.

• A 5 min clean with everyone is way easier and produces way better results than a half-fight and hour of slow angry cleaning. Try not to make cleaning painful for yourself and everyone in the family because it won't get done then.
• Don't settle when it comes to quality pieces. If you are not finding the sofa that you like in your price range then don't buy a cheaper one. Wait, and save for the one you want. It's so hard to replace larger pieces so find the ones you love and spend the money on them.
• Don't be afraid of custom pieces. They really do transform the space beyond what anyone else has. This can be a custom piece of art or a custom sofa. Find someone local and work with them to build exactly what you want. This will pay for itself time and time again.
• Enjoy it! If you don't enjoy it then find help. This could be a friend or this could be professional help. Figuring out your style and how you want your home to feel should be an exciting adventure and sometimes adventures need to be a giant group of people to be successful!