Finding Time To Decorate When There Aren't Enough Hours In The Day

It’s safe to say most of us could do with more hours in the day. Sometimes, it feels as though finding time to shower is a struggle, let alone tackling all the other things you need to do around the house. And, let’s be honest; there are a lot of other things higher up the to-do list than decorating. Spending time with your kids is, of course, a priority. Then, there are tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and making time for your partner. And the list goes on!

It’s no wonder, then, that many of us struggle to consider our home decoration. In fact, for some busy families, this is a task which forever falls off the radar. It isn’t unusual to simply stick to the decor which was in place when you moved in. After all, it does the job, right?

Of course, it does. But, feeling at home is essential, and you might struggle to do that with someone else's decor choices. Instead, it’s time to take control of time. Or, at least find a way to fit decoration into your life. Lucky for you, that may not be as difficult as you’re expecting. All you need to do is find ways to minimise or manage the workload. And, I've got a few suggestions which could help you do it.

Get outside help

It may seem obvious, but it has to be said. If you really can’t find time to tackle your decoration, why not get outside help? Interior designers like jenniereeve.co.uk will work closely with you to achieve the look and feel you want for your home. This can be a huge help when it comes to saving your time. In fact, all an interior designer will need from you is a quick meeting explaining what you want. They may need to check one or two things along the way, but that’s about it. You can go about your other tasks, and even head out for your workday. But, when you get back home, your space will be transformed into the design dream of your choice.

Admittedly, there are costs involved here. In some cases, those expenses can be extreme. But, it is a sure way to get the job done without hassle. What’s more, shopping around for the best deal could save you enough to make this worthwhile. It might also be worth sticking to one room at a time. That way, you won’t face a hefty bill, but can break things down into manageable chunks. It’s possible that help like this won’t reach the giddy heights you’re expecting. Research whether it’s affordable before casting this option away. One thing’s sure; it doesn’t get much better than this for saving time in the decoration stakes.

Use what you've got

Using what you’ve got can help to save you time in two significant ways. For one, taking inspiration from pieces you already have could cut the task in half. After all, coming up with ideas is one of the hardest parts. You’ll likely have multiple trips to stores on your hands, stocking up on samples and tester pots. Then, you may have to spend a while looking at your options before settling on the right one. Before you know it, two months have passed since you decided to decorate. But, if you gain inspiration for colours and ideas from existing pieces, you would be in a better position. You’d certainly be able to cut down that deliberation period and get straight down to work.

The second thing worth considering is upcycling existing furniture. Forget traipsing around furniture stores looking for the right thing. Instead, you could tailor make interior decor to suit any decorating style you’ve chosen. And, all it takes is a little fabric and the ability to think outside the box. If you’ve never embarked on upcycling before, sites like pinterest.co.uk are well worth your time. Here, you can find a whole host of ideas and how-to guides to get you going. Though it may not seem like it when you start a project, this is a sure way to save yourself time in the long-run.

Take clever shortcuts

Admittedly, shortcuts and interior design don’t always work well together. In fact, taking the easy route with something like this could end in disaster. We’ve all heard horror stories of DIY don’ts and collapsed walls. But, that doesn’t mean shortcuts are off the cards altogether here. In fact, taking a few smart shortcuts could make a huge difference. It’ll certainly help you fit this task into a smaller time. But, how do you know which shortcuts you can and can’t take?

For the most part, it’s worth considering the work involved, and what damage it could do. In the majority of cases, DIY shortcuts are a terrible idea. If you do want to give them a try, you should certainly make sure to do thorough research beforehand. But, more simple shortcuts might not be a bad idea. What these are depends on the job at hand. It may be that you buy laminate flooring instead of restoring your floorboards. You might want to invest in a brick mural like those you can view it at wallpaperink.co.uk, instead of exposing the brickwork yourself. It’s difficult to see how moves like these can go wrong. As such, it’s well worth giving such things a try. You won’t believe how much time these methods could save you until you attempt them for yourself.

Tackle one room at a time

It’s also worth only tackling one room at a time. If you plan to deal with decoration in two or more one after the other, the job is sure to look larger than it is. Instead, keep it manageable. Stick with one room before you even start to toy with another. This will be the difference between climbing a mountain and a molehill. A molehill is manageable when you don’t have much time, but a mountain isn’t. So, don’t make your life harder than it needs to be. You may end up moving straight onto another project when you’re finished, and that’s fine. But, don’t set it in your sights before you need to. If you fall into that trap, you may struggle to get around to any decoration at all. After all, there’s no way you have time to tackle all those rooms. But, you might just be able to manage the one.

Remember Rome wasn't built in a day...

As much as you should focus on one room at a time, it’s also essential to break that down into manageable chunks. If you try to do the whole thing in a day or two, it’s less likely that you’ll be able to find the time. However, if you settle for an hour’s work here and there, the task might not seem as impossible. That will, of course, mean that it’s a little longer before you tick off all those things on your design wishlist. In fact, the room in question may be out of use for a week or two. That shouldn’t be an issue if you plan on it. Then, you’re free to dedicate ten or twenty minutes where you can, instead of waiting until you have a few hours spare. Let’s be honest; that’s such a rarity that you would be waiting a while.

Get organised

As with anything when time restraints are involved, organisation should also come to the fore here. In fact, this will help you make the most of those smaller chunks of time. And, that can ensure you still don’t spend too long on the task. But, how do you get organised when it comes to home decor? For the most part, this means knowing exactly what needs doing and when you can do it. Write out a to-do list and estimate times for each task. For instance, each layer of paint needs a set amount of time to dry. Instead of sitting back and waiting, your to-do list will ensure you can get on with other things in the meantime. Plus, your estimated times ensure you can rest easy with how long each task should take you. As such, you can be sure that even a spare ten minutes goes towards the cause. You can also then become aware of the tasks which are likely to take you a little longer and plan accordingly. If you cross off each task as it’s finished, the job should be complete in no time.

It's true; making time to decorate is rarely easy. But, as you can see, it’s far from impossible. What’s more, it’s a task which is well worth your attention. Try this out in one room and see how good the redesign feels. The chances are, you’ll be desperate to transform the whole house as soon as possible.

This is a collaborative post