First ... we post on the Home decorating with a floor plan sketch of what you have to work with and maybe a few pictures of what it looks like now.

They will come up with great ideas over there. (This forum is mostly for organising and storing and decluttering, with no regard for looks and decor)

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/decor 

I agree with practigal- don't try to do everything at once. Instead, decide the one or two things that you feel you need to deal with soonest and start working in that direction. Once you finish one task, then you can decide what the next thing is, and tackle it.

When we first bought our house, one of the neighbors commented that the tasks and projects you have as a homeowner never end. She was right. It seems like there is always something you want to put in, or take out, or improve in some way. It's quite unlikely that you will ever find yourself where you feel the house is complete and perfect- but if you happen to find yourself there for a while at some point- enjoy it!

Take a deep breath. It will all get done eventually.

Here's your list: "shelves in a study, art on the walls, plants in the front and the back,
lighting in the main room and the tv room (lamps), patio furniture, and
what seems like a million other things."

Looks to me as if the shelving is important because you probably can't unpack/store things without it. Lighting is probably also important, because you need to see. Patio furniture--you could a) get along without it for a year or b) buy something cheap to tide you over until you have time/money to make a proper purchase. Or c) decide the patio furniture is a priority, because you want to spend a lot of time out there, and move "buy patio furniture" to the top of your list.

Art work and plants can wait. Art can wait until you find the right thing. Plants need care and tending to, so wait on those until you have the time to take care of them properly.

There's some things that need to be done soon, and others that can wait. And still others, like art, can wait even longer, until the rest of the house is done, and you have time to research and take trips to art galleries, things like that. Art, and to some extent plants, are finishing touches. Get the needed things in the rooms first.

I always start with a list! The bigger, the better. I actually use a spreadsheet.

Go through each room, and jot down what you need/want there. Include things like paint, add shelves, furniture, artwork - whatever will complete your vision of each room.

Next, estimate the cost of each item - either in money or time. Decide if you want new, used, or if you can live with a cheap temporary solution until the right thing (or funding) comes along.

Now prioritize, both by room, and within each room. Perhaps you want to have one room mostly finished, so you have a place to go where you can relax, and not be faced with "a million things to do". Perhaps you'll feel better if you have a big thing done in each room - this is personal preference.

Tackle the list a little bit at a time. Once your project are broken down into manageable pieces, they don't feel as overwhelming. And once you get a few things done and can see progress, it's easier to keep going.

Artwork is the one place I'd really take my time. I would put posters on the walls, just to fill space until I found something I loved for the walls. I also prefer blank walls over throwing things up just because there's a space.

Good luck!

Hey, high class problems are still your problems - and it sounds like you're already pretty grateful that these are the problems you're having!

I agree with the post right above me, making a list is always the best place to start. Try to prioritize what you can get done fastest, most cheaply, or what you really need to do first and go from there. It will seem much more manageable at that point, and you can track your progress as you check things off the list!

This sounds like accessorizing...livening up the space, finishing the look, softening, making things cozy...and as such it is important to your family's well being and sense of having a "place". So it isn't a problem to belittle.

That said, these kinds of projects are nothing to pressure yourself about as long as you keep chugging along at doing a couple things here and there so you can increase that comfort level at a steady pace. You might eventually get to the state of feeling like you have things the way you want them, but then also know these are the kinds of small projects that most people are always thinking about adjusting to keep things interesting...and the reason most homemakers feel like their space is never really done. It's a nice problem to have because most people like the idea that there is always room for some new little thing that they feel is perfect for their home.

The thing that I would do to approach this...is make a list of the little things that you feel need to be furnished and then tuck it away in your wallet or whatever. Then let the pieces find YOU. Set aside a few dollars every week to swipe up things that look like they fit a need. Decorating slowly like this is the only way to get that authentic accumulated look that is so interesting in a home. No rush!

A couple places that seem like a good start to me...storage items (shelves, ottomans, caddies, organizers, etc) and plants...maybe an herb garden for the kitchen window which is both beautiful and useful.

If you are looking for budget ideas for the wall....you can paint your own abstract canvases or murals directly on the wall, you can start a photo collage, you can enlarge photos, use maps, quilts, etc as wall art.

Perhaps you need to hire a designer?

Slow down! It takes time to make a house your home. It is much like losing weight. You are best advised to do it slowly.

You are right, high class problems.

can you afford a pro? Even if just for a consultation?

I also like the advice to focus on the room you spend the most time in, or the room that feels the most like "I take care of myself here." (Like, the bedroom, maybe. I think that for many people that could fuel further progress.

If you want to pick one room, there's this, which is an Organizing the Home principle: Start with the low-hanging fruit--the room that would be easiest to completely achieve success in. (when it's decluttering, we often suggest the bathroom, because a good declutter is actually easier and faster there--then you have rapid success, and you feel encouraged. Sort of like going low-sodium for the start of your diet)


I also like the idea of doing a comprehensive survey of each room, and a big list. Then you can have it all in front of you, and you can prioritize. You can choose the inexpensive easy things first, or you can see tasks/categories you can group for a more efficient expenditure of time/money/research.
And you can see what's most important to you, or that all the landscaping should wait until spring.

You might find yourself trusting your decision to NOT do something right away, if you can see all of it at once.