Have you ever walked into a room that feels effortlessly perfect? Or watched an HGTV show and wonder why your home falls short of those you see on television? Many people assume that interior design is something that just happens, but the truth is that it’s a craft involving everything from fabric knowledge to problem-solving skills.
You can create a beautiful and functional living space for yourself too. Here are five home decorating and interior design secrets from the pros.
It’s easy for our homes to become a hodgepodge of items. And while each of these things may be fine on its own, if they don’t work together, they can lead to a cluttered, disharmonious feel.
To avoid this, interior designer Lauren Liess recommends “curating” your space. In an interview with Better Homes & Gardens, she suggests listing styles and features that appeal to you, and then whittling that down to a shortlist of elements that work well together. Not sure where to begin? Peruse images of homes and rooms to find ones you like, and you’ll find an emerging theme that you can incorporate into your home.
To create a cohesive environment, choose a color palette and use it throughout your home. Designer Gary McBournie told House Beautiful, “I come up with a basic color scheme for the whole house, and then I take that from room to room. It plays itself out in different ways in different rooms.”
Furniture and decor don’t exist in a vacuum, they should exist in the context of a particular space. This should be factored when determining the layout and choosing pieces.
“Interior design is like a three-dimensional game of chess: You have to think about space both vertically and horizontally. People who build big houses are often sorry later. The living room feels too large, and you have enough space to roller-skate in the kitchen. You have to break down these rooms and create spaces with a human scale. In an expansive room, I’ll establish multiple seating areas. I’ll carve out an inglenook with a high-back sofa and folding screens,” said interior designer John Saladino in Elle Decor.
Many living rooms have built-in focal points like fireplaces, other rooms need a focal point to be created. It’s important to have a focal point because it’s what catches your eye when you enter a room. Focal points anchor the space, and also set the mood and tone.
Interior designer and The Decorated Home author told Oprah.com, “In every room there is some point of inspiration, whether it’s a fantastic carpet you found in your travels or a beautiful painting that would be just perfect over the mantel. Make choices that complement your home, and choose focal points wisely. If you love your sofa, add a chic lumbar pillow to draw the eye. If you have a pair of lamps that feel a bit plain, custom lampshades add punch.”
Many people think of decorating a room is a finite process: Once you have all the requisite pieces, you’re done. But the reality is that the best living spaces are dynamic. They can (and should) be updated and improved — but only when you find the right pieces.
Designer Anne Hepfer told MyDomaine, “I love working in a range of different styles, from eclectic city and country chic to beachy to modern rustic. Every project varies for each client to provide a unique, timeless, and beautiful atmosphere. I’m constantly looking, evolving, and shopping for cool finds in my global travels.”
It’s easy to be overwhelmed when faced with the question of how to decorate your home. The good news? These five tips from the experts can help you create chic and comfortable spaces that acknowledge both form and function. Visualize your room’s layout with our handy Room Planner and experiment with everything from mapping conversational areas and determining focal points to furniture placement and arranging rugs.
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