Get the Home You Want with My Easy Interior Design Tips
Are you constantly trying to get your home to look “right” with no success? – These easy Interior Design tips are just the thing to help and we will consider each one as we work through my 4 week online design package- Bringing Calm to Chaos- Get the home you want!
There are so many decisions to be made that it’s easy to be paralyzed into indecision for weeks or even months at a time.
Not to mention how much mistakes can cost….
These tips will help us to get started in the right way on your project.
You will know the things you need to concentrate on and think about, and they will also give you some ideas to make your rooms really say something about you and your style.
These tips will give you a glimpse into exactly what we will work through together in creating your design to help you create the home you want.
So – let’s get going. My 4 week Bringing Calm to Chaos package.
#1 – Planning is vital…
if you are to spend your money wisely and not make costly mistakes – Think about the overall look, style and feel that you are going for. Why not look through magazines or Pinterest for inspiration.
#2 – Every design plan has a jumping off point.
If you’re stuck for inspiration for a scheme, take a look at artwork/a fabric/ a rug/ an accessory you like, and base your colours around this. It is much easier to match a paint colour to artwork, than the other way around!
#3 – Know what’s staying and what’s going.
You need to know what you will have in the room as then you can build your scheme around it much more easily.
#4 – Just as interior designers do, create a mood board using images and samples.
This is just a fancy way of saying gather it all together so that you can see at a glance whether things work or not in the scheme before you buy – you can also estimate the price and budget accordingly.
#5 – Ask advice.
Ask an interior designer for help – I offer a number of consultation only packages such as Designer-by-your-Side where you can get on the spot ideas for minimum cost. Working with a designer, you will no doubt be shown ideas that maybe you haven’t thought of before that will make all the difference to your space.
#6 – Think about how many people live in your home, and if you often have guests, think of them too.
Have enough seating at the dining table and in the living areas for them.
#7 – Think about scale.
If you have a large room, then go for larger patterns as they will feel more to scale in the space – smaller patterns can work well as accents but not on main walls as they will feel too busy etc….
#8 – Make the most of every room in your house.
Think about how you utilize each room and don’t necessarily go with standard uses – many more people nowadays are creating a family room/playroom instead of a dining room, or a home office instead of a spare bedroom. Changing your scheme to fit your needs will maximize your homes potential.
#9 – Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
This is your home, so make it unique to you.
#10 – Know your budget.
Allocate money to specific parts of the design so you are less likely to overspend. You can still make massive changes with a few dollars.
#11 – To ensure you feel happy in your home, make sure there is a good flow from room to room.
If you like to have different colour schemes in all rooms, try at least to have a more neutral hallway, so that you aren’t bombarded!
#12 – If you are scared or simply don’t like that much colour in your home, try and play with different textures and fabrics instead.
This will create just as much interest – neutrals don’t have to be boring (they are my favourite!).
#13 – Decide on a colour scheme.
I love to use these large format peel and stick paint samples.– this will show you what that colour will look like in your room, as every room has different colour and light which will make colours appear different from space to space (have you ever painted every room the same colour, only to find it looks darker, lighter, more yellowy etc…. in the different rooms?).
#14 – When decorating…
Try and use about 70% of a main colour, 20% of a secondary colour, and 10% as an accent colour, and this will create a great scheme for you (don’t forget as well that flooring and furniture has colour too!). For instance, use a cream on your walls as the main colour (maybe a cream cushion or two as well!), dark grey sofas for the secondary colour, and green plants/cushions and accessories as your accent colour.
#15 – If you like to change your scheme…
as you get bored after a couple of years, invest in neutral larger products (sofa, curtains etc..) as these cost more to replace, and add in the colour with cushions, rugs, throws, accessories and artwork – that way you won’t spend a fortune on updates.
#16 – Go with the seasons.
If you like to feel cosy in the winter and really fresh in the summer – then consider having 2 sets of accessories for your rooms, and change when the seasons change (swapping out your pillows and throw blankets is an easy way to change things up seasonally). I like to purchase quality inserts and then purchase new pillow covers. That way I don’t have to worry about storage for the out of season items as you don’t want to create more clutter than you need.
#17 – Lighting is absolutely critical.
In a scheme, think about what different times of the day you use a room, and ensure that you have suitable lighting for each time (bright lights won’t work well in a room that you want to use to relax in the evening, for example – and dim lights won’t be best for a kitchen when you are preparing food). I like to have dimmer switches on most lights as you can then change the level of light depending on what you are doing.
#18 – Always measure furniture.
Check and make sure it will fit in the space you want it to before you buy – it will always look small in a showroom… (Also, make sure it will fit through your doors when it is delivered). I always carry a measuring tape in my purse.
#19 – Invest in a few key items.
Add in a few budget friendly accessories to not only create a scheme that suits you completely, but also won’t break the bank! You don’t need to spend a fortune to create a great look.
#20 – Symmetry works well in design schemes.
Think about whats around a fireplace, or artwork above a sofa – and try and make it symmetrical as this will please the eye. You want to ensure you have balance in your space.
#21 – When accessorizing, use odd numbered items.
Do this as much as possible, as this always looks best. Groupings of 3 and 5 work best.
#22 – Double up aesthetics with practicality.
A bed or coffee table with storage, a bathroom mirror with storage behind it, built in cupboards in alcoves etc… all maximize space and help your rooms feel less cluttered as everything can have its place.
#23 – Plan ahead.
If you know that you want a specific item of furniture, be prepared to wait for it – as most shops have sales at certain times of the year – you may well pick up a bargain! (look online for people selling items as well as you can pick up bargains – my area has some great second hand home decor and furniture consignment shops. These are great places to try for picking up items if you know what you are looking for).
#24 – Don’t be afraid to customize furniture.
Painting wooden furniture is a quick and easy update for little expense.
#25 – Try and add a focal point to every room.
So that your eye focuses on one thing as you enter the room – commonly this is a fireplace, a bed, a feature wall etc…. This will make the room feel much more finished and complete.
#26 – The final touches are what brings a room together.
A few cushions, throws, rugs etc.. will work wonders. Start looking around when you’re out and about, because you can pick up some great cost effective options from lots of places.
#27 – Think about practicality when creating a room scheme.
Even if you would love a cream sofa – if you have children and/or a dog, is it really practical? It sure can be if you are willing to be pay a little extra for the performance fabric. Slipcovers also work great. Hard floors wear better than carpet in family areas.
#28 – I like to use the same flooring throughout a house.
Or at least throughout the same floor of a house. It makes every room feel larger because it’s harder to see where one room starts and the other ends.
#29 – Create your own artwork.
Do this by framing your photos or your children’s artwork , or even a favourite or expensive wallpaper, professionally – a deep mount creates a really professional and truly unique piece.
#30 – Get the professionals in.
DIY is all well and good if you are good at it – but it is a costly mistake to start doing things yourself if you haven’t got the experience. Do you really want to pay for wallpaper again because you haven’t been able to hang it exactly right? Paying a professional is of course more expensive than doing it yourself, but is usually worth it!
Sign up for my 4 week online design package Bringing Calm to Chaos and together we will walk through these tips to create the home you want. These tips will help you make great design decisions and help you avoid costly mistakes.
xo,
