Access to beautiful design imagery is everywhere, from HGTV to Pinterest to Instagram and everything else in between. Designer spaces are no longer confined to the glossy pages of shelter magazines but are available whenever you turn on the TV or scroll through your phone. Even though these images are instantly accessible, achieving the look and understanding the process can feel out of reach to the consumer. Here are some of the most common home design questions and answers so you can apply the insight to your own home.
What’s the first step in decorating a room?
Space planning is the first step in creating a functional and beautiful space. Take careful measurements of the room, considering doorways, windows, and wall openings. Then, you can draw the room on paper or use a consumer-friendly digital floor plan tool, such as Homestyler, to determine the ideal placement for furniture. If you need a hands-on way to visualize where the furniture will go, painter’s tape is a tried and true method.
What is the most important design rule to follow?
A room with the correct scale and proportions will help the room feel balanced. Ensuring all the items in the room are to scale will make the room feel cohesive and comfortable. Scale is especially important with the rug and furniture, as these items set the tone for the room.
What are the go-to elements to take a room to the next level?
There is no question that a perfectly accessorized room will result in a beautiful space. However, carefully curating the items you bring into your home will create a space that feels elevated and collected.
- Unique pieces that tell your family’s story, such as treasured photos, items from travels, and family heirlooms, are conversation pieces and will make your home truly unique.
- Every room should have something living, whether it’s flowers or a plant. These can be mood boosters, help purify the air, and add additional color and dimension.
- Coffee table books are a must-have for every room and surface, such as console tables, coffee tables, and shelves. They add color, height, and dimension, and can showcase your personality.
Should I buy the furniture set?
Purchasing a furniture set from a chain retailer can be the easiest way to furnish a room. However, it’s also the fastest way to make a room feel cookie-cutter, average, and devoid of personality. Matching various pieces of furniture is the best way to create an exciting and inspired space. Mixing new pieces with antiques, curved and straight lines, and textures, such as rattan end tables with a mahogany coffee table, will help a room feel professionally designed and interesting.
Can I mix metals?
Mixing metals in a space can create a layered, luxe look that a single metal alone cannot achieve. Mixed metals create a collected and designer-approved space. Selecting one prominent metal as your main finish creates an anchor. Then, choosing an accent metal can serve as the room’s focal point and add that special extra layer.
Once your prominent metal is selected, you can layer in your accent metal to add depth to the space. For example, in the kitchen, you may choose a polished nickel faucet and drawer pulls, but select antique bronze pendants above your island to serve as your focal point.
