Have you ever looked through an interior design magazine wishing that your décor was so divine that Luxe, Elle DECOR or Dwell were beating down your door to feature your house in their next edition?
Putting rooms together can be an overwhelming task plagued with interior design insecurity, but it does not have to be if you remember a few basic starters and build on them. No matter your style or flavor, rooms can reflect “you” perfectly while looking like an interior designer has professionally arranged them.
Know the dimensions of the room. Also, know the ingress points and the measurements of each. Be sure to include doors, hallway, and stair widths (if they must be traversed to the room you are decorating). It is important both in selecting the right size of furniture for the room and then getting the furnishings in the room and leaving enough space to move around comfortably.
Set the tone of the room. Want energy in a room? Select the furnishings in different heights and sizes. If you want a more serene, calm environment, make sure the furnishings are the same height and scale.
Work the form. All spaces have form; whether the form is oval, round, or square, etc. For instance, a long, narrow room can be dealt with by dividing the room into two squares. Use one end of the room for a conversational space with big lounging chairs and a television and use the other for a different function such as a dining area. Dividing up space into another form makes decorating an easier task.
Encourage conversation. Space should be arranged so that you can share it with a friend. That can mean two chairs facing a sofa, two love seats facing one another, or any arrangement that allows you to enjoy easy conversation. Consider the same thing in the dining area. Conversation is the reason that dining tables claim the middle of the room.
Take advantage of the view. Position the furnishings to take advantage of a beautiful view.
Avoid the perimeter. Floating pieces are always best. Of course, we don’t all have the luxury of much space. Even so, you can place a large sofa along the wall and float chairs at angles facing it to create the feeling of more space.
One last trick of the trade — get rid of the clutter. Keep pictures, books, and knick-knacks housed on one piece of furniture. Clutter detracts from the beauty of the room.
Keeping these simple tips in mind, your space can look professionally designed while creating a warm and inviting feel that suits you and the purpose of the room perfectly.
designed for you.
