Interior design can be more difficult than it looks, especially if you’re looking to take the design of your home up an additional notch. Getting the basics right is one thing; turning your house into a beautiful oasis is another thing altogether.
If you’re looking for ways to improve upon your existing interior design scheme, you’re in the right place. Here are 6 tips to keep in mind as you go about redecorating your living space!
1. Decide What Doesn’t Work
Before you decide what design styles and options you want, consider the things you don’t like. This doesn’t have to be limited to large-scale design themes like “maximalism” – it can also be small details you aren’t keen on, like wingback chairs or mirrors outside the bathroom. After you’ve got a better hold on your hard no’s, you can then move on to your list of likes.
Once you’ve got both lists ready, compare the list of “no”s to the list of “likes.” It’s easy to create an extensive list of things you like, and comparing the two lists can help you narrow down your list of options. For example, if you’re not keen on including the color green in your interior design, you’ll be able to take the jungle-style interior design off your list of likes since this style relies heavily on the color green. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about unintentionally including a design element that you will hate a few months down the line.
2. Start From the Ground
When it comes to creating a cohesive interior design, one part of the home that is often ignored is the flooring. However, your floors are among the biggest canvases you have to work with and can help set the “feel” of more room. Starting from the ground up can help you build a truly unified look.
The first step is to decide on the type of flooring you’re looking for, whether it be hardwood floors or tiles. Additionally, think about the floor coverings you would like to add and how they will reflect on your final designs. You should consider adding kilim carpets because they are a great way to add flavor to Scandinavian-style spaces, while bamboo and jute rugs are great ideas if you’re looking to add a lot of natural fiber into the room. In some cases, you may even be able to use the colors and patterns in your floor coverings to build up the rest of your room design.
At the same time, keep the other elements you will be adding in mind. For example, if you’re adding several heavy furniture pieces like couches and sofas, you will have to choose a floor covering that fits into the available floor space rather than being covered by the furniture.
3. Use Wallpaper in Fun Ways
When you think of wallpaper, you’re probably thinking of your walls. After all, the meaning is in the name: wallpaper is paper that’s meant to go on your walls.
Well, not exactly.
With a bit of creativity, you can use your favorite wallpaper in new and exciting ways. One option is to use wallpaper to cover your refrigerator and other appliances in your kitchen. It’s a fun way to spruce up things that are often dull and drab, and since the wallpaper is easily removable, it will not damage your appliances or affect future redecoration projects.
4. Bring Light to the Basement
Does your interior design project also include renovating your basement? If so, look for ways to highlight the extra space or make it seem bigger than it actually is.
If your basement doesn’t have windows, one good option is to combine a few mirrors to fake the look and feel of a window. It’s a unique, whimsical décor piece, and the mirrors will help reflect light around the space, making it look more expansive and welcoming.
5. Swatch Your Paints
Just because paint colors look great in the store or in the paint can doesn’t mean they will look just as good on your walls. Before choosing a paint color, sample the colors on your wall first.
Every space gets different levels of natural light, and the amount of natural light a room or home gets will affect how the paint looks. One good way to determine how well a paint color works in your room is to first sample the paint on the walls and then look at it during the daytime and at night. Additionally, don’t forget to look at how well the color works under artificial lighting since you’ll probably have a few wall or ceiling lights installed at the finishing touches.
Make sure to sample them on your walls, and not just on paper or with paint chips. Just because something looks good on paper doesn’t mean the effect will translate to your walls. Additionally, testing out the color in this way will make it easier for you to see exactly how the light falls on the paint and what undertones develop throughout the day.
Swatching your paint properly will reduce the risk of buyer’s remorse, and you’re less likely to want to repaint the space right away. This means that not only will you like your final design, you’ll also end up saving money and time you would otherwise spend on repainting.
6. Look at the Negative Space
Interior design isn’t just about what you can add to your home – it’s also about the parts you leave untouched. Too many elements in a closed space results in visual confusion, so it’s essential to make sure you pay attention to the negative space in your design as well.
When placing your furniture pieces, space them out so that each piece can shine. Don’t rush to fill the empty space with décor pieces and rugs–the negative space lets the elements you do add breathe and stand out in their own right. In some cases, this may even include leaving large parts of a room bare so that you can ensure all the attention is on the focal pieces.
Getting the interior design of your home right can feel challenging, but it’s also a great way to incorporate your personality into your house. It helps your property feel unique and personalized, allowing you to feel truly safe and relaxed when you get back after a long day at work.
