Know what you like.
Interior Decorating Basics: Knowing what you like is a prerequisite for discovering your options.
- To start, look at the things you already love and see if you can identify what they have in common. Maybe it’s color, maybe it’s a specific shape or pattern, maybe it’s all about smoothness or symmetry. Whatever your tastes are, there may be an underlying theme that explains why certain items appeal to you more than others.
- Interior design magazines and websites can also help: don’t just flip through them looking for inspiration; read the articles and let them guide your search for what works best for you. You’ll also get a sense of how different styles are pieced together to create something special—a valuable skill to have as a decorator, regardless of whether your job is big or small.
- Lastly, remember that your room has a purpose beyond merely looking pretty: understand its function before putting pen to paper (or mousepad). This will help narrow down your choices so only the most relevant elements remain in consideration—saving time and stress overall!
Make your space your own.
It’s your space, so go ahead and make it your own!
Decorating is all about you, where you live, what you like and don’t like. So really there are no rules here. Well maybe one rule: make it comfortable for you! If it makes you happy when people walk in the door then that’s all that matters. You may think that decorating is going to be a big challenge or cost a lot of money but I am going to show how easy it can be even on a very small budget. First thing is to look at some interior photos of rooms that inspire you. There are so many interior magazines out there but also looking on Pinterest can help as well as Instagram and Facebook posts from design bloggers that might give you some ideas too. Once you have figured out your style then get started! I know it might seem overwhelming but start with one corner of the room and take it from there!
Understand scale.
When interior decorating, it’s essential to understand what “scale” means. Scale is the size of a piece of furniture in relation to a room. A common mistake? Purchasing pieces that are either too large or too small for their designated space. Using the right scale is important; too small and a space will appear incomplete, while too large can make it feel cramped. In addition, before buying large items, always measure your space. You don’t want to lug your new couch up three flights of stairs only to find out you underestimated by even an inch or two.
Color is a powerful tool.
Color can be a powerful tool for impacting the way people and spaces make you feel. Understanding how color affects our senses is critical when decorating your home or office. Many people use color to help soothe their minds and bodies. For example, studies have shown that patients in hospitals recover more quickly if their rooms are painted with warm, soothing colors. In addition to helping with emotional regulation, color can also be used to create a sense of balance in interior design as well as impact the look and feel of a room’s overall space. The psychology of color has been around for literally thousands of years (ever heard of Feng Shui?) and it’s still relevant today. Think about it: we all know the feeling of entering a room where something just “doesn’t feel right” — maybe there’s too much cream and pale yellow, maybe there’s too little light coming in through the windows, maybe everything feels cramped despite its size. These are all issues that could be solved by understanding how to properly decorate using color theory!
Don’t shy away from hard work.
The trick to a beautiful home is consistent, purposeful effort. It’s tempting to shy away from hard work, especially when you’re feeling discouraged by your living situation. It’s important to remember that any progress towards a better life is progress!
You have the power to do something about your life and make it better, but you have to be willing to try new things and take some risks, just as you did when tackling a new interior design project. Don’t let obstacles stop you—you can overcome anything that stands in your way if you put in enough effort. Create order, create beauty—create the life of your dreams!
Have an anchor piece.
It’s best to have an anchor piece. This is a large item, usually the largest in the room, that can be a furniture piece, art work or rug. Choose this first and then build the room around it. It will serve as the focal point of your room.
Don’t let your fear of interior decorating paralyze you.
So, you may be afraid of interior decorating, but what exactly are you scared of? Is it the fear that your choices will go wrong or that you’ll spend beyond your means on a room? Or maybe it’s simply the feeling of being overwhelmed. Whatever it is, there are ways to work through it. If you want to overcome your fear, start by learning some basic style skills and principles. Then take these knowledge gems into the world and apply them in real-time to your own space with small steps until you’re ready for more.Look at rooms that inspire you! Look at rooms that give you the willies! Take note of what works and what doesn’t in each space and figure out why they elicit certain reactions from you. Consult design magazines and websites (bonus points if they have quizzes), pin images that catch your eye onto an inspiration board, keep track of common themes. When in doubt: try everything (within reason).