Blog
Decorate Like a Pro: Secrets from Interior Designers
Nov
Interior design is both an art and a science. Whether you’re redecorating an entire room or just looking to refresh your space, the key to achieving a professionally styled home lies in understanding the fundamentals. Interior designers use a variety of techniques, tips, and tricks to create spaces that are both functional and beautiful. In this article, we’ll share insider secrets from professional interior designers to help you decorate like a pro and transform your home into a stunning and inviting space.
1. Start with a Vision
Before diving into any decorating project, it’s important to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Professional interior designers always begin their projects by defining the space’s purpose and how it should make people feel. This vision will guide your choices and ensure that the final look is cohesive.
- Define Your Style: Are you drawn to modern, minimalist spaces, or do you prefer a more eclectic, bohemian style? Understanding your personal style will help you choose colors, furniture, and decor that reflect your tastes.
- Consider the Functionality: A living room is typically a space for relaxation and socializing, while a bedroom should promote comfort and rest. Keep the purpose of the room in mind when making design decisions.
2. Focus on Color
One of the most powerful tools interior designers use is color. Color has the ability to set the mood, create visual interest, and influence how a space feels. When decorating, choose colors that enhance the atmosphere you want to create.
- Start with a Neutral Base: Designers often start with neutral tones like white, beige, or gray for walls and larger furniture pieces. These versatile shades provide a clean slate and allow you to experiment with other colors in accessories and accents.
- Add Accent Colors: Accent colors bring personality to a space. Incorporating bold colors through pillows, artwork, rugs, and throws can inject energy into the room without overwhelming it.
- Understand Color Psychology: Colors have psychological effects. For instance, blues and greens promote calmness, while reds and yellows evoke warmth and energy. Use this knowledge to help set the tone for the room.
3. Scale and Proportion Matter
When decorating, it’s important to consider the scale and proportion of your furniture and decor. Professional interior designers have an eye for balance and know how to create harmony in a room by using pieces of the right size and placement.
- Choose the Right-Sized Furniture: Oversized furniture can overwhelm a small room, while tiny pieces can look lost in a spacious room. Make sure to measure the space before purchasing furniture.
- Create Balance: Arrange furniture and decor in a way that creates visual equilibrium. For instance, if you have a large sofa, balance it out with a couple of smaller armchairs. Similarly, add height with floor lamps or tall plants to offset low-profile furniture.
4. Layer Textures and Materials
One of the secrets to creating a professionally designed space is layering different textures and materials. Designers use a mix of fabrics, finishes, and surfaces to add depth and interest to a room.
- Mix Soft and Hard Textures: Combine soft materials like velvet or linen with harder elements like wood, metal, or glass. For example, pairing a plush velvet sofa with a sleek metal coffee table can create a stylish contrast.
- Use Rugs for Warmth: Rugs not only add warmth to a room but also introduce color and texture. Layer rugs on top of each other for a more dynamic look, or choose rugs with interesting patterns and textures to add depth.
- Textural Contrast: Consider using a variety of textures on your pillows, curtains, throws, and upholstery. Combining smooth and rough textures (such as silk and leather) gives the space a more complex and inviting feel.
5. Pay Attention to Lighting
Lighting is essential to creating the right mood in a room, and professional interior designers always carefully consider how lighting affects the space. A room can look drastically different depending on the type and arrangement of lighting.
- Use Multiple Light Sources: Layer your lighting by using ambient (overhead), task (for reading or cooking), and accent (to highlight art or features) lighting. This creates a balanced, well-lit room.
- Play with Light Fixtures: Designers use statement light fixtures like chandeliers, pendant lights, or sconces as design elements. Don’t just focus on functionality—lighting can be an art piece in itself.
- Consider Natural Light: Take advantage of natural light whenever possible. Open up the space by using light, airy curtains or blinds that let sunlight flow in. Arrange furniture to avoid blocking windows and to make the most of daylight.
6. Invest in Quality Pieces
One of the most important lessons interior designers learn is the value of investing in quality pieces. While it’s tempting to buy inexpensive furniture or decor, designers understand that quality items last longer and make a bigger impact in a room.
- Furniture: Choose high-quality, timeless furniture that can withstand wear and tear. Invest in key pieces like a comfortable sofa or a sturdy dining table.
- Art and Decor: Art doesn’t have to be expensive to be impactful. Invest in a few statement pieces that reflect your style, or consider DIY artwork and affordable prints.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Less is more when it comes to decor. Instead of filling every available space, leave room for a few carefully selected pieces that add value to the room.
7. Personalize with Accessories
Professional interior designers understand the importance of personalization in a home. While furniture and color set the foundation, accessories bring a space to life and make it feel uniquely yours.
- Incorporate Personal Touches: Add personal items like family photos, heirlooms, or travel souvenirs. These items add a sense of warmth and character to the room.
- Use Textiles: Pillows, throws, and blankets are an easy and affordable way to add personality to a room. Mix and match patterns, colors, and textures for a layered, curated look.
- Go Green with Plants: Adding greenery with plants or flowers not only purifies the air but also brings life to a space. Choose plants that thrive in the lighting conditions of your room.
8. Embrace Negative Space
In interior design, negative space refers to the areas of a room that are left empty. It’s essential to give the room room to breathe, allowing the eyes to rest and the key design elements to shine.
- Leave Space Around Furniture: Avoid overcrowding a room with too many pieces of furniture or decor. Allow for clear pathways and breathing room around key elements.
- Don’t Overfill the Walls: While artwork and shelves are important, don’t overcrowd the walls with too much decor. Empty space on the walls can help maintain a calm, clean look.
9. Mix Old and New
Professional interior designers often mix vintage or heirloom pieces with modern furniture to create a more dynamic and interesting space. This eclectic approach adds depth and character to a room.
- Blend Styles: Combine modern furniture with antique accessories, or mix a vintage armchair with contemporary throw pillows. The key is to create a sense of balance between the old and the new.
- Repurpose and Upcycle: Look for opportunities to repurpose old furniture or accessories. For example, a vintage dresser can be transformed with a fresh coat of paint or new hardware, adding a unique touch to the room.
10. Edit and Refresh
Lastly, interior designers know the importance of editing and refreshing a space. Rooms evolve over time, and it’s important to periodically reassess the design and make adjustments.
- Declutter Regularly: Keep your space tidy by decluttering frequently. Remove items that no longer serve a purpose or add value to the room.
- Refresh Accessories: Swap out pillows, throws, or artwork to give the room a fresh look without needing to overhaul the entire space. Seasonal changes are a great time to update your decor.
Conclusion
Decorating like a pro is all about mastering the key principles of design and applying them in a way that reflects your personality and lifestyle. By starting with a clear vision, focusing on color, scaling furniture appropriately, layering textures, and considering lighting, you can create a space that feels thoughtfully designed and comfortable. With a few insider tricks and a little creativity, your home can look like it was curated by a professional interior designer. Happy decorating!
