Decorating a room can sometimes feel challenging. It is easy to feel like yo never really get into the level of aesthetics that you see in interior magazines like Elle Decor and AD. There are so many options and so many decisions when it comes to styling a room. From the deciding the size of the furniture to choosing the colors and decorative pieces. Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. In addition, most people also tends to have budget restrictions. And let’s not forget all the furniture you already own!
Pinterest is full of inspiration and ideas, but it can be difficult to understand what the interior designers are actually doing to make a room look so good. I have therefore collected some of the key decorating tips that every interior designer uses when they style a room. This will give a roadmap in how to approach a new room.
Here are 12 decorating tricks that interior designers swear by when styling a room
1. Understand the usage of the space
Before you start thinking of what to add to a room, try to start with thinking about what you want to use the room for. Is it going to be a room where you will be spending time with others? Is it a bedroom that you only need to sleep in or is it a place where you want to spend time in, like reading a book, drinking a cup of tea or watching a movie? Understanding the requirements for a room is always a smart first step. It sets the agenda for what you want to achieve and makes it easier further down the line when you need to start making prioritisations.
2. Declutter. Make room for improvements
The next step is to declutter the room. Try to remove as much as possible from the space. This is a great opportunity to also get organised. Tidy up in old papers and items that has never been of value or use. There is no point of holding on to something that does not serve you. This step will make it easier for you to see the opportunities that are in the room. It’s like starting with a blank canvas.
3. Choose the right furniture size
One of the greatest mistakes many does when decorating a room, is that they bring in furniture that does not really work for the room.This can for example be too large of a bed or too large of a sofa. That the furniture are able to fit into the room does not mean that it’s qualified to be in the room. You should be aware of the proportions of the space and be careful with bringing large items in that does not work for the layout.
The best way to figure what works the best out is to measure up the room and then measure up the furniture. Use masking tape on the floor to draw out where you are planning for the furniture to be placed. This will give you an indication if the furniture is too big or not for the room.
4. Make the colors cohesive
A beautiful room is a place where your eyes can rest. You therefore also have be aware of which colors you bring into a room. One option is to decorate with neutral colors, another option can be to decorate with complimentary colors. Or you can also just also just do it the Scandinavian way of decorating with different shades of white.
The key is to add colors that works well together and balance them throughout the room. Many interior designers swear to have one main color and two accent color with one or or both of the accent colors having a stronger/brighter color.
5. Symmetry and balance
Symmetry is the holy grail to a lot of old architecture. It’s the reason that we still love these old buildings today. Symmetry puts the mind to rest and balances the look. It creates the perfect harmony. Examples of this in interior design can be a fireplace placed on the middle of a wall with identical sofas facing each other in front of the it. It can also be two identical bedside tables on each side of the bed, or it can be two lamps on each side of a cabinet.
6. Understand what’s the focal point
A room needs a focal point, the place where you eyes are led to. This can be a fireplace or a large bed. But it can also be a TV (in a cinema room). Make always sure that the rest of the furniture in the room compliments the focal point. Make also sure that it has enough space around it so it can breathe. If you don’t have a natural focal point, then a large painting or print is a great way to create one.
7. The rule of three
When adding decorative pieces, interior designers tend to use the rule of three. This means to stack three items together. It can be three books in top of each other, it can be three decorative pieces or it can be three photo frames. The ideal approach is to have three pieces that are different in size. This will create a more dynamic look. Position the larger and taller piece in the back and the smaller ones in the front. It is also a great idea to group the items on a tray, this will make the grouping clearer to the eye.
8. Make lighting a priority
It is crazy how much lighting has to say in how you experience a room. Lighting is the number 1 mood maker in a room and should be prioritised. The key to good lighting is to have lots of smaller areas of lights. This can be bedside table lights, a reading light, a floor lamp in a dark corner or light over a bookshelf or over a painting. Do not use the overhead light to more than practical use, for example when you are looking for something. Make also sure that the lightbulbs you buy gives off a warm light and that they have the same type of brightness in every bulb.
9. Adding personal items for a personal touch
The rooms that really stands out are the rooms that tells a story. You should therefore not be afraid to add items that means something to you. An easy option is to add photos, but you can also be creative with adding tickets, letters and treasures from a trip. When adding the items, try to make sure that you still stay on theme for the color scheme of the room. And remember the rule of three.
10. Decorate the walls
Perhaps one of the most neglected part of decorating, is decorating the walls. It can be challenging to find pieces that works for your home to the right price and without looking cheap. Try therefore to be creative with what you can put up on your wall. If you need inspiration, check out this blogpost about 5 ways to decorate your walls.
11. Bring in nature
Plants can have a great effect on how you experience a room. It softens the look but it also improves the air quality in the room. If you are new to plants, I would recommend to start with one. Make sure that you educate yourself on the type of plant you are buying. It will make it easier for you to keep it alive if you know what you have signed up for.
12. Remove something and try again
The key to a really beautiful looking space is to try and try again. Don’t be afraid to move around on things, you can always move it back. Try also to remove items once in a while, this will get your creativity flowing. I have many times moved around on my furniture in my living room just to end up moving it back to how it was before. At least It makes me more confident in my decision for what works the best for the room.
Now it’s up to you to get creative. Don’t feel like you need to buy a lot of new items to follow these rules. The best is actually to start with what you got. This will make you more confident in what you actually need to buy in the future.
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