The Decorating Advice You Didn’t Know You Needed
The Decorating Advice You Didn’t Know You Needed
Creating a beautifully decorated interior that makes a good impression on your guest is something we all strive for—it’s great to feel like everyone who walks into you home feels welcome and even a little impressed. Some people are naturals when it comes to design and decorating—they have an eye for design. But if you’re more likely to pour over Pinterest boards, design magazines, and even look to your friends’ homes for inspiration for your space, I get that.
There is a subtle art to decorating a room. It needs to look great and function in a way that fits your needs. From hanging artwork to picking colors, positioning curtains and even planning your shelves, interior designers have a toolbox of tricks that take what might first be seen as basic and turn it into something fabulous.
I want to help you take your home decor to the next level. So today, I’m opening up my toolbox and sharing some of the trade’s best-kept secrets. I’m excited to give you some of my favorite decorating advice—it’s like having an interior designer on speed dial!
5 Decor Tips From My Interior Designer Toolbox
Set a good foundation
When you are decorating a room, it is best practice to start with the biggest pieces of furniture in the room before you get into the details of accent furniture, artwork, textiles, and accessories. For example, if you are decorating your living room, it’s best to have your couch and accent chairs in place before you start to pick out an accent pillow. This helps you set a solid foundation that you can build upon. And never forget the importance of scales—don’t select a harvest table for your eat-in kitchen.
Live in your space
When you are decorating your space, plan everything based on how you use your space. It’s great to have beautiful things in your home but if you are afraid to use them because they are so beautiful, you’re missing out. If you love entertaining or hosting invest in pieces that will provide enough comfort and seating for your guests. For example: if you have the space, mirror 2 sofas or accent chairs.
Harness the art of display
Have some shelves you're hoping to decorate? It’s easy to just fill shelves with books and be done with it. But there is a way to balance practical storage while still creating a beautiful feature. Use complementary colors and tones, and be sure to include plants or foliage of some kind. Finally, aim for one-third accessories, two-thirds books, and display books both vertically and horizontally.
Take advantage of the power of three
Ask any designer what the magic number is and they will all say “three”. Grouping an odd number of items creates visual interest that is missing in symmetrical, even-numbered arrangements. Try adding three candles, three books, or even three plants to a coffee table and see what a difference it makes.
Never underestimate the power of paint
A fresh coat of paint is like getting a brand-new pair of jeans—it can completely change the look of a room. Whether you’re painting a wall or giving an old piece of furniture a new look, paint can really give your space new life.
My toolbox is a little bigger than 5 tips, so stay tuned for next weeks’ post - I’ll be sharing a few more tried and true design tips to take your home to the next level!
