Here's some FREE Interior Design Advice
7 steps to successful interior design
If you’re ready to get started on a home update or renovation but are finding it hard to get started, here is the best free advice I’ve given when it comes to Interior Design.
Whatever you do, don’t go out and buy that sofa until you’ve read this post.
One of the reasons that rooms delivered by Interior Designers look so great is that we plan meticulously. We may start with a mood board, but there is much more to consider, and the details make a successful interior design.
“Shopping without a scale furniture plan and mood board is the fastest way to blow your budget without achieving your goal.”
You want your space to be beautiful, and you’re seeing sale ads on TV. My advice?
Don’t do anything. Yet.
Making that first purchase isn’t the hard part. It’s all the decisions that come next that will cause you to stumble. Starting with a clear plan keeps you focused on the end result and keeps your budget on track. You won’t make expensive mistakes if you know exactly the pieces that you’re after.
“You find a piece you love AND it’s on SALE!
IF you can describe how it fits into your vision, and confirm that it’s the exact right size, shape and colour to fit the space and your design, THEN go ahead.... ”
Of course you love it! When you’re standing inside a furniture store, everything looks amazing and you want to buy it all.
For an experienced eye, assessing colour, pattern, contrast, balance, scale etc is easy. If that’s not your thing, then don’t attempt to do it on the fly.
Knowing the exact shape, size, colour and texture of the sofa in your vision, means that you won’t get it home and have buyer’s regret.
“By answering a few simple questions (and writing down your answers) you can create a plan that will see you through the process from beginning to end”
1 - DEFINE THE PURPOSE
Form follows function. What are you really using the space for? Beyond how you’d like it to look, write down your must haves.
Are you eating and drinking in here? Think side and coffee tables.
Children? Pets? A pet bed? Small people furniture?
How about seating? How much storage?
Are you reading, writing? Think about lighting.
Watching TV? Think placement and glare.
“All of your answers will help you to create a list of must haves for the room so that it will function properly for you.”
2- DRAW A FLOOR PLAN - TO SCALE!
When you’re really clear about the room’s purpose, make a list of furniture. Don’t worry too much about size at first. Once you’ve listed what you need then draw a floor plan and measure it out. Once you see how much space you have versus what you want to put into the room, you can think about scale and ways to lift furniture off the floor to create a sense of space.
“The size and placement of the furniture you choose can make or break the feeling you’re trying to create.”
This step is crucial to understand if everything will fit and if you’re making the right impact as people enter
Do I have everything I need?
What’s the focal point people first see?
Can people move around freely?
“Knowing the maximum width, height and depth of furniture that you need will make your “keep or toss” decisions easier and shopping a more targeted activity.”
3 - UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU LIKE
Create a Pinterest board and pin rooms that you love. When you’ve pinned at least 10-15 room ideas you can review what you’ve selected.
What colours have you pinned the most?
Is there a design style that’s emerging?
What elements and materials are most common in your pins?
Look at your images and identify two things that attract you the most, and write them down. Ask yourself what’s drawing your attention.
Is it the empty space or the deliberate placement of lots of furniture?
Is it the displays of accessories or their colours or materials?
Is it a particular piece of furniture? The size, fabric or shape?
The dark moody walls? The overall colour? The contrast of colour?
The Artwork? The rug?
“Being able to critically assess an image and understand why you like it will help you to plan, shop and execute your design with deliberate precision. ”
4 - CHOOSE YOUR MATERIALS
The combination of colour, texture, and material finishes adds interest to your room. Think about choosing a few elements that you can repeat.
Dark or pale timber
Marble or stone
Frosted or clear glass
Brass, copper, or brushed metal
“Subtly repeating patterns, shapes, colour, and textures is a way to create cohesion. Strategically placing objects allows the eye to move around the room in a directed way.”
5 - CHOOSE YOUR COLOURS
When it comes to colour, your selections are aimed to create a well-balanced room as well as determine the energy and vibe that you want. Start by choosing three paint colour swatches. Line them up side-by-side and take a photo. Turn the photo to greyscale to see if there is enough difference between the tones. If you can’t see light and dark between the colours, you haven’t created enough contrast.
“Even in a monochrome colour scheme contrast is important to create visual impact.”
Once you’ve selected the colours you like, you want to use them in the right proportion. Until you gain confidence, the 60-30-10 rule may be helpful.
The dominant colour should be used in 60% of the space. Include the wall colour as well as flooring or large rugs, and large-scale furniture like your sofa in your calculation.
The secondary colour is used in 30% of the room in furniture, textiles, lighting and art.
A contrasting colour is used in the remaining 10%.
The 60-30-10 concept is only a guideline and can help as a starting point. Building from a palette of three colours which vary in tone and shade is a start. How far you take it is totally up to you.
“For a contemporary look choose fewer colours. For a bohemian look choose more.”
6 - PULL EVERYTHING TOGETHER INTO A MOOD-BOARD
7 - CREATE A SHOPPING LIST
Now you know exactly what you are looking for, create your shopping list and only search for items that fit within your design.
Your search will reveal a realistic budget.
Wall colour and /or finish and/or material
Furniture shape, size, colour, and style
Curtains and blinds
Rugs and carpet
Accessories and plants
Art
Lighting
Having thought through your design from beginning to end, you now have your final design.
“The last but most important thing to do is to add a crazy piece of art or an accessory that wasn’t in the design but is uniquely YOU!”