How to design a room in 12 simple steps
Whether you don’t have the budget to hire an interior designer or you simply like the idea of doing it yourself, designing a room from scratch can be intimidating to the uninitiated. Keep in mind that interior design is more of an art than a science and there are no hard and fast rules on how to decorate a room. But if you’re looking for a road map, this start-to-finish guide will help you visualize all the steps needed to beautifully design your space.
1. Set the mood
Instead of asking yourself what you want your space to look like, ask yourself what you want it to look like and let it guide you towards colors, textures, furniture choices and decorations. A light, well-ventilated Zen retreat might suggest minimal furniture and natural materials. An energizing and relaxed home space can include bold colors and patterns. Focusing on mood rather than a particular style or trend will help you create an eclectic space that works for you.
2. Get inspired
Check out your favorite social media channels, interior design magazines, books and websites for inspiration. Think about where you like to gather and analyze why. If you like mood boards, don’t hesitate to create one. If you live alone, this is definitely the best opportunity to get to know yourself a little better. If you live with other people, this is an opportunity to collaborate on a shared space that honors everyone in the home.
3. Be real
Rather than striving for an ambitious vision of what you think your life should be, design your space based on how you currently live. If you have rambunctious children or pets, choose fabrics and upholstery surfaces that can take a beating and still look good. If you live alone and rarely entertain, there’s no need to take up space with a six-person dining table. If you work from home, move that makeshift desk in the corner of the living room to the guest room that’s only used during vacations. And before you buy anything, set a realistic budget that will help you prioritize expenses along the way.
4. Disorder
If you’re renovating, start by getting rid of everything you don’t use, need or love. If you’re designing an empty room from scratch, think before adding anything. There’s room in every space for personal items and things that matter, but successful interior design starts with embracing the essentials and building from there.
5. Map it out
There are many free online room planning tools and home design software options if you want to create a floor plan, but space planning doesn’t have to be too technical. Sketch layout ideas on paper or mark the placement of furniture with tape to get a sense of scale and flow. Before purchasing a single piece of furniture, measure your space. Measure twice. Otherwise, you may find that the sofa you ordered is too large to fit through your front door or too small for the living room.
6. Choose a color palette
Whether you want to keep it neutral or have your mind set on an eye-catching color palette, deciding ahead of time will help you create a cohesive look. Neutral environments can be livened up with easily changing accessories. If you’ve decided that your bedroom is an ode to green, pink or blue, choose three complementary shades to keep it interesting. If you love the look of an all-white room, sticking to shades of white allows you to easily mix and match furniture styles and eras.
7. Start with the finishes
If you’re aiming for a makeover rather than a renovation, consider how to take advantage of the room’s existing flooring, wall color and fixtures to beautify and personalize the space without renovating it. If you’re starting with an empty room, redo the floors, paint the walls, add tile, wallpaper or paneling to the walls, or install furniture before bringing in furniture and accessories.
8. Choose anchor pieces
When designing a living room, focus on your anchor, which is usually a sofa, before worrying about cushions. Making your largest, most expensive purchases first will help you not skimp on the quality of heavy items, help you maintain a realistic sense of your budget, and help you visualize how much room you have for additional furniture once the major pieces are installed.
9. Select Secondary Furniture
Once you’ve chosen the perfect sofa, start looking at coffee tables to determine what sizes and styles work best or if an oversized ottoman would work best. If you have chosen a rustic wooden table in the dining room, add a contrast with contemporary metal chairs. Complement a modern upholstered headboard with vintage lights or nightstands.
10. Choose carpets, curtains and fabrics
Now that you have an idea of the flow of the room, you can choose rugs, curtains and textiles such as bedding, throws and decorative pillows. These will complement your anchor pieces and add color, pattern, texture and interest.
11. Turn it on
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Paying attention to lighting is one of the keys to a successful layout. Maximize natural light for the day and add plenty of layering options for the evening, from functional lighting to cozy table lamps or ambient sconces, to sculptural pendant lighting that serves as decoration. Make sure you illuminate all four corners of the room to avoid creating shadows and promote a sense of well-being after dark.
12. Accessorize
When you finally have all the essentials, take a step back and ask yourself what’s missing. Choose and place artwork or decorative mirrors. Layer additional decorative pillows and throws. Elegant shelves and tables with design books, candles, decorative objects, plants or precious souvenirs. This is your chance to add texture with personal touches that will bring the room to life and make it feel like home.
Bottom line, it’s not that «difficult» to design a room, but it takes time and patience (and usually money). But it’s worth it when you come home to a space you love. So don’t hesitate to use this guide to design a room that looks great.