Last updated on November 30th, 2021
Putting together an elegant space is far from easy. You might have vague ideas of what you want, but not having a solid plan before you begin might lead to expensive mistakes. Like a shade of paint much darker than you wanted or a furniture piece on sale that you don’t have space for at home.
To make sure you don’t end up with missteps in your interior design process, here are the top 11 things you should consider, before setting out to have your interiors done.
1. Consider the purpose of the room
This should be the first step in your design process. And it might not be a straightforward choice like a dining room or a study, which have clearly chalked out purposes and design elements. If it’s a living room you’re designing, for instance, it’s important to consider everything that will happen in that space. Whether the space will be used to host game nights, or to have friends over to catch a movie or a football match, or will it just be a nice sit-out for an occasional guest to have a cup of tea in.
2. Plan a budget
The next step is to figure out what you set out to do with the space. What will make you happy? Just changing throw pillows and drapes to spruce a space up? Or would you rather change the whole space and stun your guests? Or are you starting to design a home from scratch? Whatever it is that you’re after, you will need to plan it without having to break the bank. You don’t want to waste money on things that’ll not solve your basic purpose in the end.
3. Think about the layout
Each space has unique dimensions that you need to workaround. You don’t want to buy something that looks totally out of place, is poorly positioned, or something that makes the space feel cramped. A dining table too big to get through your door, for instance. Or a couch that juts so far out that it leaves little space to walk in the room.
4. Remember, free space is important too
Free space is as important to a setting as are the things placed in it. Remember, your goal shouldn’t be to fill the room. A spacious setting can make you feel peaceful while a crowded setting can leave you restless. Plan to leave enough space for traffic and possible future additions.
5. Don’t get furniture that’s too big
There are some large pieces of furniture that are luxurious and make a statement. And then there are others that overwhelm a space. Make sure you’re making the right choice. Measuring your space and buying for it will ensure you do. Furniture should fit like a piece of a puzzle in your space. And make sure you plan for the future when you invest in furniture. Also, sometimes, a piece that you order and need to wait for might be a whole lot better than a showroom piece that can be sent home the same day.
6. Decide on a color scheme
Deciding on a color scheme for a room allows you to create a space that has a cohesive look. It’s not just walls in a setting that build the color scheme. There are many other components that contribute to it as well, like the drapes, throw pillows, rugs, furniture, artwork, etc. Decide on the mood you want to set in the room. A bedroom for instance will need calming colors while a kitchen or a dining space can sport energetic and vibrant hues.
7. Keep the theme constant
All spaces in your home are connected to each other. So, don’t go decorating a room in a bubble. Keep the look consistent across your house. Don’t have an understated neutral setting lead into a loud neon one, for instance. Use transitions. And how would you know if you’ve got it right? Just walk through your home and see if all areas seem like they belong together.
8. Try not to be overly trendy
When it comes to the anchoring pieces in a room, the furniture, for instance, go with timeless pieces that won’t go out of trend anytime soon. Remember that while accessories are swappable, furniture is not. Invest in things that you love and won’t get tired of looking at, no matter what décor style they embrace.
And most importantly, don’t get matching furniture pieces. Let each piece be unique and vibrant. The idea is to create a space you love, not recreate a showroom setting.
9. Think about lighting
Lighting, depending on how it’s done, can make or break the feel of a room. It’s important to have different kinds of lights scattered in a setting to be able to control the amount and the kind of light you use in the area. Don’t leave the room looking dark and dull with heavy curtains and dark walls or overwhelmingly bright on the eyes come nightfall.
10. Accessorize at the end
Start the design process with the most important pieces. You can then choose accessories that go with them. It makes more sense to find a vase that goes with your couch, than vice versa! And it’s wise to limit being trendy to accessories. That way you won’t end up with an out-of-trend couch or coffee table sitting in your living room, just because you paid a lot to get it when it was in trend.
11. Remember to give it your personality
The most important thing about a room is personalization. There’s no point in being trendy, as trends fade sooner than you think. Let your décor be meaningful to you. Your décor can’t be about impressing your guest alone. More importantly, it’s where you spend your life. You need to love being in it. So, dust those vacation snaps that make you happy and your prized collections, and put them on display!
Happy decorating folks!
