Simple Design Principles to Follow When Decorating Your Home

But good interior design relies on a set of principles that hold true despite the ever-changing trends. Any expert interior designer will tell you that to create a space that’s welcoming, aesthetically pleasing and in keeping with your own personal style, you can’t forget these guidelines.

You don’t need an interior designer to refresh your space, though. You can do that on your own when you adhere to the most basic design principles. If you’re thinking about giving your abode a facelift, it’s important to do your research first.

Here are six fundamental design guidelines that will help you to update your space with ease. The result will be a look that should withstand the test of time overall even as you tweak it with contemporary pieces over the years.

• 1. Enlist Odd Numbers

  Many professional interior designers rely on the Rule of Threes or the Rule of Odd Numbers to create visually appealing spaces. The basic philosophy of this decorating style is in its name.

  When you group décor elements in a group of three, or any odd number, this feature naturally draws the eye and pleases the onlooker. So, when it comes to vases, knick-knacks, or any other small decorations, try to create trios to make your space look chic and artfully arranged.

Using Decorative Elements to Highlight Look and Decor
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• 2. Designate a Focal Point

  Every room has a focal point, either one featured intentionally or an unintentional focal point. Quite simply, a focal point is the first place that the eye goes when someone walks into a room.

  As a careful designer, you want to be in control of this focal point — so don’t let it be a patch of missing paint. Instead, find the biggest feature in the room, like a bookcase or a fireplace, and brainstorm ways to make it a beautiful focal point worthy of its starring role in the room.

• 3. Place the TV According to the Space

  Most homes in the U.S. have at least one TV, so chances are pretty good that there’s one in your home. Depending on the layout of your room, it can be tricky to place the TV in a way that complements the rest of the décor instead of detracting from it.

  So, keep a few things in mind when you decide where to put the TV. For instance, if the room has lots of windows, don’t hang your TV too close to the window or you risk a glare.

Using decor to frame your entertainment center
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• 4. Pick and Arrange Furniture Wisely

  One of the most important elements in any room is the furniture. Before you start to rearrange the pieces, you have, make sure that they’re appropriate for the room.

  If it’s a smaller space, you don’t want to stuff an oversized sectional into it — that’ll make your entire home feel smaller. Find seating, end tables, and other pieces of furniture that make your space seem full, but not cramped, and arrange them to allow an organic flow of traffic throughout the room.

• 5. Look at the Lighting

  Lighting is usually a matter of personal preference, but it can really make or break the look of a room. For instance, if you opt for bright, exposed lights in the living room, it will be difficult to unwind under their glare. Conversely, if you go for soft, dim lighting in the bathroom, doing your makeup or styling your hair in the morning becomes a much harder chore. So, pick overhead lighting and lamps that emanate the proper amount of light for the room.

Selective pendant lighting to highlight a focal point
view photo topic – copyright image by 123rf.com

• 6. Consider the Mood of the Room

  All the design principles mentioned above will help to guide you toward a designated mood for your room, but it’s helpful to have this in mind before you even begin to redecorate. Do you want the space to be somewhere you go to relax and chill (like a living room), or an enclave where you can block out the world and get down to work (such as a home office)?

  The answer to this question is important so that you can choose design elements that work toward your goal.

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Regardless of your decorating style, it’s easy to find ways to incorporate these basic design principles into your home. It’s just a matter of taking a critical look at each space before you even begin to revamp it and add new, trendy pieces.

So, the next time you start itching to do a home makeover, stop and take a beat. Run through these six design guidelines as you start the planning process and make sure you keep them in mind every step of the way.

Image Credit: Pixabay

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