Start With The Basics
Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or you’ve lived in a place for years and want to make upgrades, there are some principles of interior design you can follow to get your place looking the way you want. We share the most important interior design basics to make the most of your living space without breaking the bank in the process.
Space
Start with looking at the room to estimate how much space you can afford to fill up with furniture and other furnishings. Can you and your family and guests move around comfortably in the room without tripping over each other?
Functionality
Before choosing paint schemes and furniture positioning, make sure your furniture is comfortable and practical. For example, the coffee table should be at the same level as the seat cushion on your couch. Do you have to crane your arm over the couch armrest to reach the book or drink on the end table? It’s these kinds of things you want to consider for maximum functionality.
Light
Consider how much natural light the room gets. Does the room have a west-facing window that lets in the late-afternoon sun? In that case, it may affect the positioning of the couch, houseplants, TV, etc. For artificial lighting, consider whether it’s worth it to get floor lamps for your living room. A good overhead light with a dimmer-switch is always a good bet as it gives only the light you need, and can help you save on electricity.
Walls
If the room has a lot of open wall space, you’re most likely going to want to cover a lot of that with some kind of artwork. This is always a matter of personal taste, but the images you mount should be at least hung at the eye level of someone standing up. They should also be spaced at a regular distance from each other. Ideally, you want the pictures to blend or contrast well with the wall paint, which brings us to the next consideration.
Cohesion
Though tastes and budgets vary, it’s generally a good idea to seek some kind of unity or pattern between your wall paint color, trim paint color, furniture, window coverings, and wall art. There are no absolute hard rules about this, and you’re always free to try different things, but balance between function and taste as much as you can.
The Big Picture
Though you want guests to be impressed with your interior living space, remember that it’s ultimately you and your family who’ll be spending the most time there. Your living space is not a showroom, but a place to feel at home. Making the right choices based on the principles we’ve outlined above will put you on the way to having a place you look forward to coming home to.
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