The best rules of thumb for decorating your home

Lily Cichanowicz Lily Cichanowicz
Chalet Gstaad, Ardesia Design Ardesia Design Rustic style living room
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There is an immense wealth of knowledge available at our fingertips with the ability to give you the ins and outs of interior design. You can delve into the intricacies of Feng Shui or fine tune the minimalist style in your apartment with only a few clicks. This is certainly a wonderful aspect of living in contemporary times. Yet it can also get a little bit overwhelming. There are so many things to consider simultaneously in order to construct a stylistically sound decorative scheme for each room in the home. That is why today we are here to explain some of the basic rules of thumb that will help you to decorate your home without overthinking it. Here are 6 simple tips to keep in mind when designing your interiors.

Choose lighting carefully

Lighting goes a long way in any interior. It has a tremendous impact in setting the ambiance for each space in the home. No one wants to return from work to a house that is over-illuminated in harsh fluorescent light nor do you want to have poor lighting in a place like the kitchen where you prepare food. It can take some experimentation to strike the right balance in your home, but luckily doing so is mostly an intuitive process. If the lighting feels good to you and allows you to perform necessary functions within the given space then you’ve probably found an effective lighting solution. Something else to keep in mind on the topic of lighting is that natural lighting is always welcome. Enhance the natural light in your home by minding your window treatments, colour schemes, and mirrors. Recessed lighting like we can see in this living room by Ardesia Design will give the home a cosy glow.

Exploit all the spaces of the house

Next, no matter the style you are striving for, it’s essential that you effectively utilise the space you’re given. Leaving unused space is cheating yourself out of potential to enhance your lifestyle! If you have spare room, you can transform it into a creatively stimulating hobby space or productive home office. Even if you don’t have an entire room to spare, many of us have nooks and crannies that go unused. One great way to use an empty corner in your home or apartment is to add a cosy reading space. All you need is a comfy chair and a good reading lamp. You could also use the space for a small study with the addition of a table and office chair. Don’t forget to usethe space beneath the stairs! It can work as a perfect storage space or even the site of a mini bar.

Choose colour schemes carefully

Another important element to any interior design is the colour scheme. In particular, it’s critical that you put a little bit of thought into the colours you choose to incorporate into each room. For one, you don’t want to choose neutrals that clash. A chocolate brown timber bookcase won’t necessarily do so well next to a black metal worktable. In this way, try to keep a general colour palette in mind. There are always exceptions to any given rule of colouring, but it is good to weave a common thread into the space to make the choices of colour feel purposeful. In general, neutral tones will create calm and welcoming spaces. They work well in living areas and bedrooms. Cool colours are also connected to tranquillity. Dark colours can add vibrancy, and sober tones will bring elegance. Use bold colours consciously and sparingly.

Take care of the details: the ornaments

People pour a lot of time and money into state of the art kitchens, luxurious bathrooms, and lavish living spaces. No matter the sophistication and style that exists in your house, the only way to make it feel like a home is to add personal touches. That is why it’s important to put some care into the details with decorations and ornaments. Choose things that speak to your inner self, are inspiring, conjure good memories, or make you think of loved ones. There is no wrong way to accessorise with items that show off your personality. You can add these things to a bookshelf or mantelpiece. Alternatively you can display them in their own china cabinet or other type of display case. We love the idea of creating little clusters of decorations like we can see here.

Avoid mix of styles that don’t match

Mixing and matching different colours, textures, and furnishings is very in right now. It helps to make the space more dynamic and visually interesting. When a room is filled with furniture of an identical set it can make the space feel contrived and stuffy. Still, it is important to be sure that there is some common ground between the different styles. For instance, in this room we see tropical accent pillows, a wool blanket, a pink chair with a blue velvet cushion a modern lamp, an upholstered headboard, and a vintage nightstand. These things work well together because they share a similar colour scheme. Alternatively, the items within the room can come in different colours but be made of the same material or possess a similar style of design.

Think essential and make all the spaces practical but comfortable

At the end of the day, the things that matter most about your home is that you feel comfortable in it and that it is functional. If your kitchen is pristine and stylish but you don’t feel like you could ever make a big meal there, then it isn’t really worth the aesthetic. Similarly, if you have a beautiful white suede sofa but also have pets and young children, the stress in keeping the sofa off limits will only bring you vexation. It’s crucial that you consider your needs in a realistic manner when making design investments into your home. It will ensure your happiness and peace of mind down the road. This living room is done in soft hues, which make it calm and comfy while it is also spacious and filled with durable furnishings.

For more advice about the dos and don'ts of interior design, check out these common mistakes to avoid when furnishing your home or apartment. Happy decorating! 

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