Planning Your Space Before You Buy Anything Is Key
Measuring Your Space
Imagine buying a gorgeous, plush sofa online, only to discover upon delivery that it completely overwhelms your living room, leaving you barely any space to move around. Or envision falling in love with a vibrant rug in a store, only to find that its clashing colors completely ruin the carefully curated color scheme you had in mind. These scenarios are all too common, and they highlight the critical importance of planning your space before you make any purchases.
Why is planning so essential? Because it helps you avoid costly mistakes, ensures that furniture fits properly, and ultimately allows you to create a cohesive design that flows seamlessly. Rushing into decorating without a plan is like embarking on a road trip without a map – you might get somewhere interesting eventually, but you’re far more likely to get lost along the way.
So, how do you effectively plan your space? The first step is to measure your space accurately. Don’t rely on guesswork; grab a measuring tape and note down the dimensions of each room you plan to decorate. Pay attention to the height of the ceilings, the width of doorways, and the placement of windows and electrical outlets.
Creating a Floor Plan
Next, create a floor plan. Even a rough sketch can be incredibly helpful. Draw the outline of the room and then start experimenting with different furniture arrangements. Consider traffic flow – how do people typically move through the space? You want to ensure that there are clear pathways and that furniture doesn’t obstruct movement. There are online tools and apps available that can help you create more sophisticated floor plans, but a simple hand-drawn sketch is perfectly sufficient for getting started.
Considering Functionality and Style
Beyond the physical dimensions, think about the functionality of the space. What activities will take place in this room? Will it be used for relaxing, entertaining, working, or a combination of all three? This will inform your furniture choices and the overall layout. A living room designed primarily for relaxing will require comfortable seating, soft lighting, and perhaps a cozy fireplace. A home office, on the other hand, will need a functional desk, ergonomic chair, and ample storage.
Finally, consider the overall style you want to achieve. Are you drawn to modern minimalism, rustic charm, bohemian eclecticism, or traditional elegance? Having a clear vision of your desired style will guide your furniture, color, and accessory choices.
By taking the time to plan your space before you buy anything, you’ll avoid costly mistakes, ensure a cohesive design, and create a room that is both beautiful and functional.
Choosing a Color Palette and Sticking To It (Mostly)
The Power of Color
Color is one of the most powerful tools in a decorator’s arsenal. It can evoke emotions, create ambiance, and dramatically transform the appearance of a space. However, choosing colors haphazardly can lead to a chaotic and disjointed look. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a color palette and stick to it, at least as a starting point.
Creating Harmony
A well-defined color palette creates a sense of harmony and cohesiveness, tying the entire room together. It provides a framework for your decorating decisions, ensuring that your furniture, accessories, and artwork all complement each other.
Selecting Your Colors
How do you choose a color palette? A great starting point is to identify a base color – a dominant color that will be used throughout the room. This could be a neutral color like white, beige, or gray, or it could be a bolder color like blue, green, or even a soft pink.
Once you’ve chosen your base color, add two or three accent colors. These colors should complement your base color and add visual interest to the space. Consider using the sixty-thirty-ten rule: Use your dominant color for sixty percent of the room, your secondary color for thirty percent, and your accent color for ten percent. This rule provides a helpful guideline for balancing the colors in your palette.
Considering Mood
Think about the mood you want to create. Calming blues and greens are ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms, while energetic yellows and oranges can brighten up kitchens and living rooms. Deeper, more saturated colors can add drama and sophistication to dining rooms and home offices.
However, the “mostly” part of this rule is important! Decorating should be fun and expressive. Don’t be afraid to introduce pops of unexpected color or experiment with different shades and textures within your chosen palette. A little bit of spontaneity can add personality and prevent your space from feeling too rigid or predictable.
Don’t Neglect Lighting: A Bright Idea
The Importance of Lighting
Lighting is often an afterthought in home decorating, but it’s arguably one of the most important elements. Good lighting can transform a room, enhancing its beauty, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and improving its functionality. Poor lighting, on the other hand, can make a space feel gloomy, cramped, and uninviting.
Lighting affects mood, functionality, and the overall appearance of a space. The key to effective lighting is to layer your lighting. This means incorporating different types of lighting to achieve a well-balanced and functional space.
Types of Lighting
Start with ambient lighting, also known as general lighting. This is the primary source of light in the room and provides overall illumination. Ambient lighting can be achieved with overhead fixtures like chandeliers, recessed lights, or ceiling fans with lights.
Next, add task lighting, which is designed to provide focused light for specific activities. Task lighting is essential in areas where you need to see clearly, such as kitchens, home offices, and reading nooks. Examples of task lighting include desk lamps, under-cabinet lighting, and reading lamps.
Finally, incorporate accent lighting to highlight specific features of the room, such as artwork, architectural details, or decorative objects. Accent lighting adds drama and visual interest to the space. Examples of accent lighting include spotlights, track lighting, and wall sconces.
Natural Light and Bulbs
Don’t forget to consider natural light. Maximize the amount of natural light that enters your room by keeping windows clean and unobstructed. Use sheer curtains or blinds to filter the light without blocking it completely.
Choose the right types of light bulbs for different purposes. Warm white light bulbs create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while cool white light bulbs provide brighter and more focused light. Consider using dimmer switches to adjust the intensity of your lighting depending on the time of day and your needs.
Scale and Proportion Matter: Getting the Balance Right
Understanding Scale and Proportion
Scale and proportion are fundamental design principles that refer to the size and relationship of objects within a space. Getting the scale and proportion right is crucial for creating visual balance and preventing a room from feeling cramped, empty, or just plain “off.”
Why It’s Important
Why does scale and proportion matter? Because it affects how we perceive the space. Furniture that is too large for a room can make it feel cramped and overwhelming, while furniture that is too small can make it feel empty and uninviting. Similarly, artwork that is hung too high or too low can look awkward and out of place.
Achieving Balance
To achieve good scale and proportion, consider the size of your furniture in relation to the size of the room. In a small living room, opt for a smaller sofa and a couple of armchairs instead of a large sectional. In a larger living room, you can get away with larger pieces of furniture, but be sure to balance them with smaller pieces to avoid overwhelming the space.
Hang artwork at the right height. A general rule of thumb is to hang artwork so that the center of the piece is at eye level, which is typically around five to five and a half feet from the floor.
Mix and match different sizes and shapes for visual interest. Don’t be afraid to pair a large sofa with smaller side tables or a tall floor lamp with a low coffee table. The contrast in sizes and shapes will add depth and dimension to the room.
Avoid overcrowding a small space. Less is often more when it comes to decorating. Choose a few key pieces of furniture and accessories and leave plenty of open space. This will make the room feel more airy and inviting.
Personalize Your Space: Make it Uniquely You
The Importance of Personalization
Ultimately, your home should be a reflection of your personality and your unique style. It should be a place where you feel comfortable, relaxed, and inspired. This means personalizing your space with elements that you love and that tell your story.
Why is personalization so important? Because it transforms a house into a home. It’s what makes your space unique and sets it apart from all the other homes in the world. It’s what makes it truly yours.
Adding Personal Touches
Incorporate artwork, photographs, and personal collections. Display your favorite paintings, prints, and photographs on the walls. Showcase your collections of books, pottery, or vintage items on shelves or display cabinets. These items will add character and personality to the room and will spark conversation.
Choose pieces that you love, even if they don’t perfectly match. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles and textures. A little bit of eclecticism can add charm and interest to your space.
Add plants and other natural elements. Plants bring life and energy into a room. They also help to purify the air and create a more calming and relaxing atmosphere. Incorporate plants in various sizes and shapes, such as potted plants, hanging plants, and floral arrangements.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and textures. Try layering different textures, such as soft rugs, velvet cushions, and linen curtains. This will add depth and dimension to the room and make it feel more inviting.
Putting it All Together: Your Journey to a Beautiful Home
So, there you have it: five essential home decorating rules to guide you on your journey to creating a beautiful and functional space. Remember to plan your space before you buy anything, choose a color palette and stick to it, don’t neglect lighting, pay attention to scale and proportion, and personalize your space with elements that you love.
By following these rules, you’ll be well on your way to creating a home that reflects your personal style, provides a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, and makes you feel truly happy to be there.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, to break the rules occasionally, and to trust your own instincts. After all, decorating is a personal journey, and the most important thing is to create a space that you love. Now go forth and transform your house into the home of your dreams! Sign up for our newsletter for more decorating tips and inspiration.
