Are you always looking for ways to reinvent your space? Do you scour design books and magazines for ideas and inspiration? Have you also found that having great ideas isn’t enough because you don’t know where to start? Here are a number of steps that may help to simplify and summarize what to consider when designing your space.

Know Your Space

Before you begin to create a design for your space you need to know as much as you can about your space. Take a look at what elements, like lighting or window views, and architectural features, like walls, columns or light fixtures that may impact your design. Determine how the space will be used and then take measurements to create a floor plan that incorporates the architectural features of your room. Your plan should also incorporate the lighting source and window views and use them to their best advantage.

Organize a Look Book

Your “look book” can be a folder, a three-ring binder or an album that contains ideas for your room design. Look through magazines and tear out designs that inspire you or take photos of rooms you like. It doesn’t need to be a complete room either. If you like a furniture placement, window treatment or an accessory like a unique picture frame, clip the picture and add it to your look book. When you start considering elements of your design plan, you have ideas to inspire you.

Design Furniture Placement

Furniture placement in your room is probably the most important aspect when designing your space. Your furniture should be arranged in a comfortable well functioning manner. You also need to consider proportion so you have a blend of pieces for a cohesive smooth flow to the design. Your first step in furniture placement should be to take room measurements, draw your room on a piece of graph paper, measure your furniture and cut out appropriate size pieces of paper to arrange and re-arrange on your graph paper. This will help you create a floor plan without having to constantly move furniture until you hit on the perfect placement.

Think in Layers

Whether you realize it or not your room has three layers; the floor, the walls and the ceiling. You need to take each layer into consideration when designing a room. Creating balance between the layers is essential for a cohesive look and feel. Consider that you can’t do one without the others and include all in your design budget.

Have Fun With Style

Are you a one style person or are you adventurous in your decorating? Many people prefer just one style for their home, but there are many others who enjoy mixing it up for an “eclectic” look or a mix of styles in one room. Determine which style you prefer or mix it up with a piece of furniture from one style and other piece of furniture in a different style. If you remember proportion in your furnishings and accessories, your styles should blend effortlessly for a beautifully decorated room.

Color Considerations

Color is a key element when it comes to interior design. It can be the difference between a nice room and a truly outstanding, memorable room. Don’t be afraid of color, even if it is just an accent wall in an otherwise neutral room. If you want your room to have a special feel, learn how colors affect moods and choose a color that will enhance the feel you want in your room. As with anything else in interior design, you need to maintain color balance within your home.

Consider Pattern and Texture

Don’t be intimidated by patterns and textures. When done right a single pattern or mix of several patterns and different textures can add excitement and warmth to your home. Again, balance is key to pulling off the right effect, so experiment until you have the look you want.

Don’t Forget Art and Accessories

Art and accessories are an essential finishing touch for any interior decorating. A focal point of a large picture frame that complements your decor or the use of unique accessories will make your room look finished and balanced.

View With a Critical Eye

Once you have completed your room design, step back and view it with a critical eye. Determine if you met your design goal with the best use of space, placement of furniture for ease of traffic flow, balance in color and pattern and if you have the finishing touches just right. If not, reassess and rearrange where necessary and then sit back and enjoy the beauty and comfort of a job well done in designing your space.

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Category: Arts and Crafts
Keywords: design your own space, design your own room