New houses are like a blank slate that decorators love to deal with. A house where the occupants haven't moved into yet is a little like looking at an empty page for a writer - there's a LOT of potential in there, but it takes a special kind of person to figure out how to bring that potential to life.
The Spruce mentions that a well-designed room feels complete and well-put-together. Because of this, designing a room requires more than just tossing a few things that share a theme into it.
In-depth design requires the homeowner to take a look at what they have to work with. Deciding on a style is a perfect place to start. Will each room be in its own form? Will they share elements across the entire house? Will there be a single overarching idea that links all the places together? These questions help to build a base for what you want your rooms to look like. It's tempting to dive in and decorate, but when you do that, you risk having a place that looks like it belongs somewhere...just not in your house. Here are a handful of design tips that can help even the most beginner of interior decorators design elegant and stylish room layouts.
1. Use Colorblocking Extensively
Apartment Therapy mentions that color blocking had initially been a principle of fashion design, but it made its way into the world of interior design and appears in a lot of different decor ideas. Colorblocking is a simple way to make a room look elegant, chic, and really well-put-together. It can turn a regular space into something that looks like it was designed to be appreciated.
Simple color blocking requires having an impeccable eye for color and being able to match tones well. The better you are with colors, the easier it is to find matching cloth colors and complimentary wall coverings. It should be noted, though, that color blocking doesn't mean everything should be in a single color - that'd just make space seem boring. Instead, consider adding a pop of color with the floor tiles and rug, or including a wooden texture to break up the monotony.
2. Full-Length Curtains
Shorter curtains have their place, but having drapes that go all the way to the floor makes for a striking look, and can make any simple living room look like a treat. Realtor.com notes that curtains are like a nice suit, and because of that, they need to fit the windows, as well as the room they're in. Buying draperies that are too short is an immediate clue that the place the owner just hastily threw together, and nothing could be less aesthetically pleasing than seeing too-short shades hung over a perfectly good window.
3. Add some Texture to the Decor
On the other end of the spectrum to color blocking is texture variety decorating. Combining seemingly different textures like glass, wood, concrete, etc. can seem like it'll be a jumble of chaos, but if done right, it enhances and brings out every surface. The difference between colors and textures is that the visitor has to feel the touch to appreciate it sincerely. Supple leather couch covering feels utterly different from a faux-fur throw pillow, and these will stand out and make the room memorable. Even something as innocuous as sleep junkie's recommended best mattress can add to the feel of a bedroom in ways that you might not even realize.
4. Use Big Rugs
Small rugs have their place, but that place isn't in interior design. They tend to make a room feel cramped and can take away from the airiness of a space. A large rug, by comparison, feels like the entire area is opening out before you and can give an illusion of a much larger area than actually exists. Opting for large rugs made out of durable fabric like jute can even play into texturing a room, giving the floor a unique feel and the place and overall better look and feel.
5. Metal Glints can Help
Textures like wood and ivory are lovely in small doses, but metal with its sheen and gloss usually overpowers the muted feelings of other compositions. Splashing metal surfaces liberally throughout a room can add warmth to it, but can also be used to evoke modernity in its design. Craftily places lights that play off the metal surfaces can be used to accent the room in unique and exciting ways. The only downside of reflective metal is that they tend to show up fingerprints far more often than other surfaces and so need constant cleaning to appear presentable.
Spectacular Looks with Minimal Effort
A house doesn't have to be expensive to look as though it was. Bright decorating ideas can go a long way towards providing a wonderfully cozy living space that is likely to wow any visitor. The final design choice should incorporate elements that the owners feel comfortable with, but trying to do everything will lead to the entire house feeling as though each room is a part of a completely different house. Have a single unifying idea and stick with it. Your visitors will thank you for not trying to confuse them with your decor.
