The eight most important interior design principles

There aren’t any hard and fast rules when it comes to interior design. There are plenty of tips and tricks but there are always situations where you might want to go against conventions to achieve a certain look. So rather than go over rules which are meant to be broken, here are eight underlying principles to keep in mind when doing interior decorating.

Plan for real life

So many homeowners make the mistake of putting aesthetics above functionality. But the space needs to do more than look like it belongs in a home fashion magazine. You are going to be living in that space and using that space every day so you need to think about practicality too. Before anything else, think about the functionality of the space you’re decorating and what it needs to be able to do.

Create a vision

One you know how a space is going to function, you can think about your vision for that space. Take a global approach. Don’t start with specifics like paint color or furniture selection. Have an overall vision of the space and let that dictate all of the smaller decisions.

Be thoughtful about materials

When it comes to furniture, it’s better to spend a little more on high quality pieces that are going to last. Don’t go with something trendy or cheaply made just because you like the way it looks and the price is right. Natural materials like wool, silk, linen complemented with solid wood construction are ideal. Remember also that high cost is not a guarantee of good quality.

Juxtapose contrasting elements

Just because you’re going for a certain theme or look doesn’t mean every single thing in that space needs to match. In fact, you should be in the happen of blending different time periods and styles into a single space. It’s that juxtaposition that makes a room feel lived in and not just something you’d see in a home fashion catalog.

Layer the details

It’s easy to walk through a store and pick out things that you like one at a time. But you should be asking yourself as you go along whether each piece goes with the vision you have for the space you’re decorating. All of the elements have to come together as layers to complete the look.

Be authentic

Your interior design should be personalized. It’s perfectly fine to go online or to visit home fashion stores for inspiration but your design needs to reflect your personality and tastes. It’s also important to integrate your personal belongings, antiques, heirlooms, and hobbies into the space where possible. It’s those quirky details that make the space yours.

Strike a balance

One of the hardest things to achieve with interior design is balance. You should view the room for different vantage points to see if it looks good from multiple angles. You want to avoid having one side of the room be overwhelming and the other side bare.

Edit

Sometimes, after you’ve finished with a space, you have to go back through and tweak things. Don’t feel like things are set in stone once you’ve finished either. From time to time you can switch things up, add new elements and take away others to achieve a new look.

Source: Curbed

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