As a designer, I often encounter common questions from clients about interior design. These include:
- How do I plan where my furniture should go?
- How do I create a cohesive color palette?
- What should I consider to choose the right-sized furniture for my room?
- How do I zone different areas in an open-plan living space?
- How do I create a focal point in my room?
To address these questions and more, I’ll guide you through a design process that anyone undertaking a home décor project should follow. This approach will boost your confidence in decision-making, help avoid costly mistakes, and result in a room that others will envy.
Step 1: Planning is Key
Begin by gathering inspiration from magazines, online interior design blogs, websites, or anything around you that sparks creativity. Collect items that catch your eye due to their color or texture, and create a file or pinboard for these finds. Arranging these images and items will help shape your design concept and color palette. Trust your intuition to remove anything that feels out of place—after all, this is your home. Fix the selected items and images to a mood board and keep it in a visible spot to guide your decisions and stay true to your original vision.
Step 2: Focus on the Details
Consider how you’ll use the space; functionality is as crucial as aesthetics. Evaluate the items currently in the room and determine what aligns with your mood board and intended use. You might repurpose some pieces by painting furniture or reupholstering a chair or sofa.
Next, establish a focal point to anchor the room’s design. Without one, the space may feel scattered or incomplete. A focal point creates visual interest and could be a striking piece of artwork, a decorative rug, or a feature wall with beautiful wallpaper. This element serves as the foundation, and all other design choices should tie back to it.
Step 3: Fitting It All Together
Floor planning is essential for selecting appropriately sized furniture, optimizing placement, and zoning open-plan spaces. Measure the room’s dimensions and note them on a rough plan, including window and door locations, electrical outlets, and radiators. This will guide your furniture purchases. Experiment with different furniture arrangements to assess flow and functionality before committing to large pieces. If visualizing from a floor plan is challenging, cut out life-sized newspaper templates to represent furniture and place them in the room to gauge scale and spacing. Use large rugs, the back of a sofa, a console, or a shelving unit to create zones and define separate areas in open-plan spaces.
Step 4: Managing Costs
Create a list of tasks and items needed for the project, then obtain quotes for the work and research item costs to establish a budget. If expenses exceed your budget, consider phasing the work or purchases, or identify tasks you can handle yourself, such as painting. Include a contingency of 5–10% of the total budget. Track all quotes and expenses meticulously to stay within budget. While it may be tempting to choose the cheapest quote, this isn’t always wise, as lower costs may reflect lower quality. Aim for a mid-range quote and seek at least three quotes for each task.
You’re now ready to start planning, designing, and budgeting. Take your time during this phase, as careful planning will pay off. Seek recommendations for reliable trades and services to complete your project, and most importantly, enjoy the process!
Summary Checklist to Get Started:
- Collect inspiration and ideas.
- Determine the focal point and functionality.
- Create a floor plan, including zoning ideas if needed.
- Establish a budget and track it carefully.
- Seek recommendations for trades and services.
- Refer to your mood board regularly to stay on track.
If you’ve successfully designed a room you’re proud of, we’d love to hear your story. Feel free to share it with us!
