1. Define Your Interior Style

It is important to get a clear picture of what your interior style is from the get-go. Every decision you make should intentionally reflect this style.

When defining your interior style, I suggest starting with a source of inspiration. Photographs are the easiest place to get inspired. With Google and Pinterest it has never been so easy to find photos that encompass your taste, personality, and style. Your inspiration images don’t have to be of interior spaces– mine often include shots of nature, fashion, or architecture.

Compile a series of photos that resonate with you personally and collectively share a similar theme or vibe. Once you have a good number of images, jot down all the elements from your inspiration images that you love. 

If you struggle to translate your inspiration images into elements for your space, don’t overthink it. For example, I may be drawn to the rich texture, organic forms, and earthy colors from an inspiration image of nature. Alternatively, the aspects that could stand out to me from the architectural images might be strong contrasts, clean lines, and geometric patterns. Or in fashion images, it might be the flowy movement, intricate details, and refined materials.  

When defining your style it can also be helpful to see what aspects of actual interior spaces you are drawn to. When you find an interior image you like, stop and think about what it is that you like about it. Often where I see people go wrong when defining their interior style is that they get caught trying to label it by a predetermined style (mid-century modern, traditional, farmhouse, etc), this often results in a cookie-cutter home because it doesn’t capture the full range of your aesthetic taste.

By looking for connections that relate the elements that you like in the interior images to the elements you like in your other inspiration images, you’ll be able to identify the key elements that truly represent your unique style.

2. Decide On Your Color Palette 

Now that you know the style for your space, it’s time to think about your color scheme. Consider what colors you would like to use in this room and how you can introduce them. 

If you don’t already know the colors you want to bring into the space then this can be super overwhelming. While there are a hundred different color combinations you can go with, honing in on the one right direction for your space is super critical because the first impression made by your space will be strongly influenced by the color palette.

To determine your color palette, refer back to your inspiration images. It is likely that the same colors will be repeated throughout these photos. This should give you a good idea of what colors appeal to you and which colors reflect the style you are going for in your space. 

Want a professionally curated color palette for your space? Inquire about our Design Services. We can synthesize the colors from your inspiration images and create a custom color palette just for you.

If you want to have a colorful space but are feeling nervous to start introducing it, then I recommend starting with the base furnishings in neutrals so that you get more flexibility and longevity out of your big purchases. You can then layer in your accent colors through the smaller pieces that can easily be moved around and switched out– like art, pillows, and accessories. This makes it easier to try out a color palette without feeling like you have to commit to it for the long haul.

But if subtle isn’t your thing and you want to use more colors then go for it! I love a statement furniture piece, like a colorful sofa or chair, and when done right it can anchor the entire room. Have fun with this part and don’t be afraid to experiment with unexpected color and pattern combinations.

3. Determine Your Furniture Needs

There is a sweet spot between overloading a room and putting too little in the space. In order to find the happy middle ground, you’ll have to assess the most important aspect of the space– its function. 

The function of the space dictates what furniture you need and therefore influences how much furniture you need. So think about what this room will be used for and what activities will take place here. 

To give you an example, let’s say I am designing a living room in a one bedroom apartment, this space is likely used for most of the activities that take place at home. In some capacity or another, the room might be used for watching tv, reading, eating, playing games, lounging, working, entertaining friends, and sleeping overnight guests. I may have missed one or two activities but you get the idea. 

List every function that this room could possibly need to serve. Then jot down all of the furnishings needed for these activities– in some cases there may be a few dual-purpose pieces that can meet multiple functions (i.e. sleeper sofa, etc).

4. Take Measurements & Make Your Selections

One of the most critical aspects of designing your home is selecting furnishings that are an appropriate scale for your space. I can’t stress this enough! The size of the pieces you select will have a big impact on the overall outcome. 

If the pieces are too large, the space will feel cluttered and crowded. If the items are too small for the space then it will feel bare and empty. So you must have a thorough understanding of the parameters you are working with.

The size of the room is the real decider of how much furniture you need because there is a limit to how much will fit. You’re going to need to take some clear measurements to find the furniture sizes that will be best suited for your space. So break out your tape measure and record the dimensions of the room.

Finding the ideal sizes for your furnishings is completely dependent on the size of your room. Luckily there is almost always enough leeway to allow a size range for each piece.

Use graph paper to draw out your space, let each square represent one foot. When you start looking for furniture, draw them out on another piece of graph paper using the same scale (one square equals one foot). Cut the piece of furniture out and lay it on the drawing of the room. Once you have all the furniture cut out then you can move them around on the floor plan until you find an arrangement that works.

Next you’ll start selecting the actual furniture pieces to furnish your space using the optimal size range to narrow down your options.

If after you've picked the specific pieces you’re still a little nervous about how everything will fit, then it may be helpful to check the sizes in real life for accuracy so you feel confident when making your purchases. Use your tape measure and masking tape to tape the actual size of the furniture out on the floor in your room. This will ensure that you feel comfortable with the way everything fits and that you still have room to move around between the furniture.

Want help? If this step feels tedious to you, then you may be interested in inquiring about our Design Services. We make this process easy for you by providing an optimal furniture plan layout and the best size for the furniture pieces needed. Or we can take it all the way and create an entire design for you so all you have to do is purchase the items we recommend to complete your space.

5. Add Finishing Touches 

Selecting the base furnishings is a big first step. It sets the groundwork for the space and dictates the general style. However, don’t think that you are done just yet because the finishing touches are what will really pull your whole space together. The accessory items are what make the space feel cozy, personal, and lived it. 

The finishing items that I’m talking about aren’t nick-nacks and clutter. They are the next layer that makes the room feel refined: curtains, pillows, lamps, art, tabletop/shelving decor, and plants. 

Although it's easy to dismiss these pieces as unnecessary fluff, they often make the biggest impact! These items are my favorite way to add personality to a room through texture, patterns, and pops of color. Make sure to have fun during this step, look for pieces that make you happy. Play around with your findings until your room feels like a blissful reflection of your personality.

You can do this!

Tackling a design project, no matter how big or small, can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be! Once you define your interior style and color palette, you will have a strong direction for your space. Take it one room at a time as you follow these steps and tips. You’ll be amazed at the difference living in a space that truly feels like an expression of your style will have on your life.

More Posts You Might Like