10 interior design tips for beginners

September, 2022

Even though interior design isn’t an exact science, there are some basic rules that can help you create a beautiful home space. Whether you’re decorating your first apartment or trying to transform the look of your current home, these tips will help you make smart choices while giving you the freedom to be creative. Follow these 10 interior design tips for beginners and see how much of an impact they can have on your style!

Choosing paint colours

First off, you need to determine what mood you want your space to convey. Is it bright and airy or dark and cosy? Make sure you know what vibe you're going for before deciding on a colour. When choosing paint colours, the trick is not to choose two that are too similar. Often, contrasting colours like warm versus cool tones will be complementary. Remember, light colours will make small spaces feel bigger while darker colours recede into the background and make large spaces feel more intimate. Be mindful of patterns as well when decorating - busy patterns tend to work better in smaller rooms while simpler designs work better in larger ones.

Getting started on Pinterest

If you’re unfamiliar with Pinterest, it’s a website that allows you to collect photos of things you like, organise them into different boards and then share your boards. One reason why I love Pinterest is because it makes it so easy to find pictures of your favourite style or design elements. It also helps me keep track of the beautiful images I come across on my computer and saves me from having to save all the photos individually onto my desktop. It also provides many tutorials for do-it-yourself projects that can be helpful if you want to get more hands-on with your home decorating skills.

Identify your personality type

Are you a logical personality type? If so, your home is likely orderly, and you like to plan. However, if you are an artistic personality type, your home can be anything from organised chaos to orderly mess depending on the day! It’s not important what type of personality you have if you know yourself and cater to that. So, get into some deep introspection time and start imagining what your ideal living space would look like.

Set a budget

Once you figure out your style, find examples of things that you like, and decide what size space you want to work with, it's time to set up a budget. We recommend drawing up a floor plan and establishing approximate budgets for furniture and design. Take care of the basics first, which can be purchased second-hand or IKEA brand. Add splashes of colour through pillows, plants, artwork, candles, and other accessories. Always think about scale before buying anything - make sure everything looks proportional to the room!

Start small

  • Start small by identifying a theme for your space and choosing an accent colour. This will give you a good foundation for all the decorating decisions you'll make over time.
  • Have a focus to your design aesthetic; whether it's farmhouse, boho chic, minimalist, or classic modern. You may not know what that is right now, but as you start shopping and browsing magazines, you'll start to see more clearly what you want. Choosing a style in advance can save money in the long run because it eliminates having to buy everything new when your tastes change.
  • When working with existing pieces like furniture or fixtures, choose things that go well together in terms of both style and colour. A great way to start is with a statement piece such as a rug.

Don’t be afraid to experiment

When you are first learning how to decorate your space, it's important to not get frustrated or give up if one idea doesn't work. There is no perfect way to design a room and experimenting will teach you what you like and don't like. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and make changes as you learn more about your tastes. It might take a while before you find what works for you, but that's part of the process.

Be open minded to new styles & trends

Keep an open mind to the different styles and trends, and don't be afraid to experiment. One day it might not be your style, but who knows what's going to come up next! You can always try a new trend for a season or two if you're feeling adventurous.

Curate inspiration, not clutter

It can be difficult to know where to start when you're first getting into interior design. The best way to stay on track is to focus on what's most important. Start by tackling a small area, like a corner of the living room or your hallway. When deciding what needs updating in your home, think about practical ways you can transform this space into something better. One thing that homeowners tend to underestimate is the importance of trimming clutter and making sure furniture pieces are being used efficiently.

Keep track of your colour scheme and mood board

Whether you’re designing a small space or large one, it’s important to stay focused on the goal of your design. One way to do this is by using colour and mood boards. A colour scheme is a list of colours with the hue, family, and the number of tones. Mood boards are collections of images or items that represent what your style might be like to stay focused. You can create them digitally or physically by taping magazine clippings and pictures together into a collage. You can also include inspirational quotes, fabric swatches, paint samples, etc. Keeping track of these will help keep you organized and focused during the process.

Know where to find the right furniture & materials

There are a few factors to consider when purchasing furniture or materials for your new home. One is the room in which you plan to place it - an office would be great if you have a lot of space, but a smaller home might need more compact options. Consider where it will go, how much money you want to spend, and what other pieces are in the room.

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