What is it that makes one room better than the other? What is it that makes people dazzle when they look at how you decorated your home? These are some of the questions you need to ask when you are getting a new look for your home. Experts say that there is no one right way of doing interior design. Creativity is dynamic but still some principles govern the field.
According to interior designer Michael Wood of IX Design, there isn’t one magic formula to create the perfect room. Even an interior designer starts from scratch with each project, working with both the client and the space.
The key to a beautiful home isn’t spending a ton of money on pricey furniture or designer fixtures. It’s about making sure everything in your space works together.
Live With It
“It’s especially important for people on a budget to go slowly,” Wood advises. “You literally have to live with these decisions, so it’s not a good idea to rush into something and look back with regret.” Even though it’s tempting to finish an entire room at once, Wood emphasizes living with each choice before moving on to the next one. New couch? Let it sit (and sit on it) before moving it around the room or covering it in pinstripes.
How do you know if it’s a good fit? Ask yourself two questions: 1) Does it make you happy? 2) Is it functional in the way it was intended?
It’s also important to spend time at the beginning choosing exactly what you want. Wood says it’s critical to nail down your vision for the room before you get started, because there’s nothing worse than spending money you’ve worked so hard to save, and then regretting it.
Sourced from: https://www.learnvest.com/2012/07/the-7-rules-of-interior-design/?gallery=541&pid=#pid-6496_aint-0
After the looks and the feel, you will need to ensure that the design you go for should really work. It should embrace your furniture. You should also ensure that the lighting does not work against you.
Function
Decorating is more than just eye appeal — it’s making a room really work for you. Here’s how to do it, element by element:
The focal point: Sometimes rooms have natural focal points (places the eyes travel to immediately upon entering a room) — a fireplace, a bay window with a view, maybe even a built-in bookcase. If the room doesn’t have a natural focal point, create one with a dynamic piece of art or a colorful area rug.
The furniture: Determine whether the furniture satisfies the functions you’ve planned for the room. If a piece isn’t working or if it’s too large or too small for the size of the room, get rid of it or trade it for something else around the house that may be more appropriate.
The lighting: Lighting should be selected for the functions of the room as well as for visual appeal. Every task will require either direct lighting from a lamp or indirect lights that simply brighten the room for conversation or TV-watching. Accent lighting — floor spots, track lighting or recessed spotlights — enhance texture, color and room details.
Sourced from: http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/the-3-principles-of-interior-design
Interior design is not rigid meaning that you are free to experiment. This means that you are free to break the rules. But as much as you can experiment ensure that you strike a balance so that your home does not look like a chaotic scene.
“The first rule about decorating is that you can break almost all the other rules.” — Billy Bladwin
Something almost all decorators will tell you is that rules are meant to be broken. It is more important that the decor in your home reflects your living style and your personality than any conventional rule. It is important, however, to find balance so that a home doesn’t become to stale and boring or too busy and distracting.
”Never push furniture up against the walls. By pulling your seating arrangement in (even just a few inches) you instantly warm up a space and create flow. ” — Betsy Burnham
While each designer has his or own trick to transforming a room, they unanimously believe that a home should feel well lived in, represent the home-owners interests and passions and should never be too serious. Above this cozy library manages to do it all. This library is warm and inviting while giving us glimpses into the owner’s own life.
Sourced from: http://freshome.com/2012/09/13/10-secrets-from-top-interior-designers/
