Simple Interior Design Tips for Beginners
Interior design can be exciting, exhilarating and very rewarding. However, for beginners, it can also be pretty nerve-wracking and confusing too!
Whether you are renovating an older property or building a brand new home from scratch, there are so many questions you are likely to have about colour, decor and layout. To help you out, we’ve published some of the most valuable dos and don’t for interior design newbies.
SIMPLE INTERIOR DESIGN TIPS
How do I start interior design for beginners? Follow these dos and don’t to always be ahead of the decoration game…
DO: Consider the functionality of the space
The first thing you need to think about when designing a room is what you will need from it. If it’s a bedroom, do you need to fit in a dressing area and a place to home fifty pairs of shoes? Or, if it’s your lounge, do you need it also to be a movie room, play area or home office too?
Once you know the functionality of each room, you will be in a much better place to decide on what furniture you are going to need and what layout might be best for the overall space.
Credit: @ourhallgreenhome
Good Earth
X141R275CDO: Choose a cohesive colour palette
A cohesive colour scheme will make your home interior look and feel stylish and considered. You can start by contemplating the mood you want to create in each room - do you want it to be calm and relaxing, or vibrant and energising? Different colour schemes can create different atmospheres in your home, so it’s important to think of how you want to feel in each room first before choosing paint.
Be sure to look out for lots of inspiration - either online, social media, in magazines, or out and about on your travels. Once you have some inspiration, start to build a colour palette for each room - beginning with a base colour, and then adding one or two complementary colours to the scheme. Stick to two or three colours in each room to ensure a cohesive look.
Credit: @ourlittlebluedoor
Devonshire Green
L21cW41cDO: Select timeless furniture pieces
Trends fade over time, but timeless interior design incorporates key furniture pieces that never go out of style.
Whether you’re choosing a chest of drawers or a dining room table, think about longevity and what will carry you through the next period of life for you and your family. Functional furniture includes dining room tables that can extend when you need them to, or cabinets that can be painted when they are in need of a refresh.
Credit: @our_crosspool_terrace
Downing Street
L17bW36dDO: Use decorative features to add personality and individuality
Great interior design is all about individuality and personalisation. Your house should be a reflection of your character, so don’t be scared to show off all the things you love around you.
Above all, your home should be a place where you feel happy and calm. The artwork, photos and colours you use should make you feel good every time you see them. So, think carefully about what would help you achieve this goal, and carefully plan your interior around this.
Credit: @maisonderock
Arrowhead
R205ADO: Incorporate different textures to add depth and interest
A mix of textures and fabrics in your home will help to add both depth and interest to each space.
Don't be afraid to mix textures such as wood, metal, and fabrics together to create a space filled with depth and character.
Wall treatments such as textured wallpaper, brick, or stone can add visual interest and create a focal point in a room. Wall panelling has also become very popular in recent years because it offers a timeless design feature that can bring a wall to life with texture without any other artwork or decor needed.
Credit: @ourwoodfield3storey
Frosted Sage
X135R279BDO: Prioritise comfort and real living
Of course, you want your house to look beautiful for guests when they come to visit, but your comfort should certainly come way above this desire when factoring in your interior choices.
You might find a beautiful bed frame that looks very Instagram-worthy - however, get it home to discover that it is less than comfy and squeaks every time you get into bed! Comfort and functionality should always come first as you will be the main users of the items every day.
Remember to read reviews and test things out in person wherever possible to ensure you’ve made the right choices.
Credit: @atnumber_24
Gentle Shadows
R82BDON’T: Choose decor based solely on current trends
As mentioned above, many trends in both interiors and fashion come and go quickly, potentially passing you by before you even have time to implement them!
Of course, it’s great to get inspiration from social media and influencers for ideas and advice, but once you are tempted by an idea, be sure to always give it lots of thought.
Your choices should be ones which you will be happy with in years to come, not just months. Renovating and re-decorating are expensive tasks, and you want to ensure that you won’t get bored of that flamingo pink kitchen shortly after it’s been installed!
DON’T: Go overboard with mix-match colour & pattern
In fashion design, it’s often advised that you remove the last accessory you’ve just put on to avoid overcomplicating or overwhelming an outfit. And, when it comes to interior design, that same rule applies!
It’s tempting to want to add lots of colour and pattern to a space to give it personality and charm, however, it’s important to get the balance right and ensure that you are not going overboard.
If you love patterned wallpaper, then try to keep your furniture and soft furnishings in block colour, or if you opt for a floral upholstered sofa, then decorate the walls and ceiling with a single colour to frame it and balance the energy.
DON’T: Overwhelm a small space with colour
Small spaces can be intimate and beautiful, but when decorating them, you need to consider the best way to get the most out of the area available.
Pale, neutral colours will generally make a small space feel brighter and bigger than dark colours would. Light greys, beiges and creams are all great shades for smaller rooms, giving you the option of accessories with pops of colour and artwork.
If you do want to add some colour to your walls and ceilings, then a feature wall is a great way to achieve this without overwhelming the space.
DON’T: Forget about the importance of natural light
Natural light can completely transform an interior, making it appear larger and brighter in many instances.
Think about ways that you can help bring in extra natural daylight into your home via skylights, French doors and box windows where possible.
Window dressings can also dramatically alter the amount of light filtering in too - for example, tilted shutters have the potential to let plenty of light into a room while still offering plenty of privacy from the outside. In contrast, traditional curtains are generally thicker and heavier, blocking out more light when drawn together.
Credit: @gems_home_story_
Cocoa Dust
R92BDON’T: Forget how important storage space is
Good home storage is certain to make your home environment calmer, cleaner and more user-friendly. Therefore, consider what needs to be stored in each room, and decide what storage type would work best for the space.
Built-in furniture can be extremely useful for tight spaces, or those areas where you need to tidy a lot of items away. However, there are also plenty of other ways to store your belongings using standalone furniture such as ottoman benches with lifting lids, coffee tables with storage drawers and divan beds with storage space underneath.
Credit: @megmonde
Cherry Caramel
X7R34DDON’T: BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR ADVICE AND INSPIRATION
The best interiors are usually part of a joint effort! Whether you seek the advice of a friend or family member or an interior professional, it’s always reassuring to hear that someone else shares your love of an idea or decor choice.
Our Virtual Assistant feature offers you the chance to access decoration ideas and advice to help you to curate a colour scheme that is cohesive and cosy. We also have an Inspiration Hub, where you can find expert articles, How-to guides and Look Book images to ensure you are never short of ideas. From guides on How to paint a room to advice on decorating a new build house, you can find all the inspiration you need to complete your perfect interior project.
Colour match your dream shade with Valspar
Our Colour Match tool offers the ultimate way to discover your perfect colour palette.
Whether you’ve found a beautiful object in a shade you love, or want to replicate a colour from the wall in your favourite hotel suite, simply upload a photo of the colour to our website and we will create a paint in an exact match for your home interior.
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