It can take a lot to pull a room together; from the planning and timelines to budgeting and final purchases, there are many many components that factor into successful design. Since I first began walking clients through this process, I have made note of what factors into successful design. And if you can’t afford to hire an interior designer, here are a few of my personal tips on how to decorate like one!

Invest in Statement Pieces

Decorating is an expensive endeavor, so it is important that you make savvy decisions when it comes to where you splurge and save in your home. Building a look around a statement piece of furniture or artwork is a great jumping off point. Most homeowners already have an existing piece of sentimental value that they would like to keep in the space. From there you can begin to pull colors and coordinates in a purposeful way.

If you are starting from scratch or don’t already have that one piece of inspiration, don’t be afraid to go find something special that you are willing to spend a little bit more money on. It is always smarter to splurge on the things you will love for years to come and save on the smaller, secondary or more temporary details of the room!

Create a Color Story

The colors used in a room are indicative of not only the look you are going for, but the feel. The most common error I find is clients feeling like they need to be matchy-matchy. This can give your room a one dimensional, cookie cutter feel, so be sure to mix in various hues and tones to create more visual interest and depth. Here are five suggestions when picking your color scheme:

1. Choose your main or primary color first for areas of the room like drapes, area rugs, or bedding.
2. Pick your secondary color next, this will be used as the accent in the room on things like pillows or chairs. For a bolder look, choose a color opposite your primary color on the color wheel. To keep things more minimalist and monochromatic, choose a color within the same family.
3. Tertiary color is next, and will be used in accessories or even plants that can be sprinkled throughout the space to serve as a fun pop. Since this color will be used in smaller doses, don’t be afraid to go bolder here!
4. Pick your neutral color, which will be used on the more dominant areas like the walls or larger pieces like sofas and chairs. Keep in mind that neutral doesn’t always mean beige, tan or grey.
5. Bonus* If you’re going for a more monochromatic look, pick one color and work within it’s range to create depth and interest.

Layer Texture

Visual interest can come from more than just color! Using different materials to create texture in the room is an important part of good design. Rugs, throws, pillows and furniture pieces are the main use for textiles, but there are also great wallpaper options out there to bring texture up onto the walls as well. Think grass cloths, mixed metals, leather, linen, or even fuzzy pillows.

The textures used in the space, much like color, further convey the feel of the room. Glass, stone, and metal surfaces make a space feel more industrial, while organic woods, natural fibers and softer hews work to soften a room and create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere.

Never Underestimate the Power of Artwork

Naked walls are a surefire way to make a room feel incomplete, and choosing wall art can be one of the more difficult aspects of design. But boy does it make all the difference when you get it right! One of the biggest mistakes people make when purchasing or hanging art is scale. Too small and it looks like an after thought. Too much and it looks cluttered and cramped. A general rule of thumb is to never select a piece that is wider than the piece you are putting it above, as seen here.

When hanging multiple pieces of art or photographs in a gallery wall, try to keep them within the lines or width of the piece below it as well. Otherwise it will look top heavy and imbalanced. Once you’ve selected your piece or pieces, try to pull some of the colors and sprinkle them throughout the room like they’ve done here with these great white and green checkered pillows!

Make It Yours

I always use one of my clients, Dee, as an example of this. One day Dee walked into the showroom with her staple fuchsia lipstick and emerald green coat and asked for help fixing her living room. She had went with what was trendy instead of what she liked and this woman who loved color had found herself bored to tears with her entirely gray room. She was so concerned with being “on trend” that she neglected to make it a reflection of her vibrant and colorful personality.

It is easy to flip through the pages of a magazine or scroll through Pinterest, and pick up on the current trends. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you are obligated to follow them! Your home should be a place that makes you feel good. Most of us aren’t living in a room that is featured in the pages of a magazine. Trends shouldn’t dictate your home. Focus on what you like and forget about the rest. That is the most important thing to remember when designing your home, in my opinion.

xx Kelly