10 Tips For A Well Designed Room
1. It may sound cliche, but my first tip is to hire a professional. It can actually save you time and money. A good designer does constant research on what is trending in the industry. He/she can steer you in the right direction, and has already done the research you should do when making an investment in your home. Make sure that person is someone you trust!
2. When choosing an area rug, go big or go home! A rug that is too small looks cheap. A large rug grounds the space and actually makes the room appear larger. A small rug in a large room looks like a small stamp on a large envelope.
3. Start on the ground, and work your way up: 1. Choose Rug 2. Decide on Furniture Layout 3. Choose upholstery, Case Goods, and Drapery Design 4. Choose Paint Colors 5. Accessorize
4. Stay neutral on large pieces, and go bold with your pillows.
5. Consider your furniture an investment, and put the bulk of your budget here. There is nothing worse than uncomfortable furniture. If you are on a budget, try to save money by shopping at HomeGoods for your accessories. If you are patient, and take your time, you can find some great deals there on accessories.
6. If you don't have a lot in your budget for a rug, stay neutral. Go to a local retail carpet store and look through their remnants! You can usually find some awesome deals on wool remnants in these stores. When the budget is low, having a neutral on the floor will hopefully make it disappear. Buying a cheap Oriental or printed rug will only draw negative attention to the rug.
7. Don't forget your ceiling. Painting the ceiling a color or using wallpaper on a ceiling can create a huge impact.
8. Straighten, clean, and eliminate clutter daily. If you don't use it, and it doesn't bring you joy, give it away!
9. Mix scale, and textures. It can only add interest and depth to a room.
10.Lighting is the jewelry of your room! Table lamps, ceiling fixture, and wall sconces. Having a mixture adds interest, and ambience.
Bonus: YES you can mix metals! Done the right way, it can look awesome!!
2. When choosing an area rug, go big or go home! A rug that is too small looks cheap. A large rug grounds the space and actually makes the room appear larger. A small rug in a large room looks like a small stamp on a large envelope.
3. Start on the ground, and work your way up: 1. Choose Rug 2. Decide on Furniture Layout 3. Choose upholstery, Case Goods, and Drapery Design 4. Choose Paint Colors 5. Accessorize
4. Stay neutral on large pieces, and go bold with your pillows.
5. Consider your furniture an investment, and put the bulk of your budget here. There is nothing worse than uncomfortable furniture. If you are on a budget, try to save money by shopping at HomeGoods for your accessories. If you are patient, and take your time, you can find some great deals there on accessories.
6. If you don't have a lot in your budget for a rug, stay neutral. Go to a local retail carpet store and look through their remnants! You can usually find some awesome deals on wool remnants in these stores. When the budget is low, having a neutral on the floor will hopefully make it disappear. Buying a cheap Oriental or printed rug will only draw negative attention to the rug.
7. Don't forget your ceiling. Painting the ceiling a color or using wallpaper on a ceiling can create a huge impact.
8. Straighten, clean, and eliminate clutter daily. If you don't use it, and it doesn't bring you joy, give it away!
9. Mix scale, and textures. It can only add interest and depth to a room.
10.Lighting is the jewelry of your room! Table lamps, ceiling fixture, and wall sconces. Having a mixture adds interest, and ambience.
Bonus: YES you can mix metals! Done the right way, it can look awesome!!
Fun With Blue Pillows
I could go on and on about pillows. One of the quickest ways to change the look of a room is by buying new pillows. With neutral furnishings, you can change the whole look of a room with different pillows. Just a few of my favorite navy pillows right now:
Votivo
Well, it is official. I have always wanted to have a store front. I guess this is the closest I will ever get until I hit the lottery. I decided to carry Votivo, and become a dealer out of my home. My favorites are their Christmas Collections, and Red Current. If you have a last minute gift to buy and don't want to run out to the store, give me a shout! They are a personal favorite of mine, and will never disappoint!
Ikea
Not everyone can afford high end furnishings. Ikea offers some great substitutes for those who are on tight budgets! These are a few of my favorite shelving units from Ikea. They are great for children, and offer so many different configurations. Yes, you do put them together on your own, but it is simple once you get the hang of it. If you have an Ikea store close by, drive there and pick up your pieces rather than ordering online. Their freight normally has a minimum of about $150.
I guess I can't talk about Ikea without mentioning a few of my other favorite pieces. The Stocksund Sofa gives a nice classic look to this room. It is priced at $699. The Friheten pulls out into a sofa bed, and it is only $599! The Stolkholm green sofa and chair are two of my all time favorite pieces of furniture at Ikea. They are priced at $999 for the sofa, and $399 for the chair, and the velvet fabric is so pretty! If you are on a tight budget, but looking to add a modern piece, this could really make a statement.