8 Interior Design Rules as Told By the Experts

Decorating your home could be a big pain in the neck. With so many design rules, you’d probably want to hire an expert and get it over with. Of course, this might not be a budget-friendly option for some. So if you’re designing your home DIY style, here are 10 interior design rules you must follow. 

1. Consider form and function

Considering both form and function and not one over the other is crucial in interior design. If you have a piece of furniture that looks good but is useless, it doesn’t serve your space. It’s the same thing if you buy a piece of functional furniture that doesn’t go well with your home’s theme. 

Don’t be envious of that beautiful executive desk that might go well with your living room sofa. If you’re not working from home anyway, why buy it? Better yet, don’t buy that lingerie chest that will look good with your king bed if you have a place for your lingerie already. Before purchasing furniture pieces, weigh if it serves both form and function.

2. Choose a color scheme

Choosing a base color is the first step in identifying the perfect color scheme. You may refer to the year’s trending color or color psychology to guide you in selecting one. Once you’ve chosen a base color, refer to a color wheel to determine the colors and hues that go with your base color. A color wheel shows how colors naturally blend, combine, and contrast and is a go-to interior designer’s tool. 

3. Include different lighting types

Invest in lighting, as it sets the mood in any room. Remember that dark colors may emanate a more hostile and gloomy atmosphere. On the other hand, brighter colors evoke a happy and positive vibe. 

Lighting in a room should look pretty. Mix up different types of lighting and use energy-efficient ones. The four most common types of lighting are ambient, task, accent, and decorative. 

4. Mix textures to create layers

Creating layers in every room makes the space homier and welcoming. If you feel something is lacking in your room, the lack of layers might not be hitting the mark. Mix different textures, such as colors, fabric, patterns, surface treatments, lighting, pictures, and more. 

For instance, mix wood with metal or natural fabrics with rattan. Or you may throw in some plants with your rug or accent cushions. 

5. Include a statement piece

A focal point means it grabs a viewer’s attention immediately. It’s the most evident piece of decoration or accessory in a room. And every space must have a focal point, including statement pieces that steal the limelight. Any hero or statement piece must be able to impact a room. 

It can be an oversized work of art, a patterned rug, a brick wall, a giant floor lamp, or a contemporary, bold sofa. These stage-stealing pieces give any room a good, cohesive look. 

6. Seek symmetry

A haphazard room isn’t very appealing at all. A space that doesn’t provide balance or a hierarchy of design elements will feel too overwhelming. It resembles clutter and may have a negative impact on your mood. Experts suggest always seeking symmetry, even in the most maximalist rooms. 

Symmetry is a technique interior designers use to achieve a space that looks dainty and smart. It often starts with the focal point and creates rhythm throughout. Moreover, it makes the room look relaxing and calm. 

7. Add mirrors

This is one of the oldest but most helpful interior design rules. Adding mirrors does so much more for your space than you can imagine. First, it expands the room by bouncing light from different angles. Secondly, mirrors can also highlight the statement pieces in your room. Plus, a mirror distributes the space, which creates depth and energy. 

Adding mirrors is also a helpful decorating tip for small spaces. Since it reflects views and lighting, which makes the space brighter, making the room seem more spacious. 

8. Dress your windows

Make your curtains kiss the floor, making your room seem taller. Avoid dressing your windows and hang curtains at half-mast. Moreover, the length of the curtains isn’t the only factor to consider. You also have to take note of the width, which means choosing a curtain rod that extends past the window casing up to several inches. This doesn’t only make your space look bigger, but it also invites natural light. 

Conclusion

Before you embark on decorating your space with these interior design rules, make sure you consider the “golden ratio.” This valuable technique involves measuring the room and using the 2:3 rule. It involves dividing the space into two sections, and the larger one should be where your big furniture pieces go, like the sofa. Once the bigger furniture pieces are arranged, you can work down to the smaller ones.