Blog Article Written by: Olivia Flaggert
So, let me begin this blog post by saying that I am not an interior designer or decorator. I’m far from an expert in design, but ever since moving into my first home, I’ve become passionate and interested in it. Consequently, I feel like I’ve learned a lot about how to create a unique home that I’ve come to love, and so I figured why not share what I learned so far.
When learning anything new, I always turn to books! I learn best from reading, and as I’m sure you can probably tell from this blog, I’m kind of obsessed with books. 🙂 Much of my interior design knowledge came from reading a bunch of interior design books, so I’ll be sharing some of my favorite tips and also walk you through how I applied those tips in my home.
I almost always read at home, and so I love to create spaces that I feel like create both a tranquil and fun atmosphere. Here are some of my favorite interior design tips that I’ve learned along my ongoing home design journey.
Mix the Old with the New.
A key component of creating a timeless home is to combine the old with the new. So, what exactly do I mean by that? Well, for example, in your living room, you could mix a vintage or antique-looking chair with a modern couch. Doing this is helpful because it creates a contrast, which draws the eye in and adds a unique flair to a room.
Example: In this photo, you can see how my kitchen table has a rustic farmhouse style (older looking), but then you can see how I incorporate some modern chairs too. I bought these mid-century modern ones (newer looking) to go with it instead.
Don’t Shy Away from Color.
When I first started decorating my home, I knew nothing about interior design. I used to think a neutral color palette was the way to go, but as I started reading more and more about interior design, I learned more about what kind of styles I liked. It turns out I have very eclectic taste, and naturally, I fell in love with colors. However, some people don’t like using many colors, and that’s okay too. Everyone will have different preferences for how they want their space designed.
If you are a fan of color and want to add more of it to your space, then it’s essential to understand the difference between warm and cool color tones. For instance, oranges, reds, and yellows are considered to be warmer colors, whereas blues, greens, and purples are considered to be cooler colors. Warm colors can make a room feel more welcoming and lively, and cool colors can make a place feel more calm and relaxing.
In the master bedroom of my home is where I like to unwind, and so I stuck with a more neutral and cool color palette. In my living spaces (see photo below), I chose to add more color and created some contrast with blues and oranges. On the color wheel, blue and orange sit opposite each other, so they help to offset each other, which creates balance. In interior design, complementary colors, such as blues and oranges, often go nicely together. You can mix warm and cool colors, or use one or the other, it’s honestly whatever makes you feel the best.
Add Layers & Texture.
This tip is especially important if you choose to use a more neutral color palette. Texture can make all the difference in making a house feel like a home.
For example, this bohemian tassel decor adds a textural element to my master bedroom.
Another example of texture is this white faux ottoman piece (behind my dog’s head in the photo below).
On the couch in my living room space, I added layers with these throw pillows and blankets. As much as I love the comfort of this leather couch, I’m not a fan of how bulky and dark it is, and so the layering helps to kind of disguise that part of it. Woven baskets are additional accessory pieces you can use to help add texture to your space.
Size Really Matters When it Comes to Rugs
Proper rug size is critical when it comes to designing your home space. I made the expensive mistake of buying rugs that I later found out were too small for the room. When it comes to interior design, the scale is another critical component, and a rug that isn’t large enough can throw off the scale of an entire room. A common misconception is that a smaller rug will make a room look larger. In truth, a larger rug will almost always make your space look significantly bigger. If you’re curious to know what size rug you should invest in, be sure to check out this great article from Styled by Emily Henderson.
I hope you enjoyed reading about these tips, and if you’d like me to post more blog articles like this one, please let me know in the comment section below! 🙂
