Decorating rooms seems like an easy task. Home improvement reality TV shows portray it to be that way. However, the truth is that when you’re confronted with an empty room, it’s hard to fill up the space, let alone pull off a visually appealing design. Despite that, it’s possible to achieve a room filled with Instagrammable aesthetics. That is if you know the principles of design. If you focus on these golden rules, you can decorate any room with ease and like a pro:
Blend light and dark hues
Colors play a huge role in the visual appeal of your room’s design. Too light or bright of a room can make the space look so staged or energy-draining. Too dark, on the other hand, can result in a gloomy atmosphere. The right balance between light and dark, therefore, is your goal. Hence, for instance, you can have light tones on the architectural structures of the house. Pick a neutral shade on your walls and pillars and opt for light oak laminate flooring. Interior designers in Irvine, California recommend, on the other hand, that you go for darker hues for the furniture and fabrics in the space. For example, you can choose a velvet red chaise lounge chair for your living room and a deep blue buttoned headboard for your bedroom. This contrast in the elements can give the whole room a visual depth that makes it inviting to look at.
Use different textures
Texture refers to the perception of tactile quality of a design element, like how you think a rug or a wooden floor feels underfoot. It has the power to change the mood in the room, although in a lot of instances it remains to be an afterthought in design. Don’t neglect the added aesthetic potential textures can do to your room. Introduce different materials in your space. There are lots of options available from wood, stone, and glass to steel, leather, and cotton, depending on the kind of mood you want to create in the space. Note, though, that the perception of texture can be much influenced by the lighting in the room. Hence, be especially sensitive to how your light hits and casts shadows in different design elements.
Take note of negative space
Negative space, simply put, is the corner in your room that has no design or decoration whatsoever. It’s a blank, empty space. Why is a no-decoration element crucial in decorating a space? Well, if your room is filled with too much stuff, the design will be too confusing for people looking at it. Negative space is important as it gives breathing space, an avenue for the eyes to rest and appreciate the entirety of the design, as well as its individual features. Hence, when you’re done decorating, look at the space again, and channel Coco Chanel’s mantra: Take one thing off.
Although reality TV shows will make you feel like decorating is such an effortless project, accept the fact that it may not be the case when you’re already looking at an empty room. All the same, you can nail this creative project by playing by the rules.
