Top 6 Interior Decorating Tips for Your Home

While developing the McKinley Beach community, we’ve heard a number of home buyers ask about interior design and decorating for their new homes. Whether you’re decorating a new home or redecorating your existing living space, we have the top 6 interior decorating tips to help you out:

1) SPACE

Your home may already be spacious but the design elements you incorporate can either add or detract from the visual spatial perception. Simple things like using a round rug on a floor and adding large mirrors can make a room feel larger. Using ottomans to compliment existing furniture or to create simple seating can increase the panoramic view in a room and create the perception of space. Incorporating creative storage solutions into your room by adding unconventional textured shelving (like repurposed wood or metal) that works as both display and a place to keep books and possessions can free up floor space and unclutter your room.

2) COLOR

“Pinches of color keep a room feeling youthful and engaging.” – Christina Murphy, Professional Interior Designer. Colors can affect mood so it’s important to understand the different theories behind color use and how to best combine them. You also have to remember that your home is a display of your personality (see Tip #5) so don’t be afraid to let loose and use some bright and different colors to keep your living spaces vibrant. If you don’t want to take too many risks you can always apply a safer generic color to your walls but accent the room with different colored furniture, paintings, rugs, and pillows. 3) LIGHT There’s nothing worse than a room that has perfectly balanced lighting. Naturally you want a room to have the ability to be well-lit but you also want to use your lighting to accent different areas to create mood and direct the eye. Using general lighting can provide your blanket lighting solution but using table or standing lamps to highlight different areas of the room can bring your space to life. Also, be aware of your natural light sources. Some rooms, depending on their location in your home, may have more access to natural light so take note of where the natural light hits different rooms and then add extra lighting where necessary.

4) FURNITURE

“Never push furniture up against the walls. By pulling your seating arrangement in (even just a few inches) you instantly warm up a space and create flow. ” – Betsy Burnha, Professional Interior Designer. Placing furniture against a wall instantly combines the two elements and you lose the sense of space and flow about a room. Spacing furniture to allow for manoeuvrability increases the feeling of openness and, in turn, creates a more welcoming area. Always bear in mind how your furniture will look and if it complements the available space and other furniture and decorative pieces. There are a lot of different ways to go when it comes to furniture and there’s no right way. Trust your instincts, think about comfort, and don’t be afraid to take risks. It’s easier to change furniture than it is to paint a wall!

5) PERSONALITY

In the end, your home is all about you! By showcasing your possessions, hobbies, achievements, and interests through your decorating style, you can give anyone who visits your home a sense of who you are. Mix in some history to give your home an antiquated flair. Experiment with colors and furniture, don’t be afraid to be different and don’t take yourself too seriously. Your home space is something you can affect. You can control the changes so go crazy, take a few risks. You might love what you create and find a sense of style you never knew you had.

6) COMFORT

Finally, comfort is key. No matter what your style, whether you’re historic, modern, innovative, eclectic, or a mixture of several styles, you want your home to be a place to spend time, enjoy yourself, relax, and live. Your home should be functional and comfortable and be a place you want to be. Above all else, make it comfortable. Add pillows, avoid furniture that feels like it belongs in a prison visiting room, use blankets to accent chairs, incorporate a sense of warmth through colors . . . there are a lot of different ways. Do what feels most comfortable for you! Whether you’re purchasing a new home at McKinley Beach or redecorating your current home using these tips, it’s still always important to consult a professional. Interior Decorators and Designers for your area are a quick Google search away. Be sure to do your homework and select a designer that best speaks to your style and needs and create a living space that best represents your personality. Your home. Your space. Your way.

Happy decorating, from McKinley Beach!