Posted by Caren – April 28, 2008 10:02 AM
Tags: design
Last week, despite the heavy nationwide emphasis on Earth Day (it's about time!), the most read decorating article on HGTV.com was "10 Steps to a Well-Designed Room". Conclusion: No matter how green we get in our interiors, the problem of actually designing them still remains.
Here's how to get that designer look by answering 10 quick questions. Answer each of these honestly and you're well on your way to decorating bliss.
1. How will you use the room?
Try not to get stuck on labels. Just because the builder called it a dining room, doesn't mean you can't use it as a game room instead.
2. Who will use the room?
List the family members – and guests – who will be spending time in the room.
3. Find inspiration for the room's design.
Make a "look book" for your room from designs you liked in magazines or even things you saw in your friends' homes. I get lots of inspiration online at Designers' Portfolio and Rate My Space.
4. Draw the floor plan of your room on graph paper.
Doing your measuring now will help determine which scale is best for furniture, artwork and lighting in your room. Don't worry about being super accurate, unless you know you're Type A.
5. Consider the design in the rest of your home.
I'm not a fan of matchy-matchy, but if the room you're decorating is part of an open floor plan, you'll want to create some sort of flow to keep the space feeling, well, open.
6. Pick a favorite thing and design around it.
Especially helpful for people who have no idea where to start. Top designers usually have one or a few inspiration pieces that serve as jumping off points for the rest of the room.
7. Compile your plan in a portable notebook.
Once you start shopping for decor, you'll love the fact that all your ideas are in one place. Plus, carting around fabric swatches and small tile samples will let you know right away if the lamp you're eying is right for the room.
8. Don't buy everything from one store.
It's alluring to walk into a furniture store, purchase an entire room and be done with it. But if your style or room's function changes, you'll have to start all over.
9. Beware of fads.
Designers do incorporate design trends into rooms, but they do so smartly. For example, area rugs, accessories and art are great places to inject your latest zebra-print obsession, and just as easy to remove when you're tired of safari.
10. Good lighting is essential.
The most important step to getting a designer look is investing in great lighting: ambient, overhead and mood lighting. Just make sure you're using CFLs so you can still be green.
What designer tips do you use when decorating your home? Post it in the comments!
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Function first-this includes who uses the space and sometimes includes those who should not use the space and then lighting.Probably the next thing I look at is color and how the light affects the color . Then the focal point of the room which usually ties in with the function. Right before I decide if I should do something faddish, I ask myself does this welcome a stranger or a family member, or does this hinder their welcome? Loved your recommendations. Thanks
Posted by julia spradlin – April 28, 2008 12:21 PM
This is a good, practical common-sense list.
Ties in nicely with Sheri and Matt's Design approach, and I think I see shades of Christopher Lowe in here. Both rate high in my "good design sense" personnel.
I have found that when I look for design elements I tend to graviate to things that are flexible and versatile...that can work in almost any room in my home (my rugs, pillows, baskets..etc have found a spot in almost every area of my home - as the seasons change or as the mood hits me..and they still work!)
Thanks...this is a no-nonsense, practical way to win at any personal design style or lifestyle.
Posted by Pret – April 29, 2008 10:10 AM
Functional yes and beautiful as well as a great feeling and sense of warmth are part of every room. I love the love and feel of American Clay as a alternative to paint. And along with a smooth texture, you can be creative in each room and work with many different looks and ideas. Where this naturally beautifully product gives your room a warm sense and feeling, every day your are in the space. And the color choices are great from warm greens,to yellow, reds etc.
Posted by Kathy – April 29, 2008 2:48 PM
What wall in a room should be the accent wall?
Posted by Don – April 29, 2008 7:55 PM
The accent wall of a room should be where you would like to put a focal point. Say the wall of your fireplace, or the wall you would put your bed on.
Posted by Naomi – May 2, 2008 2:50 PM
I would like to add, printing pictures of preferred furniture styles and accent pieces off the internet is a great way to build a notebook of ideas whether you intend to buy it or not. There is a large variety of choices on the internet. It can get tiring visiting furniture stores looking for just the right piece.
Posted by Jodi – May 6, 2008 1:40 PM
I like to use Microsoft excel as my "graph paper" when I get an idea and over the years I have mapped out nearly every room in my home and almost every piece of furniture. It's a quick way to work out a floorplan design and I can always hit "delete" or "undo", instead of reaching for an eraser when I want to change something.
And it already comes with my computer!
Posted by Pret – May 6, 2008 11:15 PM
Don't let bad design happen to your home! Caren Baginski, HGTV.com's decorating editor, discovers inspiration to help you on your way to design victory.
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