Whether you’ve been looking to decorate your new home or something as simple as a small space, searching for inspiration and coming up with ideas for how to decorate a room in your home is always fun and exciting. When it comes to the actual room design part though, it can become overwhelming very quickly and hard to know where to begin.
A lot of people end up trying to do everything at once which can completely derail the entire process. You may know that you need to pick a paint color but should the furniture come first? And if that’s the case, should you start with the layout of the furniture, or take into consideration the art pieces that you want to hang up on a specific wall?
We’ve created a simple, step-by-step guide that lays out the process of decorating a room, from start to finish. Check it out below!
1. Consider Your Space
The first step in any home design project is to ask the simplest questions about the room you are decorating.
Is it a community or personal space?
How much time will you spend here?
How do you want to utilize the space according to your lifestyle?
Your master bedroom is going to be different from your living room and dining room which are used for relaxing and entertainment. Taking the time to consider these basic questions will help in determining what you need for a specific space and in turn
influence all of the decisions to come.
2. Access Your Needs
Now that you know what kind of room you want your space to become, think about how you’ll use it. Being clear about your needs is crucial since this will help determine the furniture you need for the functionality of your space.
3. Determine Your Style
Incorporating your personal style into your space is one of the most important parts in decorating a room, but this can also be challenging if you don’t know what your style is.
Start by finding inspiration from rooms that you like. Spend time looking at Pinterest or design blogs, and at the same time saving everything you like. If you’re decorating a bedroom, save any paint colors, furniture pieces, and storage options that resonate with you. This part of the process is about inspiration gathering, so make it fun and enjoyable. This way you will end up with a clearer sense of your style and aesthetic for the room you’re going to be decorating.
4. Choose Your Layout
Finding the right layout is extremely important. Whether you’re working with a small bedroom or a spacious living room, planning out where main furniture pieces will go makes everything else in the process that much easier.
For example, you may have a large bedroom that can fit a seating area but there’s only one wall where you can place a sofa. Or maybe your dining room has no windows, which means you’ll have to invest more in light fixtures. You may also be at the mercy of outlets where you’ll be able to plug things in. Therefore, spending the time to figure out what you want ahead of time and where things go will be a huge time saver.
5. Select Your Color Scheme
The last step in the planning process is to choose a color scheme for your space.
Look back at the inspiration posts you saved and see if there’s a common color or theme within the pictures. If not, do you prefer a more neutral home, or do you like to have a few pops of color and statement pieces in any given space?
6. Place The Main Furniture
Now that you have all the planning established, you can begin shopping for your main pieces of furniture. These are your “investment” pieces and the main decor that will take up the most room in your space. In a living room, these usually include the sofa, TV, and armchairs. In a bedroom, this is typically the bed and any storage pieces such as a dresser or armoire.
While shopping, be sure to stay consistent with your style. Once you decide on the main pieces, you’ll have a much easier time decorating the rest of the room.
7. Add Accent Pieces
Next, it’s time to decide on your accent furniture. This includes things such as your nightstands, coffee table, shelving, lighting, etc.
Make sure you keep in mind your space and the function of these pieces in the room. What’s the best height for a floor lamp in your living room? How many levels do you want your shelving to be? Would two nightstands make your bedroom feel cramped? Accent pieces are fantastic for creating a unique dynamic or adding contrast to a room.
8. Decorate With Finishing Touches
The last step is also the one most of us think of when it comes to decor: Adding in the finishing touches. If your furniture is more of a neutral color scheme, you can easily bring color to your space by adding in finishing touches. This usually consist of small decor touches such as art, pillows, baskets, trays, rugs, and unique light fixtures.
No matter what your space is, try to choose finishing touches that can easily be updated over time or seasonally. For example, you can liven up an all white bedroom in the spring with bright pillows and wall art, but you can also just as easily warm up the room in the winter with a few silver throws and black-and-white pillows that don’t stray away from your aesthetic.
Not sure if tackling a full design project is for you? Consider contacting S. Donnelly Interiors to have an expert designer work with you to create your dream space! Most importantly, remember to stay true to your style. Your completed room should be a reflection of your personal style and design aesthetic. Click here to start your conversation today!
~This blog was brought to you by S. Donnelly Interiors. Learn more about the interior design project process by following Stephanie Donnelly and her interior design services in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and the surrounding areas!
