10 Interior design tips that you need to know
When it comes to home decor, building plans, or organisation, it can often feel overwhelming to identify the best approach. And as we get older and tackle more projects, we learn and evolve and hopefully don't make those mistakes again.
Some of my top takeaways are less is more, invest in your big pieces of furniture and save elsewhere and don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. With all that said, these are 10 of my top tips I’ve learnt along the way.
Image via Coco Kelley
Tip #1: Take your time
If you’re just moving into a new home or are looking for a refresh, try not to be hyper focused on every tiny single detail. There are hundreds of decisions that need to be made and they don't need to be made immediately.
As a designer, we are exposed to so many fabulous products and we want to impress our clients with something creative or exotic, but we must identify the best use of our time in regards to the projects needs at hand. Same goes for individuals. Get the bones of the project done, and work on accents and decor at your own pace. Plus, is there really such a thing as perfect? If you’re a home decor lover, you know that there’s always something out there that you’re going to find and love. Take a step back and appreciate the hard work you’ve put in.
Tip #2: Embrace plants and greenery
If you’ve ever brought in natural flowers or plants to your space, you’ve experienced how they can instantly bring life to your room. And even though occasionally the fake things can serve a purpose, nothing can replace the magic and mystery of the real deal. Plants and flowers fill your space with good energy and elevate the vibes of the room.
I have a garden with oregano, mint and basil on my kitchen window sill and it’s so satisfying to have fresh herbs in your dinner or flowers picked from the garden on your table.
Image via coco kelley
Tip #3: Don’t get caught up in trendy colours
We often get caught up on what the newest and coolest trends are, but that shouldn't dictate how we decorate the bones of our house. Go with what your favourite colours and style are, not what is of the moment. If you’re really into a trendy colour, try adding it through accents like pillows and decor, rather than large furniture pieces or paint.
Tip #4: Make your bed every morning
There’s nothing quite like getting into a perfectly made bed at the end of your day. The feeling of getting ready to recharge for the next day is always nice when you don't have to work for it. This helps keep the room looking more tidy and put together, prepares me for the day ahead, and is really nice to come home at the end of the day and see a nicely made bed instead of a mess of pillows and blankets
Tip #5: Don’t blow your budget on accessories
Invest your budgets in furniture, and get creative when it comes to decor and accent pieces. I try to guide my clients to spend more on the foundational pieces such as furniture where the quality matters most, functional pieces to better their day-to-day experience, and art that they will appreciate for years.
I prefer to save money on items such as accessories and when I see the budget dwindling. As a designer who wants to style the best space possible for my client, I want to maximise the budget. Great design is not about how much you spend, but rather about HOW you spend to bring all the pieces together.
Image via Coco Kelley
Tip #6: Never go shopping without a plan
Have you ever gone to the grocery store without a list when you’re hungry? It never goes well. Same goes for when shopping for interior design. If you go in without a plan, you’ll most likely face having to return items and waste your time and money—which we all know is precious.
So many clients have told me they have purchased multiple things they loved at a particular store but it turned out to be so wrong for their room, their project or their space. Whether it's the wrong scale (too big of a couch and won't even fit in the doorway) or a wrong hue (looked pink at the store but it's really orange) or just doesn't go with the vibe or feel of the whole space, if you make a plan beforehand and have all measurements the process will run much more smoothly.
Tip #7: When You Buy Something New, Toss Something Old
When you buy something new, you should get rid of something old. I don't mean go and throw out grandma's china, but there's a reason you chose to buy a new accent chair, rug, or even a cute new coffee mug and that reason likely isn't because you want to become a hoarder. To help you stick to this rule, try to design your home with simplicity in mind. If you design with open shelves in the kitchen, you can avoid this all together. There's no room for hoarding when your space is limited and your mug collection is on display.
I find this rule particularly useful with children’s toys as well.
Tip #8: Live by the rule of three
Sometimes, less is more and if you’re someone who has trouble parting with items or figuring out how to downsize, I recommended three pieces per area.
Limit accessories and family photos to a maximum of three per area. Showing off your family or decor pieces is okay, but having too many pieces can look cluttered (not to mention the dusting nightmare). A subtle way to show off photography without having it feel too overwhelming, is by printing images in black and white. They feel less busy and add cohesion to your space.
Tip #9: Stop buying furniture sets
Sure, your style might be extremely specific, but that doesn't mean you want your room to feel like a showroom. When putting a room together, it’s very important to always mix up your furniture pieces and never buy everything from the same place. Don’t be afraid of mixing modern with vintage, traditional with the minimal. As long as your pieces compliment each other, the room will feel very balanced, strong, and most importantly, a reflection of your own aesthetic and personality.
Image via Coco Kelley
Tip #10: Get rid of anything that doesn’t bring you joy
I always come back to the William Morris quote, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” Our enjoyment of a space grows exponentially when we are surrounded by things we love. I’ve learned to display items that bring me joy in prominent places in my home, like my favourite pieces of art and beloved books so I always feel enveloped in warmth and inspiration.