This week we thought it would be fun to give you an A to Z of interior design tips. Using some or all of these suggestions in our A to Z of interior design tips’ can help you create a home that is special to you and your family.
A is for ART
No room is complete without art and it can so easily transform a space.
It doesn’t have to be expensive, you can frame your child’s artwork or interesting wallpapers. Maybe get creative and experiment with some artwork yourself. Decorating your walls with art will give your space the ‘finishing touch’.
B is for Black
A touch of black adds sophistication and makes for a great backdrop for lots of textures and colours. Consider combining black with pastels and metallic’s for a sexy feel or add a touch of moodiness by using accessories, cushions and throws.
C is for Contrast
Make your space interesting by contrasting light colours with dark colours, or bright colours with soft neutrals. No-one wants to walk into a room that is all one colour and tone. Creating contrast will make for a layered and interesting space.
D is for Display
Be sure to put on display your treasures and interesting finds from over the years. They will give the room a feel for who you are and where you have been. Don’t be shy to mix the old with the new. Building a room around the things you love will make it uniquely yours.
E is for Establish a colour scheme!
Choosing the colour palette for your space can be as easy as using a piece of art or favourite accessory as inspiration. Obviously, in order to get it right there are lots of factors you need to consider such as lighting, flooring and surroundings but having something to use as a starting point will help you on your way to creating your perfect colour scheme.
F is for Failure
Don’t be scared of getting things wrong. Sometimes the best results come from something that you didn’t think wouldn’t work together. But if something is wrong, then look at it as something new that you have learnt rather than something that you have failed at.
G is for ‘Go Green’
Adding plants to your home will visually soften hard surfaces, act as noise barriers, fill voids, add texture and colour as well as purify the air.
H is for Hardware
Choosing the right hardware for your home is important. We are talking about items such as taps, door handles, door knobs and light switches.
Selecting superior looking fittings can give those inexpensive cupboards, drawers and sinks a more expensive and unique look.
I is for Inspiration
As mentioned before, a good place to start when making choices is by using inspiration.
Gather together images you are drawn to from the internet, books or magazines. Search interior design websites and blogs, drive around display homes or use your favourite existing furniture items. Inspiration can come from anything and anything.
J is for ‘Just relax’
Renovating and decorating can create stressful times. It’s important to take things in your stride, keep organised and ‘just relax’. Especially once all your projects are complete – take the time to sit back, admire and enjoy all the finished work.
K is for Keeping Cabinetry Neutral
Obviously, there are times where darker tones or colourful cabinets work well but in general, keeping your kitchen and bathroom cabinetry a soft neutral or white will ensure a spacious, light and bright feel to your space. This will also allow you to change the look of your space without breaking the bank. Swapping and changing accessory items is a whole lot easier than changing your cabinetry.
L is for Lifestyle
When deciding on what colours, fabrics and furniture items to place into your home be sure to think about the lifestyle you are wanting to create. There is no point going crazy with bold prints and bright colours if you are wanting to create a space of relaxation and zen.
M is for Mirrors
Using mirrors around your home will create depth and illusion of space as well as reflect light into small areas where there is less natural light.
Are you finding our A To Z of interior design tips handy so far?
N is for Natural Light
Make the most of whatever natural light you may have in your home. Hang sheer, light fabric curtains or light filtering blinds where needed to allow as much light to shine in as possible.
O is for Ottoman
Apart from the obvious footrest, these are great to use for extra storage and/or seating and even as a coffee table.
P is for Placement
Placement of furniture and accessories in your home is important. Getting this right will create an aesthetically pleasing space as well as a functional one. Consider things such as traffic routes, zones, balance, proportion and focus points.
Q is for ‘Q-rikey… this list is a little trickier to put together than I thought it would be’. But I’m still enjoying coming up with design related words for each letter.
R is for Rugs
Placing a rug in an area will zone the area and ground the furniture giving the space a purpose. Rugs have the ability to make a room appear smaller or larger and will provide warmth and atmosphere to a room. They’re also great to help with acoustic control.
A number of our ‘A to Z of interior design tips’ have been used to create this amazing space
S is for Storage
Make sure you have plenty of areas for storage around your home. Storage is one of the important elements to a happy, healthy and organised life. No-one wants to be around clutter and chaos while trying to relax from a busy day. Also, decluttering and keeping only things you use or that are of sentimental value will keep your home neat, tidy and spacious.
T is for Trust
If you are using an Interior Designer it is important to trust them. They will come up with options and ideas that you may not have considered but put your faith and trust in them to create the magical outcome you have briefed them on.
U is for Use Again
You can find many interesting and useful second-hand furniture items and accessories in op-shops and on the internet. Purchasing these items will not only save you money but will also reduce your environmental footprint. Up-cycling or re-purposing items will give you something different and unique.
V is for Variation
Use variations of colours, textures and shapes to make your room feel interesting and unified. Be careful however, as having too many different elements will make the room look messy and confusing.
White on white is timeless and classic in this kitchen
W is for White
White can look sterile if not used correctly, but it never goes out of fashion and will complement any colour.
There are so many hundreds of different shades of whites available, all with different undertones and strengths. For example, whites with a yellow undertone will give the overall effect of a warm, creamier appearance. While whites with a blue undertone will look more fresh and crisp.
X is for …..
….erm, this is a tricky one and I can’t honestly think of a word beginning with ‘x’ relating to interior design! However, I can say that when renovating or building your dream home try to enjoy the eXperience and have fun. It can all seem very overwhelming with so many decisions to be made, but taking things one step at a time will make the process easier.
Y is for You
Your home should be about you and your family. Make sure you create a space that reflects who you are, things you love and the lifestyle that you want to live.
Z is for Zen
Everyone wants a little bit of zen sometimes, especially if you are a busy parent. Create yourself a small area inside or out where you can retreat with a cup of tea for five minutes and enjoy some peace and quiet.
And there we have it – our A to Z of interior design tips. We hope you have found them useful and have enjoyed reading our blog this week.
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