The process of designing a home involves a lot of planning and research from a professional. There are so many moving parts it can get a little overwhelming.
But if you want to design your home on your own, where to start?
Well, there’s a reason why interior design requires a college degree – it’s complicated. But I’m assuming you want some quick tips to get most of this done yourself, so I’ll try to keep it as simple and straightforward as possible.
Let’s go room-by-room and focus on the most important aspects of every space. With this, you should be able to plan the layout and decor for every room in your house!
“Every day brings new choices. – Martha Beck
Living room
Cozy. The living room is supposed to be a hangout spot for you and any guests you might welcome into your home. Invest in cozy furniture and make sure the area is set up for people to sit and face each other (and the TV).
Entertainment. If you already have or plan to acquire an entertainment system (such as a game console or VR headset), make sure you have the space for it. Watching movies doesn’t need a lot of prep, but for playing you might want to add a recliner or ottoman closer to the TV, so the kids don’t have to sit on the floor.
Relaxing. Along with the usual setup of TV and sofa, you might want to add an extra relaxing spot for you. A reading corner, a spot near the fireplace, or anything else your family might want.
For any room in the house, you have to work with the space you have. There’s no point making crazy plans if you don’t have the room for it, so always consider your space first, and then plan around it!
Kitchen
Maneuverability. Because the kitchen is so busy and requires a lot of movement, you want to make sure you can maneuver around freely without bumping into anything. Consider the space you have to work with and create a nice path to all the areas you need.
Kitchen safety. The main safety concerns you have in the kitchen are slipping and fire hazards. For the first, go for a slip-resistant floor or install no-slip grips. For fire hazards, be sure to have a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible place!
You may also hurt your fingers with a knife or burn yourself with oil, which happens to all of us. Leave a spot for a first aid kit somewhere in your kitchen and let your family know of its location.
Dining room
Size. The whole point of the dining room is to receive your family and guests. Consider the size of the room you have available and how many people you wish to receive to choose your table, as well as the number of chairs. And you may want a cabinet nearby to quickly reach for plates and glasses.
Lighting. Usually, the standout feature of a dining room is a fancy light fixture right above the dining table. You want the lighting to be comfortable and sufficient for any gathering, whether it’s just another Tuesday or a Christmas dinner.
Table. Probably the most important asset in this room, the dinner table should fit nicely and offer enough space for everyone to sit in. Some tables can be expanded as well, staying relatively small most of the time but allowing for more space when the need calls for it.
Bathroom
Mirror. Every bathroom needs a good mirror. You can turn even a small bathroom into a standout room by investing in a large mirror that adds more dimension and light without effort.
Tile work. Tiles are excellent for bathroom walls and floors because they’re stylish, easy to clean, and great for humid environments.
Decoration. Bathrooms have a tendency to be quite sterile in appearance, but you can mitigate that by investing in some simple decorative pieces. Houseplants that absorb moisture, utensils, and ornate knobs and handles work wonders to give your bathroom a more vibrant look.
Bedroom
Sleep is sacred. If there’s one investment you can make for your bedroom, it should be a good mattress. Start there and work the rest of your budget to stylish the rest of the room – good sleep is the most important part!
Curtains. Not only are these useful for blocking light when necessary for a good night of sleep, but they do tons for your style. Be sure to get some light blockers if you enjoy an afternoon nap!
Keep the colors light. Bright and neutral colors are considered better for bedrooms because of color psychology. It’s more relaxing for your eyes and therefore more optimal to ensure a good night of sleep.
Need interior design tips from the pros? Get free quotes today from interior design pros in your area!
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