What makes a well-designed space? Find out the top 8 tips shared by interior design experts
Furnishing a home and putting your personal stamp on your surroundings can be an incredibly enjoyable process – but also a daunting one.
From choosing the colours of the walls, selecting the hardware, picking the décor and deciding on the upholstery and accents, there are countless decisions to make. How do you even begin to navigate your home décor project?
Thankfully, you’re not alone in your quest to craft a stunning space. There are tons of interior designers who have done what you’re trying to do, and many of them are more than happy to give you advice.
To help you navigate through your task, Here are the top 8 interior design tips from experts that you should know:
1. Shrink interior design “trends” and choose what you love
Jon Spurlock, VP at Christopher Guy said that following trends might not be the smartest move when it comes to decorating your own space. He says: “If you think it is fabulous – use it,” he advises. “While it is a cliché, your home is your castle. The home is where we hang our hats, it is where we raise families and create memories.
“Everything you choose in your home ends up in your photographs. Therefore, why not put outlandish fabric on the sofa, or have a statement wall? Be it a small studio apartment in JLT or a mansion on the Palm Jumeirah, the home is where you will spend most of your life.”
2. Identify what you DON’T love
If you don’t like the colour orange, don’t use it. It’s as simple as that. According to Spurlock, you shouldn’t be tempted to surround yourself with something you don’t want to see on a day-to-day basis.
3. Don’t stick with the expected
Don’t be afraid of experimenting with designs. Do something unexpected, whether it be a pink rug, a statement wall, or a stand-out fabric.
“Start from the ground up and pick a fun rug. Get small accents – go to an art fair and choose something from new and upcoming designers. You will transform your home as you collect. Also, small sculptures, artwork, and abstract pieces are all accents that can make your home stand out,” says Spurlock.
4. Comfort is essential
Diala Al Moussawi, co-partner at Collide, said: “Focusing on design is nice but comfort is always essential – so know how to choose the right furniture items”.
Choosing the right accents is key; coloured pillows, sculptures, and vases can brighten and add warmth to rooms. Al Moussawi said: “Statement-making pieces can transform a home from simple to striking. Oversized chandeliers are also a timeless tip – and a big trend in 2023 – and also consider old vintage pieces to add depth to the room.”
5. Pay attention to lighting
No room is complete without the right light feature, said Al Moussawi, pointing out many people don’t pay enough attention to their lighting. She advises choosing inner lights with dimmers to give the right ambience day and night.
6. Get comfortable with your style direction
Founder of Studio Van Oliver, Becki Wills says to search for inspiration online, “save everything to a board and once you have a collection of images, stand back and evaluate. Why do you like a particular image? How does it make you feel? What common threads can you see amongst your images? This will help you define a style that you can work towards.”
7. The little details will add up to make the biggest difference
Wills emphasised the importance of home accessories. She said: “Imagine two living rooms with the same white sofa. Pair one with black and tan leather cushions and oversized geometric artwork. Add oatmeal and blue striped cushions and a jute rug to the other. Two totally different spaces.”
8. Choose pieces that spark happiness in you
As a final styling tip, Wills imparts: “There is nothing better than walking into a room and seeing a collection of your favourite things, beautifully styled, to nourish your soul. That’s what ‘home’ should be.”
