Do you like decorating, but need some guidance and don’t have the time to watch HGTV? Below you will find an easy step-by-step guide on how to design a room.

When you start decorating a room, the first thing you must decide is the functionality of the room.  Is it a sacred space such as a bedroom, a meditation space, a green room, or possibly a reading room? Could it be a play space for tv watching, playing games, or hanging with friends and family? It could be a workspace, such as an office or craft room.  The functionality will dictate the design of the room.

Once you have decided what the function of the space is, the next thing is the style.  Modern, traditional, transitional, or eclectic. 

Decorating with Style

Modern

A minimalist approach.  Straight lines, more asymmetry.  Asymmetry is more about balance than matching or equal design, such as one large piece on one side and three smaller pieces on the other.  They will balance each other out but not match. More neutral in color, sometimes it can also be a monotone look.  Structure and architecture take the foreground in a modern style.

Traditional

Traditional is very symmetrical.  There is usually a pairing of furniture and accessories.  The furniture tends to have more curves or rolls to it.  The legs are not straight; The arms tend to be rolled.   The back may have a curve to it.  The accessories and tables are paired on each side of the sofa.   If there is a mantel, when decorating it, there will be symmetry to the accessories. 

Transitional

A combination of modern and traditional.  Sometimes the space dictates that it should be transitional.  That is because you may be a person who loves a modern or contemporary look, like me, but lives in a traditional style home for whatever reason.  Sometimes it could also be due to different preferred styles amongst a couple.

Transitional is often traditional furniture with more modern colors and accessories.  Decorating with a mixture of symmetry and asymmetry throughout the room.

Eclectic

In my opinion, decorating with eclecticism is the most fun.  Eclectic is more about the flare.   It is usually done in a transitional style.  The accents added can have a country flare, an Asian flare, or an ultra-modern flare. No matter the flare, balance and continuity are essential in an eclectic look.

Another variation of eclectic is Shabby chic.  Shabby chic uses old and worn pieces that give the room an informal look.

Although a single room can have an eclectic style, the overall eclectic feel is usually achieved by the entire house.

Decorating in any of these styles is how you turn a house into your home.

Decorating with Colors

Now it’s time to have some fun decorating the room by choosing your colors!

Fabric

First, when choosing the fabric for your furniture, I suggest using a solid color on the sofa and loveseat and patterns on the chairs, which can be pulled into the sofa and loveseat with throw pillows.  Loveseats are not necessary. However, if you feel you should have one, and your room is large enough to accommodate one, do it.  A sofa and two chairs will usually give you more flexibility. 

If you are doing a traditional style, the chairs should match.  In a modern and transitional style, they should be different.  One could be leather, and the other a fabric with a large pattern.  However, if you choose to use two leather chairs, they should complement each other.  One more straight line and dark while the other will pick up something from that chair, such as a metal detail or a completely different design, maybe a reclining chair with an ottoman and light color.  If you choose to do two fabric ones, one can match the sofa, and the other can have a fun print.   Or you can have two different patterns on the chairs; it is a matter of the patterns working well together.  However, the chairs should be of different styles.

After buying your expensive pieces, use their colors to guide the rest of your room’s palette. Begin with rugs and drapes. The colors and patterns you choose must be complementary to the furniture.  Whether you prefer solids or prints depends on your taste and desired aesthetic.

Paint

Now that all the fabrics have been selected, you will have several choices for the wall colors.  You can keep it simple and use a neutral color or pull a background or any color from the furniture.  The selection of paint is last because it is the least expensive item in the room. However, it is very important because it significantly impacts the overall look.  You may need to ask the paint store to do a color match from your furniture to ensure that the paint is a perfect match.

The Importance of House Plants

No matter your style, bringing in nature through house plants is essential.  Decorating with beautiful greenery can bring any room to life, regardless of its style. The element of house plants will go with the style of any room.  The structure of the plant will dictate which is the proper plant for a room.  That is, of course, if the room has the appropriate lighting for the plant.  The planter you place the plant in is also an essential design element.

House plants are not only a way to bring nature indoors and help you feel grounded or connected to our Beautiful World, but they also enhance our lives.  They remove the carbon dioxide that we breathe out. They can bring in a sense of calmness. 

Accessories the Jewelry of the Room

The final step of decorating is to pick the jewelry for the room.  All the accent pieces.  The tables, lamps, pictures, and accessories.  This is where your personality starts to shine.  These are all a reflection of you and your life.  Choose wisely but be careful not to overdo it.  Have fun and create a home that you love.

Wishing you bliss!