Design a Room You Love: Essential Tips for a Successful Space

Creating a room that feels put-together and reflects your style isn't magic. It's about making smart choices and keeping a few key principles in mind. Here are some tips to help you design a space that's both functional and fabulous:

Respect the Architecture: Don't force a bohemian vibe into a formal colonial home. Certain architectural styles lend themselves better to particular design aesthetics. Embrace the existing features and use them as a jumping-off point for your design direction.

Start Big, Go Small: Consider furniture selection like a grocery list. Start with the big-ticket items like your sofa or bed. These pieces set the tone for the entire room and are typically more expensive to replace later. Once you have those foundational pieces, you can layer in smaller accents like throw pillows, art, and plants.

Ditch the Matchy-Match: There's a reason furniture sets have a certain "showroom" feel. Feel free to mix and match different pieces. A collected look, with interesting finds from various sources, is way more personal and stylish than a uniform set.

Harmony or Contrast? You Decide: A room needs a sense of balance. You can achieve this by incorporating elements with a similar feel, creating a calming and cohesive space. Or, you can add pops of contrasting color or texture to create visual interest and excitement. When making these decisions, consider the overall feeling you want to evoke in the room.

Size Matters (and So Does Space): When selecting furniture, consider the room's dimensions. Also, consider the scale of each piece in relation to the ceiling height and the overall footprint of the room. You want furniture to be manageable in the space, and you also want to ensure there's enough negative space (empty areas) for the room to breathe.

Embrace Your Style: This is your space, so fill it with things that spark joy for you! Don't worry about trends or following someone else's vision. Whether it's a vintage find or a designer splurge, surround yourself with pieces that resonate with you and make you feel good.

Following these simple tips, you can transform any room into a stylish space that reflects your unique personality.