Have you ever found yourself looking at an interior design magazine and wondering how the people do that? What are you doing wrong? Well, truth to be told, those people probably studied for years to get where they are, and they have an exquisite sense of aesthetic. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t fake it till you make it. There are some ideas to steal from the pros and some tricks of the trade to show you how to think like one, at least until you style your home. Here are some of them to help you get started.

Study the space you have

If you have been living in the same home for years, you have probably gotten comfortable in it, and it is difficult to see it with fresh eyes. Designers are used to decorating spaces they see for the first time, and while this is not possible for you, you can try to pretend as if you are starting with a clean slate. You do have the advantage of past experiences, so you can know what doesn’t function well in your home. Always have the function of the space in mind and try to picture it without furniture, accessories and current arrangement.

The way a room is used will tell you what you need to know

An interior designer won’t know how you are using some rooms unless you share your experience. But you know that you sometimes read in the bedroom, or that your kids play in the living room, and you need to be able to see them from the kitchen. The number of members of the family and the frequency of entertaining guests will determine how many seats you need in the living room.

Decide on the style and let it guide you

Designers often think in styles, and while they have enough experience to bend the rules, you can find it very helpful to follow the guidelines of a particular interior design approach. Explore Pinterest for the popular design styles, such as Scandinavian, Mid-century modern, bohemian, and Mediterranean. See which one you like the most and explore and apply its defining characteristics.

Find your inspiration

Besides the décor styles, inspiration can be found anywhere, especially when it comes to colors, patterns, and textures you will use in your home. Your wardrobe can be a true goldmine in this sense, and your favorite pieces can reveal a good starting point for your décor. Adding rustic barn doors can produce a warm and homey feeling that can be incorporated in both modern and traditional design.

Observe on different levels

A designer looks at the space as a whole, but that whole is composed of different levels which include floors, middle ground, walls, and ceilings – all of them are essential to the overall appearance. Treating the walls with artwork but leaving the floors plain is a wrong move. The floors deserve useful and decorative floor rugs, just as much the bookshelves deserve books. All of these aspects together enrich the space with various textures, including shiny and matte finishes, velvet, silk, wool, and faux fur – depending on your taste.

It’s all about the scale

So you want a large overstuffed sofa? Well, sorry to be the one to tell you, but sometimes a piece like that poses an unnecessary burden for the room. You need to know how to choose the pieces that fit the scale of the room. In other words, small furniture pieces belong in compact spaces, while grandiose units fit into large apartments.

The rule of three

Some rules are meant to be broken, but the rule of three is meant to be obeyed. Interior designers think in odd numbers because they provide more visual interest than even numbers. Symmetry produces dull spaces, while arrangements in odd numbers make the décor more energized and vibrant. This goes for everything from color palettes (three colors are better than two), to accessory display.

Observe as an outsider

Once you are done planning or even done decorating, take a step back and try to look at your home as an outsider. Ask yourself have you accomplished what you’ve wanted in the first place. Take a few photos to see the rooms differently. Is there anything missing? Is it functional enough? Stylish enough? Does it reflect your personality? Try to answer all of these questions and fix the problems (if there are any) straight away.
You don’t have to go to interior design school to know what is good for your home. You just need to analyze what you should do and what you want to do, soak in a few worthy lessons and start working.

TRACEY CLAYTON