Unsure Where To Start? Here Are The 15 Best Basics For Decorating Your Space

Decorating a space can be daunting, especially for those who need help figuring out where to start. Knowing the basics of decorating is essential for creating a space that reflects your style and vision.

This article will explore the best basics for decorating your space, from identifying your aesthetic to blending old with new. Whether you are decorating a single room or an entire home, these tips will help you create a comfortable space, inviting and uniquely yours.

You can transform any space into beautiful and functional art with the proper knowledge and approach.

Identify Your Aesthetic

Identifying an aesthetic for a space is the first step in decorating. The aesthetic is the term used to describe the look and feel of an area, from its colour palette to its overall design.

Assessing the space’s size, shape, and light exposure is essential before deciding on an aesthetic. Other factors to consider are the existing furniture, artwork, and accessories.

With careful consideration, a unified and cohesive aesthetic can be created that reflects the homeowner’s style. Consider exploring different colour palettes, textures, and patterns to build a unique and inviting look.

With an eye for detail, a space can be transformed into a stylish and inviting environment.

Choose A Color Palette

Selecting a cohesive colour palette is essential in creating a visually pleasing interior design. Colour can evoke emotion, transform a room, and make a space come alive.

When choosing a colour palette, it’s essential to consider the mood you want to create. Cool tones like blues and greens can create a calming, relaxed atmosphere. Warmer tones, such as yellows and reds, can bring energy and vibrancy to a space. Neutral colours, such as white and beige, can provide a calming backdrop for a space.

It’s important to consider the size and shape of the room when deciding on a palette. If the room is small, light colours will make it feel larger, while dark colours can make a large room feel more intimate.

Incorporating accent colours can also add depth and interest to a space. Choosing colours that work together to create a unified look is important when selecting a colour palette.

Invest In A Signature Piece

Investing in a signature piece of furniture or artwork can anchor a room and give it a sense of focus and purpose. It can also add a unique touch to a room that will be remembered.

Here are a few tips for making sure your signature piece stands out:

1. Pay attention to proportions: Make sure to consider the size of the room and the furniture in it.
2. Think about quality: Invest in a piece made with quality material built to last.
3. Look for unique pieces: Choose something bold and special to be the room’s focal point.

A signature piece can be the perfect addition to any space, giving it personality and character. The right piece can be ideal for combining a room’s decor and creating a memorable look.

Update Your Lighting

Updating lighting fixtures can be an effective way to make a room feel fresh and modern. A great starting point is to identify the purpose of the lighting. Is it to provide task lighting for activities such as reading or cooking? Or is it to give a soft, ambient glow for relaxing or entertaining?

Once you’ve figured out the purpose, consider the size and shape of the space and the types of furnishings in the room. This will help you determine the best lighting for that particular area. Think about installing a statement piece, such as a chandelier or pendant light, to add a creative touch. You can also opt for adjustable lighting to customize the brightness depending on the activity.

Finally, be sure to choose bulbs that will provide enough light to fulfil the purpose of the space. With the right fixtures and bulbs, you can easily transform any space into a modern, inviting space.

Incorporate Texture

Incorporating texture into a space can add visual interest and depth. The range of textural options is vast, from natural materials such as wood, stone, and leather to tactile fabrics like velvet, chenille, and silk.

Strategically adding texture can create a multi-dimensional experience by creating a contrast of both visual and tactile elements. Combining materials, such as a distressed wood dining table with velvet upholstered chairs, a textured rug with a sleek sofa, or a combination of rough and smooth surfaces, can create an exciting and dynamic space.

When used in moderation, texture can provide the perfect balance of visual and tactile interest to any room.

Bring Nature Inside

Bringing nature inside can add a touch of warmth and serenity to any room. From a single sprig of eucalyptus to a living wall of succulents, there are countless ways to incorporate elements of nature into the home.

Adding plants, flowers, and even driftwood can help revitalize a space and bring a sense of the outdoors. Natural materials such as rattan, bamboo, and sisal can also add texture and bring in an element of nature.

Decor items such as terrariums and driftwood sculptures can create beautiful focal points that bring a sense of the outdoors. Incorporating natural elements into a space can help create a calming atmosphere for relaxation and restoration.

Accessorize With Pillows and Throws

Following the advice to bring nature inside, another way to add texture, colour, and personality to a space is through pillows and throws.

Pillows and throws can create a cosy, inviting atmosphere while also adding visual interest and depth when placed on furniture. Pillows come in various shapes, sizes, colours, and textures, making them versatile and able to fit into any decor style.

Throws are a great way to add colour and texture to a room, as well as to provide warmth during colder weather. Throws can be folded at the end of a bed, draped over a couch, or used as a blanket during a movie night.

Pillows and throws can easily be switched out to accommodate any season or holiday, making them a great way to update the look of a space without making significant changes.

Use Mirrors Strategically

Mirrors can be used strategically to create the illusion of a larger space. Not only can they make a room appear larger, but they can also be used to reflect light, allowing the space to become brighter.

Additionally, strategically placed mirrors can create a focal point within a room or bring attention to an interesting architectural feature.

Here are a few tips for using mirrors to decorate a space:

• Hang mirrors at eye level to create the illusion of more space.
• Use large mirrors to reflect light and brighten up a room.
• Place mirrors opposite windows to bring natural light into the room.
• Hang multiple mirrors in a grouping to create a focal point on a wall.

Utilize Artwork For Visual Interest

Utilizing artwork in a space can be an effective way to add visual interest to the room. Artwork can be used to create a focal point, to draw attention to some aspects of a room, or to bring a sense of warmth and personality to the space.

By carefully selecting pieces that match the colour and design scheme of the room, artwork can be used to tie the room together and create a cohesive look. In addition, artwork can express the homeowner’s sense of style, adding a unique, personal touch to the area.

Artwork can be purchased, or you can create your pieces, allowing endless possibilities for customizing the look of your space. Whether you dedicate an entire wall to a gallery of artwork or place a single piece as a centrepiece, artwork can be a powerful tool for creating a visually stimulating space.

Balance Your Furniture Arrangement

Artwork can be a great way to add visual interest to a space, but it’s not the only way. Another way to make an impact is by balancing the furniture arrangement. Furniture arrangements create an inviting atmosphere that encourages conversation and relaxation. It can also help define different room areas, such as seating areas, conversation spaces, and activity areas.

To create balance in your furniture arrangement, start by identifying the primary focal point in the room, such as a fireplace or TV. Then arrange furniture to complement the focal point, with conversation areas facing the focal point. Additionally, make sure that furniture is not blocking any pathways or doorways. Try to keep furniture evenly spaced and centred in the room as much as possible.

Finally, add accent pieces like a rug or throw pillows to complete the look. With these tips, you can create a balanced and inviting atmosphere in your space.

Incorporate A Focal Point

Incorporating a focal point into a room is a crucial design element for creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. Focal points can be anything from a statement rug, to an eye-catching piece of art, to an architectural feature.

Here are some essential tips to consider when creating a focal point:

1. Think Scale: Make sure the focal point is the right size for the room it’s in.
2. Create Contrast: Intensify the focal point by contrasting it with the other elements in the room.
3. Be Bold: Use colour, texture, and pattern to make the focal point stand out.

When done correctly, a focal point can be used to draw attention to the room’s best features and create a beautiful, inviting atmosphere.

Incorporate Unexpected Elements

Rather than sticking to the basics, incorporating unexpected elements into space adds character and makes it stand out.

Unexpected elements can be anything from unique lighting fixtures, to an eye-catching piece of artwork, to a conversation-starting antique. These pieces should be chosen carefully to ensure that they match the overall aesthetic of the space, as well as flow naturally with existing decor.

If done correctly, unexpected elements can make a room more vibrant and alive. Additionally, these elements can be used to create a focal point, as they draw the eye in and become the conversation starter.

If you’re looking to give your space an extra boost, unexpected elements can be just the thing to make it truly unique.

Hang Wall Art At Eye Level

Hanging wall art at eye level can create an impactful and inviting atmosphere that draws the viewer in. This decoration technique has been employed for centuries and is still used to add interest and style to any room.

It is a great way to add a sense of balance and proportion to a space, allowing the eye to wander around the room without feeling overwhelmed by too much artwork. Wall art placement should be carefully considered, as it can add drama and interest to any room.

When hung at eye level, the artwork will become the focal point of the room, and the viewer will be able to engage with the artwork more intimately. Wall art can also be hung in other areas of the room to add depth and dimension to a space.

A room can be transformed into a stylish and inviting place for guests to enjoy by hanging wall art at eye level.

Don’t Neglect The Ceiling

Ceilings often need to be noticed in the decorating process. However, they can be utilized to create a captivating atmosphere. From painted murals to wallpaper to light fixtures, the ceiling can be an exciting way to make a statement in any space.

Try painting the ceiling in an unexpected colour or pattern for a bold look. If a single colour is preferred, opt for a high-gloss finish that will add a subtle sheen.

Install a dramatic chandelier, pendant light, or other statement lighting fixture to draw the eye upwards. Or, for a softer look, incorporate a recessed lighting system and layer in additional light sources to create an inviting ambience.

With the right approach, the ceiling can become integral to any room’s design.

Blend Old With New

Combining traditional and modern elements can create a unique and intriguing design aesthetic. Doing so can bring together different aesthetics to craft a custom interior.

To achieve this, it’s important to understand the elements of each style and how they can be blended together. Traditional pieces, such as furniture, fabrics, and artwork, should be combined with modern pieces, such as sleek lighting, wall coverings, and accessories.

The key is to find the right balance and combine the pieces to reflect the homeowner’s style. By doing this, a space can become more interesting and dynamic than it would be with just one style.

Decorating a space with a blend of traditional and modern can create a timeless look with a unique twist.

Conclusion

Creating a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable can be a daunting task. However, a beautiful and unique space can be achieved by following a few basic steps.

• Identify an aesthetic
• Choose a colour palette
• Invest in a signature piece
• Incorporate unexpected elements

Furthermore, attention to detail, such as wall art, lighting, and ceilings, can unite the entire room. Creativity and boldness can transform a space into a unique and beautiful environment.