5 Fast Interior Design Techniques

There are times when your home needs a new look, fast. The problem is most of us just don't have the time or money to do a complete makeover! That's where speedy interior design comes in.

Real interior design takes time, but there are some shortcuts you can take in order to change a room drastically in a very short amount of time. By using interior design techniques, you can make a fast fix look like it was professionally done!

1. Painting. A new coat of paint will certainly change the look of any room, but there are a few things to keep in mind. A light colored paint such as pink or mint or yellow will expand a small room and make it feel light and airy. Darker paints will tend to bring the walls in closer and can make the room feel heavy and warm.

If you have low ceilings, try painting the wall color several inches onto the ceiling. This gives the illusion of higher walls. The opposite is true for high ceilings. To make the room feel cozier, bring the ceiling color down a foot or so onto the walls.

Faux interior design techniques such as rag-rolling and sponge painting don't take very long to do and add a whole new dimension to the paint job in your home. They also hide defects in the walls, perfect for when you can't afford to redo the drywall! Stencils add a nice detail to a room as well and are super easy to do.

2. Slipcovers. A classic interior design tip. If your sofa is looking a bit dingy, or if you have mismatched furniture, you can make everything look new and matched with slipcovers. Anyone handy with a sewing machine can whip up a very simple cover, but you might prefer to have an expert do the work for you. Choose two or three complementary fabrics, for example, a solid burgundy and a burgundy and white stripe, to bring a room together without making it feel too matched. Use one fabric for the sofa, the others for the chairs.

3. Cushions. Don't underestimate the power of details in interior design. Adding some embroidered or elegant cushions can change the feel of a room quite a bit and they are super cheap to do, especially if you can sew yourself.

4. Rugs. Laying down a new carpet might not be an option, but area rugs are an economical way to add new life to a room. Whether carpet on carpet or on hardwood floors, area rugs are the perfect way to spice up a room. Used with new slipcovers and a quick paint job, you basically have a completely redesigned house!

5. Interior design can also mean bringing the outdoors in, so consider adding some plants to your new room. An umbrella plant in a corner can do wonders to brighten a place up and bring life into a room. Plants give off oxygen which is a nice benefit that interior design takes into account when including houseplants. This extra oxygen is said to rejuvenate the inhabitants.

Interior design techniques as simple as those above can give you a whole new home. Try them today!