Top 10 Decorating Tips from an Interior Design Graduate

There is a ton of interior decorating advice available, but all these "rules" can seem overwhelming to some people. Here are 10 of the most important interior decorating tips I have learned since becoming an interior design graduate. No. 1 is the most important.

1. There are no rules. You have probably heard all kinds of rules for decorating your home. But seriously, no one can tell you how to decorate your own home. Everything you have heard are simply guidelines. So are the next nine tips.

2. Lighting can make or break a design. To achieve drama and effect in your interior design, create variations in the brightness, highlight and shadow with different lighting techniques. I learned this while taking a lighting course in college.

3. Mix different colors and textures. A room with one color or texture throughout can be very dull. If you like a monochromatic color scheme, vary the textures in the room.

4. Color can express a mood. Certain colors might evoke different feelings. Blue, for example, is calming and soothing to some (or depressing to others). How do different colors make you feel?

5. Create contrast. You can use contrast in a variety of ways. You can contrast with color; you can contrast with texture; you can even contrast with lighting. Keep it interesting by highlighting features of your interior decor by using contrast.

6. Create balance and harmony. A small object looks wimpy next to a large object. It also looks unbalanced. Create harmony by varying sizes and grouping smaller objects together to balance out the larger objects. For example: pictures on the wall, furniture and more.

7. Find inspiration everywhere. You don't just have to look in magazines for inspiration. You can find it anywhere. Inspiration is in cities, flower beds, sunsets and even in your makeup bag. Keep your eyes peeled.

8. Hang artwork at eye level. Your neck should not hurt after looking at a picture on the wall. When art is hung at eye level, you should be able to look at it without craning your neck.

9. Negative space is good. Some people think every wall needs to be covered with photographs, or every empty corner needs to be filled. But this just creates clutter. Leave some negative (empty) space in some places.

10. Good design lasts a long time. It is not "trendy." Trends go in and out every few years, and it can be expensive to update the house every time a new trend passes. A well-designed home will last for many years to come.

References:

There are No Rules to Decorating Your Own Home

Decorating with Light to Achieve Drama and Effect

Calming Colors That Will Soothe Your Senses