Amy MariettaHow to Make Your Home Look Like You Hired an Interior Designer
We all love browsing through home design magazines and watching our favorite design shows on HGTV, but how much do those types of designs cost? Depending on your market, you can expect to pay between $50 and $200 an hour for the help of an interior designer, and that’s simply not in many family’s budgets.
While there’s no denying that a skilled designer can help you create the home of your dreams, you can also make your home look just as nice on your own:) We have the internet to go to for inspiration! There’s no replacement for experience and design skill, but a bit of strategy will go a long way. Here’s how to make your home look like you hired an interior designer.
Find Design Inspiration
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of a new space, but you need to start with the foundation before you begin buying things for your home. All professional designers begin the process with inspiration. They’ll make design boards, create color schemes, and have all of their ducks in a row before they start finding pieces that work in the space.
You can do this yourself by looking for some inspiration. You can find interior spaces in magazines, on blogs, and my personal favorite – Pinterest. Just search for some home designs that mean something to you, and collect them all in one place.
Stick to a Color Scheme
Now that you’ve started gathering your inspiration, you might have a better idea of what you like and what you don’t like. This is good since it means you’re making real progress. Now it’s time to choose a color scheme. This can be complicated, so start by researching the psychology behind color to get some clarity.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all color scheme, try to stick to a mix of three colors or shades. Choose a main color to use on the walls, and another for larger accents. Finally, choose a third color that “pops” for small accessories. This is a simple formula you can use for any room.
Look for Textures
One way to distinguish quality design from amateur design is texture. A lot of new designers don’t understand the power of texture, and this is where they fall short. Texture is just as important as color in a hole.
What textures, fabrics, and textiles suit your lifestyle and your color scheme? Are you trying to create a warm, plush environment, or a minimal, modern one? There’s no right answer, but try to keep a much-needed balance.
Add Statement Pieces
An interior designer knows that statement pieces are crucial. If you have glamorous pieces to display, display them:) If there’s something you’ve made an investment in such as an antique or vintage furniture, put it right where everyone can see it.
Showing off these stylish pieces is what really sets your design apart. This isn’t the place to play it safe! If you’re worried about drawing too much attention, simply tone down other things in your space to compensate. Add some personality with these dried flower art pieces which add a beautiful touch to your space. Dried flower art pieces from Roxanne’s Dried Flowers, which are not only an investment because of their long lasting integrity compared to fresh. They are also interchangeable depending on the Season, adding a beautiful personalized touch to your space. Or try adding a mirror because they really open up any room and add more dimension.
Use High-Quality Furniture and Accents
Finally, try your best to fill your home with high-quality furniture and accents. Note that high-quality doesn’t have to mean expensive. It just means looking for solid, sturdy pieces that won’t fall apart. If you can’t afford to furnish your home with all high-quality pieces, choose to invest in the areas you use the most.
For example, if you’re designing your kitchen, you might not have the money to splurge on new appliances. That being said, you can still invest in a shaker style cabinets to bring some class and luxury to your kitchen space. It’s these differences that really matter.
Create a Home You’re Proud Of
Now’s the time to design the home of your dreams. If you’re waiting for the chance to hire a designer to take control of your space, why not give it a try on your own? While a designer can provide excellent recommendations, you can also hone into this experience with a bit of thinking.
It all comes down to learning what you love in your own style and showing it off. You might love to be bold with colors, or maybe you keep things simple. No matter what feels right for you, do it with confidence.
That’s it for now! Hope this helped you create the home of your dreams without hiring an interior designer:)