12 Easy Decorating Tips to Transform Any Room
Get a great result even without an experienced touch by following these basic design guidelines
Judith Taylor
31 December 2016
I hate to break it to you, but designers don’t follow a secret rule book. There are no hard and fast laws governing what we do. We are creative types by nature and love to imagine, dream and explore, following our intuition. That said, there are some rough principles that guide us to ensure a great result every time. They are just tried and true things that work. And these aren’t tricks or skills that take years to master. Anyone can do them from day one. Consider this a foundation for developing your own quirky, creative, rule-breaking intuition.
1. Pick the paint colour last
I get calls all the time from homeowners who want to pick a paint colour before they move in. I get the logic. Why not arrive to walls with a fresh coat of paint? Of course you can do it this way, but in my opinion it’s not ideal.
There are thousands of paint colours with various tints, tones and shades. And each one looks different from home to home, because light sources vary, meaning what looks good in your current home might not in your new one. You want the colour that best complements your upholstery, artwork, rug and whatever else. You can pick that colour only if your stuff is actually inside your home.
I get calls all the time from homeowners who want to pick a paint colour before they move in. I get the logic. Why not arrive to walls with a fresh coat of paint? Of course you can do it this way, but in my opinion it’s not ideal.
There are thousands of paint colours with various tints, tones and shades. And each one looks different from home to home, because light sources vary, meaning what looks good in your current home might not in your new one. You want the colour that best complements your upholstery, artwork, rug and whatever else. You can pick that colour only if your stuff is actually inside your home.
2. Give your furniture some breathing room
Resist overcrowding a room. Gracious living means space to maneuver with ease. This is really great news if you are working with a tight budget. You don’t need to fill up a space with lots of furniture. Spend more of your budget on fewer but better-quality pieces, and your room will look better than if it’s stuffed to the gills with flea market finds. The high-backed chairs shown here, for example, stand out because they don’t have to fight for attention.
Resist overcrowding a room. Gracious living means space to maneuver with ease. This is really great news if you are working with a tight budget. You don’t need to fill up a space with lots of furniture. Spend more of your budget on fewer but better-quality pieces, and your room will look better than if it’s stuffed to the gills with flea market finds. The high-backed chairs shown here, for example, stand out because they don’t have to fight for attention.
3. Hang artwork at the right height
Galleries and museums hang artwork so that the midline (centre) of each piece is 57 inches to 60 inches from the floor. (The average human eye level is 57 inches.) And you should do the same.
In a room like this, where the ceilings soar, there might be a tendency to hang the art higher. But remember: It needs to relate to human scale, not the structure’s scale.
If you’re not sure, take a picture. It’s remarkable how much a photo can reveal. Print it out or use Photoshop or an app to draw on the photo. This can give you a sense of whether a larger or smaller piece of art is needed or a tall plant might be best to fill a vacant spot.
Galleries and museums hang artwork so that the midline (centre) of each piece is 57 inches to 60 inches from the floor. (The average human eye level is 57 inches.) And you should do the same.
In a room like this, where the ceilings soar, there might be a tendency to hang the art higher. But remember: It needs to relate to human scale, not the structure’s scale.
If you’re not sure, take a picture. It’s remarkable how much a photo can reveal. Print it out or use Photoshop or an app to draw on the photo. This can give you a sense of whether a larger or smaller piece of art is needed or a tall plant might be best to fill a vacant spot.
4. Know how to arrange furniture on a rug
There are basically three ways you can arrange furniture on your rug.
All on: The rug is large enough to place all of the furniture legs on top of it. This creates a more luxurious feel. For this, bigger is better. Just be sure to leave at least 12 to 18 inches of floor surface on all four sides of the rug’s borders.
All off: If you have a small room, keeping all legs off the rug is a great cost-effective choice. You don’t want to pick too small a rug, though, or it may look insignificant, like an afterthought. The rug should appear as though it could touch the front legs of each of the seating pieces. This approach is best suited when you’re layering a pattern over a larger solid or textured rug.
There are basically three ways you can arrange furniture on your rug.
All on: The rug is large enough to place all of the furniture legs on top of it. This creates a more luxurious feel. For this, bigger is better. Just be sure to leave at least 12 to 18 inches of floor surface on all four sides of the rug’s borders.
All off: If you have a small room, keeping all legs off the rug is a great cost-effective choice. You don’t want to pick too small a rug, though, or it may look insignificant, like an afterthought. The rug should appear as though it could touch the front legs of each of the seating pieces. This approach is best suited when you’re layering a pattern over a larger solid or textured rug.
Front on: Put just the front feet of all your seating pieces on the rug to tie the arrangement together visually and create a well-defined space while lending a feeling of openness.
5. Resist the urge to be too theme-y
For example, the Cape Cod look is a very popular request. You know the hallmarks: beadboard, a blue and white nautical palette, some sailboat paintings. But this has been done so many times, it lacks individuality. In this room the coastal vibe was achieved through a palette, artwork and materials that give the effect without drawing on the obvious clichés.
For example, the Cape Cod look is a very popular request. You know the hallmarks: beadboard, a blue and white nautical palette, some sailboat paintings. But this has been done so many times, it lacks individuality. In this room the coastal vibe was achieved through a palette, artwork and materials that give the effect without drawing on the obvious clichés.
6. Create a focal point
There are leading roles and supporting cast members in any production. The same holds true in design. Choose your star and make it the focal point to anchor a room. Allow other items to take a secondary role. Don’t ask everything to have a leading role; it will just result in visual noise.
Your focal point might be a dramatic hood in the kitchen, a mantel and art piece in the living room or a headboard in the bedroom. Whatever it is, choose something that will draw attention. In this room the fireplace and the lighting work together as a collective focal point, bringing your eye right to the centre of the composition and anchoring it there.
There are leading roles and supporting cast members in any production. The same holds true in design. Choose your star and make it the focal point to anchor a room. Allow other items to take a secondary role. Don’t ask everything to have a leading role; it will just result in visual noise.
Your focal point might be a dramatic hood in the kitchen, a mantel and art piece in the living room or a headboard in the bedroom. Whatever it is, choose something that will draw attention. In this room the fireplace and the lighting work together as a collective focal point, bringing your eye right to the centre of the composition and anchoring it there.
7. Consider sight lines
Your focal point should be free and clear from one room to the next, so that it feels like you’re being drawn between them. That’s why the best spot for a focal point is usually directly across from the entrance to the room.
Your focal point should be free and clear from one room to the next, so that it feels like you’re being drawn between them. That’s why the best spot for a focal point is usually directly across from the entrance to the room.
8. Edit your collectibles
Don’t hang on to a piece that just doesn’t fit. I don’t care if your great-aunt Sally gave it to you. If it’s not working for you, then find a new home for it (maybe in a different room).
The unifying theme here is the use of black in the utilitarian pieces. The balance is almost perfect. It reminds me of something Coco Chanel said about accessorising: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” In design, know when to stop.
What to Let Go and What to Keep
Don’t hang on to a piece that just doesn’t fit. I don’t care if your great-aunt Sally gave it to you. If it’s not working for you, then find a new home for it (maybe in a different room).
The unifying theme here is the use of black in the utilitarian pieces. The balance is almost perfect. It reminds me of something Coco Chanel said about accessorising: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” In design, know when to stop.
What to Let Go and What to Keep
9. Vary the scale
What looks good in the store may look like an elephant in the room when you bring it home. Or it’s too tiny to be of any significance. So always vary scale and proportion.
The oversize sunburst mirror frame fills up the wall space nicely here, while the sand dollars make an interesting grouping below. They would be much too insignificant individually. Threes and fives make for more pleasing arrangements than even numbers.
What looks good in the store may look like an elephant in the room when you bring it home. Or it’s too tiny to be of any significance. So always vary scale and proportion.
The oversize sunburst mirror frame fills up the wall space nicely here, while the sand dollars make an interesting grouping below. They would be much too insignificant individually. Threes and fives make for more pleasing arrangements than even numbers.
10. Add layers of lighting
In this kitchen seating area, the backsplash is lit, the artwork is highlighted and the cabinet interiors are filled with light. One central lighting fixture would not have had nearly the same dramatic result.
Professionals build layers of lighting to create interest, intrigue and variety. In a room where everything is lit evenly, nothing stands out. Pick a focal point and perhaps a secondary focal point and highlight those. Add general ambient lighting and some lower lighting, like table lamps, for interest.
5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting
In this kitchen seating area, the backsplash is lit, the artwork is highlighted and the cabinet interiors are filled with light. One central lighting fixture would not have had nearly the same dramatic result.
Professionals build layers of lighting to create interest, intrigue and variety. In a room where everything is lit evenly, nothing stands out. Pick a focal point and perhaps a secondary focal point and highlight those. Add general ambient lighting and some lower lighting, like table lamps, for interest.
5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting
11. Be bold
Personality is what makes a space great. Make your own statement and have fun. The more you try, the more you will begin to see what works and what doesn’t.
Incorporate unexpected elements for drama. The unconventional ottoman seats, library-style bookshelves and oversize chandelier here are all unexpected in a conventional living room, but the result has charisma. Eschew expected pieces and interpretations if you want a room that will really wow.
Personality is what makes a space great. Make your own statement and have fun. The more you try, the more you will begin to see what works and what doesn’t.
Incorporate unexpected elements for drama. The unconventional ottoman seats, library-style bookshelves and oversize chandelier here are all unexpected in a conventional living room, but the result has charisma. Eschew expected pieces and interpretations if you want a room that will really wow.
12. Ignore all principles in favour of creativity
Having some guidelines gives people a good starting point for furnishing and decorating their home, even if some of them aren’t practical for a particular space.
Go with something personal that makes you smile and, above all, is comfortable. Overly designed rooms don’t really translate in modern life. A pillow collection and an art arrangement that are seemingly haphazard, as shown here, create a dressed-down look with plenty of style.
Read more:
Design Musts for an Urban Indian Apartment
5 Tips on Lighting Your House Right
Tell us:
Do you have any decorating tips to share? Comment below.
Having some guidelines gives people a good starting point for furnishing and decorating their home, even if some of them aren’t practical for a particular space.
Go with something personal that makes you smile and, above all, is comfortable. Overly designed rooms don’t really translate in modern life. A pillow collection and an art arrangement that are seemingly haphazard, as shown here, create a dressed-down look with plenty of style.
Read more:
Design Musts for an Urban Indian Apartment
5 Tips on Lighting Your House Right
Tell us:
Do you have any decorating tips to share? Comment below.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Decorating Ideas
10 Unique Options for Your Floors
Discover a whole new world beyond solid stones and panelled hardwoods
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
How to Decorate an Empty Corner
There's a design opportunity lurking in every nook of a home ... we show you inspirational corner decor ideas
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
10 Unusual Things to Store on Your Walls
By Jess McBride
Running low on storage space? Your walls may hold the answer
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
13 Modern Chaise Designs Perfect For Sophisticated Luxury
By Susan Redman
Kick off your shoes and settle down for a decadent lounge on one of these classic chaise designs
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
Modern, Stylish Ways to Use Dark Wood at Home
Add some depth to your rooms with one of these contemporary ways to weave in dark timber
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
10 Stylish Substitutes for White Marble
By Laura Wheat
Explore the selection of stunning colours and patterns available in natural stone
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
How to Deal With the Dead Zones in Your Home
By Laura Wheat
Enliven those lacklustre locations that fail to make the grade
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
7 Design Mistakes to Avoid in Your Hallway
Dodge the errors that can leave a hallway cluttered and dull with these easy-to-adopt guidelines for a stylish space
Full Story
Houzz Tours
100 of the Best New Zealand Homes on Houzz
By Jenny Drew
Dive deep into some of the most inspiring residential designs from the Land of the Long White Cloud
Full Story
Thanks for sharing very nice photos and room decor used to plantation shutters
Thanks.
Really helpful and great ideas !!
What I got from this article is that the only rule is break the rules. Hang pics at correct height but, in almost every other photo, pictures are NOT hung at that height. Three ways to arrange furniture on a rug but, in other photos, furniture is arranged in a combination of those ways on one rug. Make your home look and feel the way you like it. Any other way isn't go to make you happy. Forget the rules, and usually the designers. You can almost always spot a room done by a designer by the fact that it simply isn't workable to live in.