Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason, a husband-wife duo of professional interior designers who work under their brand, AphroChic, say everyone should start transforming their place by selecting a style; thinking of the entire home with a unifying theme will promote unity and harmony. "It can be as simple as choosing casual instead of formal or traditional instead of contemporary," Hays and Mason wrote. "From there, you can refine it to a more specific style, such as French country, Tuscan, modern Victorian, or shabby chic."
Another principle is balance—distributing visual weight. "You can do it symmetrically, as is common in traditional interiors, or with asymmetrical balance as seen in casual interiors."
"Within each room, there should be a focal point. In a living room, it could be a fireplace or a piece of art. It sets itself apart by scale, color, or texture," the couple explained.
To add visual interest to a room, think of contrast and variety. "Keep a rhythm in mind with repeating elements of the same color, texture, or pattern, and a progression of sizes or colors."
An essential part of interior design is choosing a color palette. You could have a different style and color scheme in each room, but often you will want to tie the whole dwelling together. Think what colors and patterns would suit a small room as well as a large one.
"Mixing patterns in home decor is one of the more advanced parts of interior design," Hays and Mason said. "Patterns do not have to match, but they need to complement and coordinate with each other. This is done by considering color, size, and scale."
Just remember that nobody was born with the ability to reimagine a room. Settling on furniture placement, wall hangings, as well as rug and accent choices is something you can learn over time!
