In an ideal world of flawless interior design decor, every space is made of thoughtful interior design choices that enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of a home. As a homeowner, your space should reflect your design tastes and also accommodate your unique lifestyle and day-to-day activities. This balanced blend of style and function is made possible when interior design decor choices are made thoughtfully and intentionally. So, let’s take some time to explore how to make the right decor choices, how to determine your signature decor style (do you prefer the cozy appeal of a rustic farmhouse style or the elevated luxury of a sleek modern aesthetic?), and how to incorporate interior design trends into your modern home styling process. The result we’re looking for? A home that enhances your daily living and feels like a true sanctuary for you.
Elevating your home with interior design decor is all about being clear on the ambiance you desire. Ambiance is the mood, character, or atmosphere that you associate with your space. As the homeowner, the ambiance is in your complete control! There are a few variables that you can play with to impact the ambiance and create different feelings in a space.
Psychologically, color has a powerful impact on how our minds interpret the feeling of a space. It’s like the silent language of interior design, signaling to us and our guests whether we should feel energized or serene, warm or chilly, and even welcomed or intimidated. Bold, bright colors can add personality and inject energy into a space, while softer tones will create a more relaxing atmosphere. Monochromatic color schemes can create a sense of harmony and unity. Warm colors can balance cooler natural light in a space, while cool tones can be a great choice to tone down intense southern sun exposure. Color is also a great way to express your preferences and personality in a space - ultimately, you should choose what you love!
Because furniture choices directly impact both the aesthetic and functionality of a room, it’s key that each piece is chosen with thought and intention. We recommend beginning by curating your “anchor” piece of furniture for each space (a bed for the bedroom, a dining table for the dining room, a sofa for the living room, etc.). As you fill in the remaining furnishings, consider proportions: furniture too large for a small space can make it feel cramped and messy, while furniture too small for a large space can create feelings of emptiness and discomfort. Don’t shy away from statement pieces that work as conversation starters for guests. Consider opting for pieces within the same design family for cohesion. Lastly, remember that comfort and function are just as important as style: you deserve a space that meets all of your needs.
The smallest details sometimes have the greatest impact on the sophistication of a space. Remember, luxury isn’t about excess; it’s about intention, quality, and attention to detail. If you’re looking to add a touch of luxury to your home’s ambiance, consider implementing these elevated decor ideas:
To explore tips and inspiration for luxury interior design, explore our design style collective, interior design tips, and professional luxury design services!
Integrating organization strategies into your decor and design planning is an effective way to ensure that your space is functional and accommodates your lifestyle. Fortunately, many modern home decor options have been designed by people who understand the need for a blend of style and function! Here are a few of our favorite home organization options that contain clutter in a chic way:
Our curated collection of stylish organizational finds is also a great place to begin when searching for design inspiration that maximizes style and space!
A cohesive interior relies on thoughtful curation to create balance between design elements. Factors like texture, color, proportion, and style should work hand-in-hand toward a common goal of creating a harmonious design result. When you have a defined aesthetic goal–whether your aim is bohemian, coastal, rustic, minimalist, or anything in between–use that aesthetic as your north star through the rest of the process. As you curate pieces to fill your space, embrace the power of repetition in creating cohesion; repeat colors, patterns, and textures to tie areas of the room together. When it comes to selecting a color palette, consider the 60-30-10 rule: at least 60% of the room in the dominant color, up to 30% in a secondary color, and 10% in an accent color. Finally, take the time to browse inspiration from homes you love, and incorporate your favorite elements into your own space.
Choosing and curating the right design style for your home is a process of self-reflection and experimentation. The style you choose should reflect your personality and inspire you! We recommend beginning by identifying your basic preferences. Do you prefer minimalism or maximalism? Are bright colors or muted tones more appealing? Let these preferences guide you as you explore a wide variety of design types. Here are a few common styles, plus some we’ve seen rise in popularity lately:
Mid-Century Modern design is characterized by clean, sleek lines, pops of bolder colors, a mix of natural and man-made material choices, an emphasis on minimalism and functionality, and integration of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Farmhouse style is defined by a neutral base color palette of creams and whites, natural wood tones and materials, large and comfortable furniture, small touches of rustic design, and an emphasis on a welcoming and comforting atmosphere.
Japandi style is a blend of Japanese and Scandinavian design, and is characterized by minimalism, a natural and nature-inspired color palette, balance in layout and proportion, an emphasis on serenity, and embodying Wabi Sabi and Hygge principles of comfort.
Industrial style is often more raw than other design styles, and its hallmarks include drawing inspiration from factories and warehouses, incorporating exposed textural elements like brick, metal, and concrete, and large spaces with open layouts.
To elevate your home and transform it into a haven of taste and function, the true cornerstone is exemplifying your personality and preferences in your design style. From there, incorporating thoughtful decor touches, chic-yet-practical furniture with storage features, and intentional color palettes will complete the ambiance of each room. As a professional design team, we encourage you to step outside the familiar, explore diverse design styles, and draw inspiration from all around you as you craft your ideal space.
To help you on your design creation journey, we’ve compiled meticulously curated collections of design inspiration, organizational resources, product recommendations, and more. And, once you’ve perused our site and are ready to transform your home, our team of expert interior designers are prepared to help your vision come to life!
What is the best way to start with interior design decor?
A: One great way to begin is defining your style preferences! You can take inventory of your own home and browse decor inspiration, noting each piece or element that you enjoy. Find the commonalities among items on your list, and begin incorporating more design choices that align with your preferences!
How do I design a room that feels both stylish and functional?
A: To blend style with function, we recommend looking into organizational solutions that are chic and elevated. Upgrading materials and textures on standard storage items (containers, shelving, etc.), or adding storage to styled room items (like sofas) are great ways to increase style and function hand-in-hand without compromising on either.
What are some timeless home decor ideas that never go out of style?
A: The best way to ensure your home decor is timeless is to align it with your personality and essence! Trends go in and out of style, but the things that are meaningful to you and the people you share a home with often stay tasteful much, much longer. To answer more specifically, we’ve seen timelessness in a variety of decor choices: neutral color palettes, natural wood and stone textures, well-made and comfortable furniture, built-in cabinetry, leather materials, classic patterns like plaids or herringbone, and brass or bronze fixtures.
How can I incorporate modern home decor into my existing space?
A: Modern home decor choices can have a massive impact on the ambiance of a space. To integrate a new style into your home, we recommend starting by replacing a few key decor elements (like rugs, artwork, small decor pieces, drapes, duvet covers, etc.) with their modern versions. This allows you to ensure you enjoy the new style aesthetic and to transition your space piece by piece!
Where can I find inspiration for home interior design?
A: We recommend starting by scrolling our curated Style Collective for ideas! Social media, Pinterest, magazines, home renovation TV shows, and local Parade of Homes events are other great ways to discover inspiration for your home’s interior design. Just remember, your own preference, creativity, home layout, and functional needs should take precedence over any Pinterest-inspired trend you might come across!
