Without harmony in a design, there is chaos.  When you are designing your space, it is easy to find things you like and want in your home; however, the challenge occurs when decor, furniture, and architecture clash.  Some people have a natural eye when it comes to creating a balanced space, whereas the majority of us may have no idea where to start.  And if you fall into the category with most individuals, designing your home feels like a daunting and challenging task but have no fear!  We put together simple guidelines you should use to help your design style work with itself, not against itself.   

Theme

Essentially, deciding what you are trying to accomplish throughout your design is the best place to start.  Do you know a theme you would like to attempt to mimic?  Are you trying to make your room more upbeat and inviting or more relaxed and subtler?  Colors can play a vital role in how your room feels.  A basic rule of thumb is to not go over three colors in your room’s design.  A primary color should be sixty percent of the color in the room.  Find a secondary color to use for the other thirty percent of the room.  Lastly, you can add an accent color through decor, pictures, and other elements to fill the remaining ten percent.  There are many different combinations of colors ratios you can apply to your home, but this is a safe place to start.   Pay attention to hues and tones as well.  If you choose a muted color palette, metallic colors can stand out exceptionally well.  You can use these different hues and tones to create focal points in your room.

Balance

Hardwood, tile, curtains, wallpaper, even furniture can all add character to a room.  Be cognitive of making a room feel “too busy.”  If you have a busy patterned wallpaper, allow it to be the focus of the design.  If you apply too many patterns, textures, and designs, a space can feel overwhelming.  Also, remember that unctionality is a key element to consider; less is always more.  Over-furnishing a room can be obtrusive to your design.  Having an open space to move freely can make an atmosphere more inviting to you and your guest.  Make sure the natural elements in your home, like woods and stones, complement each other and do not work against each other by both demanding attention.  Decide how you plan to use symmetry in creating before starting your design.  Do you want a room asymmetrical or perfect symmetrical?  Knowing before you start a project can save you time and money later in the design process.

Express Yourself

Maybe you have seen designs you like on Pinterest or online.  Perhaps, you love how your friend’s kitchen looks, or you would love to have a restroom like the one in the hotel you stayed in last weekend.  Borrowing ideas from other designs that are tried and true are great!  Remember your home is tailored to you.  Your design should express what makes you happy.  All guidelines are just to help you get started.  Truly customizing your space to you, begins with discovering what you love.  

In conclusion, remember that having balance and a theme is essential, but what makes your space yours is most important.   How you create your space is truly up to you, but we do not recommend going into it with no game plan.  Decide what you want to accomplish before you buy furniture and decor because preplanning a room will save you time and expenses.