The Style Files
My thoughts on design, writing and entrepreneurship.
Photo credit (background): www.pexels.com
Photo credit (background): www.pexels.com
Home goals! Photo credit: unsplash.com As someone with a background in design, I can tell you it definitely comes in handy when envisioning your space. Think of it as a cheat sheet to design like a pro! I'm a big proponent of getting back to basics and making projects approachable. 1. Stick with a theme The way to start any design is to identify the theme you want for a space. Consider major themes like farmhouse, modern, bohemian, corporate, etc. It could be anything: a season, city, favorite activity or visual element that ties in with the rest of your house or neighborhood. Be bold and consistent with this one. The theme here is dark, metallic and masculine. Photo credit: unsplash.com 2. Choose your colors Choose a main color, a secondary color and possibly a third color for small touches. Please do this BEFORE you start anything else. (We all know what it's like to let your creativity run wild and end up with every color in the crayon box!) Pro tip: color generators like www.canva.com can help you if you're feeling like a fish out of water. Just remember that colors look way more intense on a wall than a tiny swatch. Choose wisely! Color can make or break a designed space. Photo credit: www.pexels.com 3. Think big, then little When buying furniture or planning a room, think of the major items first. For example, buy a couch and match other furniture accordingly. Focusing on the big things also helps make the process more manageable. Start with the desk and move on to smaller items. Photo credit: www.unsplash.com 4. Play with pattern, color and texture It's all about adding touches of visual interest. You can do that by incorporating patterns or prints, different colors and textures in your design. Some spaces choose to go heavy on one visual medium (see the texture-rich patio at the top of this article, for example) while others like the kitchen below rely on patterns. This kitchen uses multiple patterns (marble, honeycomb) to add visual interest. Photo credit: www.unsplash.com 5. Positive and negative space Ivy Roberts explains "[p]ositive space refers to the main focus of a picture, while negative space refers to the background" (study.com/academy/lesson/positive-negative-space-in-art-definition-examples.html.). Using positive and negative space is like inhaling and exhaling. You need a balance so your design isn't too crowded or too empty in a 2D or 3D sense. Not too little and not too much! Photo credit: www.pexels.com 6. Size matters In the design world, size as a ratio is referred to as scale. The size or scale of everything should make sense in your space. For example, it's best to put a large picture or decoration on a large wall and a small desk in a tiny office. That may sound simple but it's important to remember for a balanced look. The table, chairs, lamp and plant are all the right size for a small space. Photo credit: www.unsplash.com 7. Use and beauty Never forget that your space should be useful! Beauty is key but good architecture and interior design is a marriage of form and function. Often, that means you should consider the purpose of a room before designing it. A mud room, for example, should be practical so delicate furniture wouldn't suit the space. A bathroom should always balance use and beauty. Photo credit: www.pexels.com 8. Don't be afraid The biggest mistake homeowners make is being afraid to try something new. Make a statement and be proud of your design choices! Approach design like a child in that you should choose something that makes you happy. If we all made safe decisions about something as expressive and personal as design, you'd end up with a waiting room vibe. Interior design is meant to reflect the people who use it. Above all, don't be afraid to use color! Photo credit: www.unsplash.com 9. Editing is everything Editing goes back to honoring your theme. Avoid looking haphazard or random at all costs! Remember that editing is a part of the design process and something that even professionals do. The important thing is to end up with a space you love so there's no harm in making adjustments to get you there. 10. Remember the feeling When you're all done, good architecture or interior design should give you a feeling. Should your space feel relaxing, playful, dynamic or formal? It depends on what you're after. Also remember that design is somewhat subjective so a room that gives you all the feels might not be your neighbor's cup of tea. That's no big deal! If you like it, that's all that really matters. Home is often a peaceful place reflected by your design choices. Photo credit: www.pexels.com Now that you know how to conceptualize design, you're on your way! Obviously there are a million ways to approach art, design, organization and living pretty and these tips are mainly meant as an introduction. Did you apply any of them to your own home? Are you interested in reading more actionable design articles like these? Let me know what you think in the comments section and I hope to see you again soon!
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AuthorHi, my name is Martha Oschwald and I'm a content writer focused on design. This page is meant to give you a taste of my writing style and latest musings. Archives
April 2022
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