23 Interior Design Tips And Tricks For Beginners You Should Know
Over the past 25 years as a designer, I’ve learned so much that I thought it’d be fun to share my top interior design tips and tricks. Whether you’re a beginner in your first place or a seasoned homeowner these design secrets will be super helpful.
The thought of designing a room from scratch may seem overwhelming BUT interior design doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With a little time, planning, and creativity, you can create a beautiful home with style and personality.
Some of my best tips are: don’t rush the process, focus on timeless design, shop around for the best deals, and find affordable alternatives to high-end pieces. Once you know your design style, use Pinterest and other resources to find inspiration.
Plan your space carefully, think about how you want it to feel, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different textures and colors. Now let’s create your Designer Home!
Key Takeaways:
- Good design takes time, Don’t rush the process!
- Trends come and go, but timeless design is forever.
- You can almost always get a similar look for less if you shop around.
This post is all about the best Interior Design Tips And Tricks.
READ MORE>>> Home Design Inspiration On Inspired Design Talk 2024
1. Good Design Takes Time
If you’ve been following along, you know this is the mantra I live by. Interior Design is an organic process that happens over time.
The ONLY way to create a home you LOVE is to live in your space, get to know it, and learn what you need. This takes time and should NOT be rushed.
Despite what any furniture salesperson might tell you, design is not cookie-cutter or one-size-fits-all. Everyone is unique and your home should reflect YOUR style and personality.
2. Do NOT Follow The Trends
This is one interior design tips and tricks I learned the hard way… which is why I need to scream it from the rooftops! It’s so easy to buy into the hype of the latest design trends which will look good for a few years.
The problem is interior design is NOT the same as Fashion. Furniture and hard finishes are EXPENSIVE so timeless beats trendy any day of the week.
This is why it’s super IMPORTANT to learn your design style so you create a space you’ll love for years to come. Let go of the need to fit in and have a home that looks like everyone else’s TODAY.
Create a space full of pieces you love now and will continue to LOVE for the next 10-15 years or more! Let’s face it the average person replaces their sofa every 8-15 years so know it’s going to be a part of your life for many years to come.
3. Price Shopping Is A MUST!
This may seem obvious to some but you MUST comparison shop before you buy. The reality is furniture vendors sell the same pieces to multiple stores and it’s NOT always listed for the same price between sales and promotions.
The perfect example is when Wayfair is selling a product for more than its sister site Joss & Main.
A pro tip is to do a Google image search to find all stores that carry the style. Only after you’ve done your homework and research should you make a purchase.
There are always affordable ways to make your home look expensive for less.
4. You Can Always Get The Look For LESS
Similar to the world of fashion, you can almost always get a similar look for less of your favorite furniture and decor. Sometimes you’ll want to splurge and feel worthy of that high-ticket item but other times you’ll want to save.
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Pottery Barn Chesterfield Sofa // Walmart Chesterfield Sofa
The funny thing is when you mix high and low in your modern luxury design no one will know IF you don’t tell them! They’ll just assume you paid a fortune and no one will be the wiser.
This is why I always tell clients to dream and create their ideal space first. Then after you know what everything costs you can swap out high-end pieces for more affordable options.
It’s the BEST way to make your home LOOK expensive and like you hired a designer.
5. Know Your Design Style
This goes back to the importance of NOT following the trends. Once you know your design style you’ll know where to shop to get the look and find inspiration.
Different stores carry different styles so it makes shopping so much easier when you know where to look. You’ll also be able to search Pinterest and Google by style to find inspiration for your room.
Where To Shop
For example, if you love the coastal design style you’ll shop Serena and Lily, for Traditional living room design you’ll shop Pottery Barn, for mid-century modern you’d shop West Elm or Design Within Reach, for Hollywood Glam you can shop Jonathan Adler… You get the point.
6. Nothing is Original
Over the years I’ve learned nothing in design is original. It’s all a combination of different looks, styles, inspiration, and ideas from the past and present.
The secret is to combine inspiration from different sources to create a design that LOOKS original. For example, choosing three room images with the look and feel you want to create will help guide your decisions.
Combining the look of multiple spaces will create an original design that’s unique to you. For the record buying the furniture set off the showroom floor will NOT create a designer home.
7. Shop Multiple Stores
As mentioned above you’ll want to curate an original space. Shopping at multiple stores will help you create an original design and can save you money.
It may be easier to shop from one location but think of the satisfaction you’ll have when you create a space that NO one else has. There’s no better feeling than walking into a home that looks and feels like you.
8. Pinterest Is Your Design Bestie
When it comes to designing your home Pinterest will be your BFF. Not only is it full of an abundance of home decorating ideas and inspiration but it will help you keep EVERYTHING organized in one place.
There’s nothing worse than pulling a product and forgetting where it’s from. Saving it to Pinterest as you go will spare you hours of wasted time trying to find it again.
For example, if I’m designing a Contemporary living room. I would do an image search on Pinterest and Google to get inspiration. I would then create a board and save those images to that board.
I would also save the furniture links so that when I’m ready to buy everything is in one place.
9. Inspiration Is Everywhere
Aside from Instagram and Pinterest, there are so many places to get inspiration. My favorite is coffee table books written by my favorite interior designers. Not only do they have beautiful images but they’re full of interior design tips and tricks you can learn.
Learning How to Style Coffee Table Books is a skill you can master.
[PIN IT FOR LATER]
Your favorite restaurant or local coffee shop is also full of ideas and inspiration. Pay attention to the atmosphere, design elements, and how the spaces make you feel.
Next time you’re watching a TV show or movie look for ideas and inspiration to bring into your home. The grandmother coastal trend was inspired by the movie “Something’s Gotta Give” starring Diane Keaton.
If you live near a new development go on a model home tour to see the latest trends, furniture layouts, and different design styles.
10. Create A Feeling
Whether you believe in home energy or not, there are ways to create a space that feels good to be in. It’s important to remember design is a subjective experience.
What feels good to one person might be horrible for another. Think about the feeling or vibe you want to have when you walk into your room.
Whether you want it to feel inviting and warm, peaceful and calm, or light and airy will determine your design choices. It’s best to choose three words to describe how you want your space to feel from the beginning.
Designer Home Ebook Beginners Guide
The Designer Home ebook will help you work through the process. This step-by-step beginner’s guide will take you from feeling stuck to having an action plan to make your home look like you hired a designer, and I can’t wait to show you how!
By the end of this eBook, you’ll know exactly how to design a room from start to finish in your unique style. Not to mention it’s full of interior design tips and tricks for beginners.
11. Don’t Piece Meal Your Design
This is a mistake I see so many clients make. When you design a room you need to look at everything as a whole NOT individual pieces.
The average person starts off shopping for a sofa and that’s all they see. Then they move onto the coffee table working piece by piece until they finish the room.
The problem with working this way is that nothing relates to each other because there’s no common theme. The best way to visualize your room is to bring all the pieces into Canva so you can see how they work together.
This goes back to our mantra… Good Design Takes Time.
12. Planning Is A Must
Before shopping for any furniture you MUST measure your room and create a floor plan. It’s the only way you’ll know it will fit and you’ll avoid returns.
Once you have your dimensions in the computer you can try different layout ideas to find the best one for your room. It’s much easier than taping out the furniture or moving it all around.
If you don’t have the luxury of time when moving to a new home or apartment ask for the room dimensions so you can start planning the vibe and layout before you move in.
Depending on your timeline and situation you may be able to start ordering so the furniture gets delivered around your move-in date.
For help measuring and creating your floor plan download the free step-by-step detailed PDF guide in the description below.
Trust me you’ll avoid returns and save money in the long run.
13. Create A Mood Board
Your mood board will be the north star of your design. They say you can manifest anything if you create a vision board and look at it every day.
Think of your mood board in the same way. By first creating the look and feel for your space you’ll know exactly what you’re shopping for.
Even if you add a piece that’s out of budget you’ll be SHOCKED when you find the perfect substitute in HomeGoods. That’s the power of visualization.
Try it and let me know how it goes!
14. It’s Free To Dream
This is where the visualization comes into play. It doesn’t cost you anything to dream so pull your favorite pieces onto your design board and create your ideal living space.
As mentioned above there’s always a similar look for less if you take the time to look. Once you have the vision do a Google image search and see what comes up.
The exact piece you love may be available for less on Wayfair, Amazon, Target, or even Walmart.
15. Don’t Underestimate Walmart
I know it sounds crazy and depending on where you live Walmart may not be your go-to resource for furniture and decor. Here in NY, my students are in SHOCK when I tell them Walmart can be a resource for EVERYTHING trending.
Having spent several years behind the scenes designing for Walmart I get it. The affordable prices were a result of the volume purchased NOT a lack of quality.
We shopped Europe and the latest trends when creating the designs that go into the store. The design process was intense, to put it mildly.
16. Performance Fabric Is A MUST
Furniture is an investment and the best way to make sure it lasts is with performance fabric. It’s especially important if you entertain, or have kids or pets.
Names to look out for are Crypton, Sunbrella, and Revolution to name a few. Yes, it will cost a little more but you’ll be so grateful after the first spill comes out with ease.
17. Lighting Is The Jewelry Of A Room
Layered lighting is one of the easiest ways to make your home look expensive. This can be as simple as changing out the dated boob light for a chandelier or adding table lamps for ambiance and atmosphere.
Look at any designer space and you’ll see multiple light sources from general to task and accent lighting. Don’t forget to put them on dimmer switches so you can set the mood any time of day.
18. Texture Will Keep Your Room From Feeling Flat
Layers of texture in your room will add dimension and keep it from feeling flat. It’s an affordable way to make a big impact.
Mix and match pillows, throw blankets, rugs, and curtains in velvet, linen, wool, and faux fur. Create a cozy moment with a smooth leather sofa and chunky knit throw draped over the arm.
Experiment with different textures on furniture like a boucle sofa or a woven rattan upholstered chair for visual interest. Balance smooth surfaces like lacquered cabinets with matte finishes on hardware.
Interior Design Tips And Tricks To Add Texture
Other places to add dimension are on walls with textured paint, grasscloth wallpaper, exposed brick, or wood paneling. Textured flooring can be a plush wool or sisal rug.
Add texture with accessories like woven baskets, ceramic vases, and floral decor. It can even be in lighting like a textured lampshade, rustic chandelier, or sculptural floor lamp.
Just remember balance is key and too much texture can be overwhelming. Experiment and edit to find the perfect blend of materials, fabrics, and finishes.
19. Neutrals Are Anything But Boring
Despite color making a comeback neutrals are still going strong. It’s the perfect color palette to use as the backdrop when creating a timeless design.
Mixing different textures is one way to add interest to a neutral space but it can also be done with different tints, shades, and tones. Combine contrasting colors like ivory and charcoal, black and white, or cream and taupe for depth and sophistication.
Mixing different wood tones, metallic accents, and natural fibers like wicker or sisal will add warmth and dimension to a neutral color palette.
20. You Can Shop Designer Brands Too
You first need to educate yourself on the designer brand names to look for but once you do you’re set. I’ve found high-end furniture and decor at HomeGoods, Amazon, Walmart, and Wayfair.
The crazy part is quite often the price is better than the designer trade discount which can be quite frustrating. I learned this early in my design journey after pricing designer pieces directly from the manufacturer.
It goes back to what I said about Walmart and the volume they buy. When it comes to trade discounts furniture stores get a better rate than the average solopreneur designer.
What this means for you is if you know what to look for and where to shop you can the designer look without the extra service fee. That’s great for you and bad for the designer.
21. There Can Only Be One Star Of The Show
In the world of interior design, just like on stage, there can only be one true star of the show. This doesn’t mean your room has to be boring, it just means you need a clear stand-out piece plus the supporting cast.
When you have too many focal points, your eyes get pulled in different directions creating a sense of chaos and overwhelm. A clear statement piece will make a bold statement while adding drama and personality.
The piece you choose should be a reflection of your unique style. This can be an oversized painting, dramatic chandelier, or sculptural furniture.
Choose a piece you love and the one that speaks to you. Aside from making you happy, it’ll create balance and harmony in your room.
22. Start With A Jumping Off Point
Designers use many things as a jumping-off point to create a color palette. Some use artwork or a rug while others start with a fabric, print, or pattern.
There’s no right or wrong way but the piece you choose should be one you love and plan to use in your design. It’ll be the inspiration that you build your room around.
Unless you’re designing completely separate rooms the color palette you choose should flow into any connecting spaces. Colors and elements should be repeated from room to room to create consistency in your design.
23. Paint is NOT The First Thing You Choose
The absolute most important thing I have learned about designing a room is… Contrary to popular opinion the paint color is NOT the first thing you choose when designing a room. When choosing a paint color everything in your room should be looked at as a whole NOT individual pieces.
This includes your paint color selection. Choosing a paint color when it relates to nothing is a BIG mistake because you’ll have to match your $6000 sofa to the $60 gallon of paint when it should be the other way around.
[PIN IT FOR LATER]
Purchase paint samples in the colors you like. Paint two coats on a test board or piece of card stock, sized 11 x 14″. You can also purchase peel-and-stick samples but they should be placed on cardstock NOT directly on your wall.
Once dry move the painted boards around your room at different times of day with natural and artificial lighting. Also, look at them with your fabric samples, materials, and hard finishes.
And That’s A Wrap!
Creating a beautiful and stylish home doesn’t have to be an expensive or intimidating process. By following these interior design tips and tricks I learned over the past 25 years, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your space into a home you LOVE.
Remember, be patient, focus on timeless design, price shop, and let the creative juices flow. With a plan, some inspiration, and a willingness to take risks, you’ll create a “Designer Home” without breaking the bank. Happy Designing!
This post is all about the Interior Design Tips And Tricks For Beginners.
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Last Updated on September 22, 2024 by Nicole DelaCruz
