Design Like a Pro: 11 Tips for Styling Your Home
If you've ever wondered how to achieve that livable luxe look in your home, you're in for a treat. In this blog post, we'll share some expert tips on styling your home like a designer. From creating a clean canvas to playing with patterns and colors, we've got all the inside scoop you need to make your home feel like it's professionally designed. Whether you're a design enthusiast or just looking to refresh your space, these simple ideas will help you achieve that elevated look in your own home.
1.Start with a Clean Canvas
When it comes to interior design, it's essential to begin with a clean and clutter-free canvas. Decluttering your space can make a world of difference in how your home looks and feels. It's like setting the stage for your design journey.
Design: Leibal, Photography: Mohammad Ashkanani & Bader Alsabah
2. Embrace the Power of a Palette
Select a sophisticated and cohesive color palette that defines the mood. Rich, neutral colors such as deep earth tones and warm whites or taupes work well together.
Neutral tones are a designer's secret weapon. These colors create a serene and elegant backdrop for your space, allowing your furnishings and decor to shine. Think soft whites, calming grays, and subtle beiges to set the stage.
Introduce accents of wood tones and metals, such as white oak, walnut, White bronze, satin nickel, blackened brass, unlacquered brass for a beautiful patina to evolve over time.
Design: House of Grey for Dezeen
3. Mix Textures for Depth
A well-designed space has depth and character. Mixing textures is an easy way to achieve this. Consider incorporating plush fabrics, natural wood, metallic accents, and even a touch of glass. This variety creates visual interest and adds a luxurious touch to your interior.
Select high quality fabrics (look for “double rubs” on the fabric description; double rubs are a way to measure the abrasion resistance and durability of a fabric, the higher the better).
Incorporate textures in the upholstery, drapery, and pillows to add depth and interest to the space.
Design: Sandra Weingort, Art: © Oscar Murillo/David Zwirner
4. Invest in Quality Furniture
Quality over quantity is the mantra of skilled designers versus “fast furniture”. Invest in timeless, well-made furniture pieces that will stand the test of time. They'll not only look great, but also provide comfort and durability.
Additionally, custom-made pieces can not only fit a space perfectly, but also reflect your style. The expense is upfront, but the quality will last a lifetime and you will avoid unnecessary replacements.
Image Credit: Maiden Home
5. Layer Your Lighting
Good lighting is key to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Layer your lighting with ambient, task, and accent lighting. Incorporate decorative flushmounts, chandeliers, sconces, floor and table lamps to provide both functional and aesthetic illumination. Use dimmer switches to control the mood [a must].
Design: Studio Giancarlo Valle, Photography: Depasquale + Maffini
6. Incorporate Art and Personal Touches
To make your home truly your own, add personal touches and artwork. Designers often work with talented artists or creators to create custom pieces. You don't have to go that far, but hanging art, family photos, or sentimental items can bring warmth and character to your space. Or focus on one standout piece in a space.
Accessorize with carefully curated pieces such as art, sculptures, and decorative objects that speak to your personality and lifestyle. Throw in a wild card, an element of surprise if it speaks to you. Every piece or object should have meaning. This is where a space starts to tell a story.
**Slightly biased art selections below from Wescover because I have been sourcing all of my art from there lately. I especially love that you can work directly with the artist or creator to customize pieces!
7. Play with Patterns and Colors
Don't be afraid to play with patterns and colors. Many homes feature bold patterns and rich hues to make a statement. You can introduce these elements through throw pillows, rugs, or accent walls to add personality and style to your home.
Design: Tali Roth, Photography: Lillie Thompson
Design: Tali Roth, Photography: Lillie Thompson
8. Think About Scale and Proportion
Scale and proportion are crucial in interior design. Make sure your furniture fits your space correctly, and don't overwhelm a small room with large pieces. Balance is the key to creating a harmonious look.
9. Don't Forget the Details
Small details can make a big difference. Consider hardware, trims, and finishes when selecting furnishings and decor. These elements can elevate your design to the next level.
Circling back to lighting, lighting is considered to be the jewelry of a space. Especially if you lean towards a more minimal look, lighting is a great way to elevate the details of a room.
Cabinet pulls, throw pillows, door knobs, coffee table books, flea market decor finds, etc. All of these small details will make a bigger overall impact.
10. Create Cozy Corners
Luxe living often feature cozy reading nooks, intimate conversation areas, and inviting corners. Create these cozy spaces in your home with comfortable seating, soft lighting, and some of your favorite books or magazines.
11. Balance
Affordable luxury is all about balance. I personally promote mixing high and low ($ - $$$$) pieces. Let’s say you score some epic one-of-a-kind vintage finds at a flea market (that didn’t cost an arm and a leg), eBay, or even Facebook Marketplace —mix them in with that custom sofa that probably did cost an arm and a leg. The keywords are “livable luxury”. We don’t want museum vibes where you feel like you have to ask to ask permission to sit down. Especially if you have pets or kids, you don’t want to have to worry about an $800 vase breaking. Find your happy medium.
Styling your home like a designer is all about creating a space that feels luxurious, inviting, and uniquely yours. Start with a clean slate, embrace neutral and earthy tones, mix textures, invest in quality pieces, and pay attention to the details. With these tips, you can transform your home into an oasis that you'll love coming back to every day.