There are paint colours, cabinet and floor stains, counter tops, tiles, furniture pieces and so many other small things to consider, it’s hard to know where to start. So how do you put them all together to create a cohesive well designed space? 

This month I have a few simple rules for you to keep in mind. Correction, there are no rules per se but if your designs are not all they could be, these guidelines might help to keep you in check when you are faced with your own design-phobia.

Space

I could bore you with some technical definition for this but I won’t. Everyone knows what space is but you have to consider it as the main factor in your design. Sit down with a pencil and paper and map it out. Think about where the entryways are to the room and how people will be moving through the room. Think about what activities will be taking place there and where the traffic lanes will be. You don’t want people stubbing their toes in the room so plan accordingly and think about the scale of furniture that will be most appropriate. 

Lines

These are what give direction and feeling to a room. You want to create balance with the lines in your space. If you have a lot of straight horizontal lines in your room, such as modern furniture, baseboards and casings, you will create a feeling of solidity and strength, movement and action. These lines can be achieved through artwork and upholstery. To counter-balance these hard lines, it’s then important to introduce curved lines with other items like window coverings or furniture with more curved edges; these have more of a delicate effect in a room. Finding the right balance in your room will keep it visually interesting and diverse.

Shape and Mass

This, again, is key to planning out a room. If you have a small room for example, the last thing you want to do is put heavy furniture in the space. This will clutter it up and make it look cramped. The same goes for a large room having furniture that is too small in scale, it just won’t look right. 

Shapes also play a huge roll in interiors, you want to be sure to include many shapes in your space to create balance. What I mean by this is that if you have a very rigid, clean-lined sofa then I would break that up with maybe an oval coffee table or side tables that are circular. Few interiors employ only one shape or form, so be sure to include a few. 

Texture

People don’t think of texture being added to a room but texture can come in many forms: the roughness of a rock fireplace, the deep-pile of a shag rug, or even the smooth texture of glass. Texture provides a sensation and adds to the character of the space. Including a few different types of textures to a space will add a lot of interest and draw your eye around the room. For example, if you have dark shiny floors, using a shag rug with a gorgeous sofa upholstered in felt will create great diversity in texture. All the textures will work together in creating a space that is uniform and clean.

Light

A room must have sufficient light in order to be seen properly. What’s the point of creating a beautiful, well designed space if you are not going to be able to see it? You must make sure to have several different types of lighting in your space: from floors lamps, to table lamps, to sconces. By adding these different types of lighting in a space—and keeping in mind how much natural light you have—you will create mood and ambience. Now, don’t go out and start buying all the floor lamps and table lamps you can, there has to be a balance as too much light is a hindrance to any room.

Colour

Colour is dependant on how much light you have in the room; it will also significantly alter the perception of the shape and size of the objects in your space. You MUST introduce colour in your space and you can do this with upholstery, window coverings, furniture, accessories and paint. Colour provides interest to a room and creates drama. Now when thinking about color be sure to keep a few things in mind, as far as paint goes you will want to balance out your color choices. So if you have a fairly dark colour on the wall then you will want lighter furnishings and vice versa. Don’t be afraid of colour and introduce tones you wouldn’t normally think of, you will be surprised. 

All of the above elements of design really work hand in hand in creating a space that looks well designed and well thought out. It is not an easy task and can sometimes seem overwhelming. However with the help of a designer or keeping these rules in mind, you will see that it will come by a lot easier. Sit down with a pen and paper (maybe with wine in hand to stay calm), take measurements and plan appropriately before you start making big decisions as you’ll be living with them for a long time.

Happy decorating!