You’ve just moved into your first apartment, or perhaps you’ve been living in your home for years and the place is starting to grow dull. How can you style your home decor to look like you paid a fortune for a professional interior designer? Moreover, how can you create that Instagram-worthy effect while keeping your personal taste?
Stick to a cohesive theme
Disclaimer: I’m not talking about the dated “matchy-matchy” look, where the sofa-matches-the-curtains-match-the-throw-pillows-matching-the-tablecloth. But trust me, a magenta linear sofa will be an eyesore against a traditional Persian rug. A great pointer is to stick with the 80-20 rule: 80 percent of your décor should be in your preferred home decor style, with another 20 percent of a complementing style that you like as well. This prevents the room from looking too much like a catalog display and will make sure that you like the décor even after trends shift.
Do Lighting Right
Besides furnishing, lighting is the single most important factor in any room. Too little lighting will make the coziest room appear spooky, while too much will fade out the colors. Utilize natural light wherever possible. With artificial lighting, be mindful of the color temperature. Light bulbs that are too white will give your room an unappealing hospital-like feel, but lighting that’s too warm can appear too yellow, especially in more modern settings.
Statement Furniture Pieces
Interior designers love statement furnishing. Whether it’s a plush velvet sofa in a striking red hue or an industrial style metal coffee table, these accent pieces serve as the focal point of the room and make for great conversations starters. Be careful not to overdo it, since too many statement pieces will overwhelm the entire room.
Clean up and Declutter
Even the most beautiful home will look downright appalling if its messy or dirty. Avoid cluttering couches, dressers, or chairs. Vacuum carpets and rugs regularly and sweep floors. Too many kitchen appliances such as toasters or tea kettles lining your kitchen counters will overwhelm your kitchen design, so store most of them out of site. When you do need some stuff to be handy, store it in decorative baskets or bins. That way you’ll maintain a spotless, organized appearance.