Design 101
Let's start with the basics. Rules: There are no rules. Mix and match colors, textures and styles. Make each room your own. With that said, these elements of designs will help you execute your decor dreams. Function Emotion Arrange Refresh Space (Acronym: FEARS), but fear not my design trainee. I will go through each process in detail. Let's begin!
Inspiration: Interior Design Link
Function: This is probably the easiest element to tackle. What will be the function of the room? Really think about it. Does the room serve multi-purposes? Or just one? For example this industrial desk could be an office, but it could also serve as one of the purposes of a living room. The function of the room will help you decide what you'd essentially put in it.
Source of Inspiration: Link
Emotion: This is the most abstract element in the process. Visualize how you'd like someone to feel when they walk into the room. Several aspects come to play: balance, rhythm, emphasis and proportion. Color is a big factor. Many believe there's a psychology to color and how it impacts your mood. Think red versus blue. Red evokes passion, danger, excitement and strength. Those emotions up your heart rate and fire up your senses (probably how the "Red Room" got its name in the Fifty Shades of Grey series). Blue evokes tranquility, peace, masculinity and clarity.
Source of Inspiration: One Kings Lane Link
Arrange: This is the most important step in the decor process. You can have amazing pieces of furniture and art, but if its not put in the right place - forget it! The room may not be functional (refer to first element of the process). Arrangement is all about feng shui. You have to consider a variety of scenarios; everything from the size of the space (refer to last element of the process), how much room each piece of furniture takes, what you'd like to hang up on the walls, and all the decorations that fill a room. Then you have to arrange it in a way that's functional and visually pleasing to the eye.
Source of inspiration: The Entertaining House Link
Refresh: Insert creativity here. This process is guaranteed to set your home apart from a house. You can play with patterns and textures, adding depth and warmth to a room. Express yourself. If you're a traveler, you can use maps and globes. If you're loud and bold, you can mix and match patterns. Go wild, but respect the boundaries. There's a fine line between style and tackiness.
Source of inspiration: HGTV's Fixer Upper Link
Space: This is the most physical part of the process, but hey it has to be done. Be mindful of size of the room. Do you want to fill it up to the brim or keep it minimal? Start to think about what are your must-have items. You can definitely decorate around them. Space has its limitations and it's best to know what they are before you buy and arrange furniture.
Source of inspiration: Home DIT Link