Plan your makeover carefully
Whether you are about to design your interior space in one hit, or pace yourself (and your budget) over time, it is important to have a clear vision at the beginning of the result you want at the end.
Making a plan, literally, and understanding the constraints of a room, can help you make the right decisions and avoid common, often costly, mistakes. 1. Planning the space
Determining what should go into a space is as important as what you should leave out.
Selecting furniture, art work and lighting is key to creating maximum impact, and it can make or break the functionality of your home. This makes space planning an integral part of the design process, as it defines circulation patterns and develops a clear layout vision for furniture and homeware placement.
Space planning can be as simple as jotting down the measurements to a room and taking it along on your shopping trips; or engaging with online programmes such as floorplanner.com which help make it simple to create interactive floor plans.
Failing that, calling in the professionals in the early stages can avoid a kneejerk reaction to purchases, and potential mistakes.
There are several options available in New Zealand for e-decorating, an online service where clients interact with interior designers to achieve a professional yet affordable result. 2. Artwork Under-estimating the effect of art in a space is an area that people sometimes fail to appreciate.
This is one aspect of interior design where breaking the rules of perception of scale can actually work to your advantage.
For example, large art can be a defining feature in a small room, or a strong colour can work in juxtaposition with a neutral colour scheme.
Creating a cluster of individual pieces also makes a strong statement, and can work in both small and large spaces.
Online resources can assist the DIY enthusiast – such as YouTube video tutorials to help you hang your own frame wall, or interior design articles with tips and tricks to creating the perfect oversized art on a budget.
Choosing art because you love it is the first and foremost step, and a large piece of the puzzle. 3. Rugs Floor treatments are not only a practical element in any room, for both warmth and comfort, but they can also help define awkward space or multiple zones in large areas.
Design mistakes can be avoided by allowing for a larger rug, and ensuring that a stage is created for your furniture.
A good benchmark is to have the rug sitting under the front two feet of your sofa, and spanning your room to encompass any occasional furniture such as chairs and coffee tables.
Laying smaller rugs is also a more affordable option, and working with different shapes and sizes can create interest and help define breakout areas, such as fireside seating and play areas.
Large rugs can be expensive and hard to find, so here’s a tip – in some areas such as under the bed or dining room table, two identical rugs can be laid side by side to create a larger surface area.