Follow tried/true methods of styling an interior
It’s the smallest details that make the difference between average interior design and something outstanding.
Over the years, I have developed preferences and tried-and-true methods for styling an interior space, whether just for fun or for a photo shoot. Here are my best tips:
• Begin styling your room from the corners and work your way to the center of the room.
• Think on a larger scale. If possible, invest in larger and fewer accessories rather than amassing small items.
• I’m a firm believer that books are the best decorative accessories. They instantly warm up almost any room.
• Always try to bring in a pop of color matching the artwork hung in your room — for example, a pair of decorative pillows or a group of vases in a color selected from a nearby painting.
• Consider nature. Make sure to allow space for flowers and other plants in beautiful containers. They are great visuals and do double duty by freshening the air and the room. Earth provides natural decorations. A stone, a geode or an unusually shaped tree branch will make a great tabletop piece and start conversation.
• Mix different finishes in a room so you don’t end up with too much of any one print.
• Add a throw rug underneath a cocktail table. It will keep the table from looking like it’s floating and anchor it to the rest of the surrounding furniture. The rug can contrast a bit so that your design doesn’t look overthought.
• Make sure your lighting is up to snuff. Bad lighting can ruin a beautiful room and vice versa, good lighting can make an average interior sparkle.
• Mix your furniture. Nothing looks less contrived and lack luster than when a room is furnished in the same furniture brand and style. For a bit of the unique, don’t be afraid to mix in some antiques. You can also mix something old with something new, something that is glossy with something that is matte.
• If your room needs a full re-styling, move the furniture around. You may even want to try adjusting a few pieces, such as your seating area, so that they sit at an angle. You may need to leave some items against the walls so you can still recognize the shape of the room.
• Add some fruit to your tables. Put it in bowls, whether silver, crystal, wood or woven wicker. And feel free to spread the love by adding a few bowls around your home. They’re also a great tool for healthy snacking.
• I love a bar. A tray on top of any table makes an instant one. A few bottles of wine or your favorite libations, some tumblers and napkins, an ice bucket and some cans of mixers and voila! You’ve got a bar.
• Finally, my best advice in terms of kitchens: declutter. Put away all the appliances that are not used on a daily basis. • The same goes for condiments and any other countertop items. Bake a cake, decorate it to the nines and put it on a cake stand. It will make everyone smile.
Organization is crucial
Organization is an interior design’s best friend. Unsurprisingly, human perception is almost entirely visual, so why not make visuals the best they can be? To be sure, organizing is not extremely interesting; it’s up there with going to the dentist, for some. However, I enjoy making lemons into lemonade.
So pour yourself a glass or two of wine, put your favorite music on and roll up your sleeves, because the task at hand is to organize. Your interior decor will thank you for it, and when you stand back you’ll feel your rooms are refreshed.
I had a friend who once came into my office and opened every desk drawer and closet — and nearly fainted. I am not the only one to blame, but most normal folks tend to shove everything out of site and into drawers, corners and under beds and sofas. Those can be valuable storage spaces, but how you go about it, makes it right or wrong.
My first piece of advice is to go to a supply and container store and buy yourself a variety of plastic or wood containers or baskets, in multiples and in different sizes. This will make your closets and storage areas look visually organized and thought out.
Curate your closet as if it were a display. Yes, this means getting rid of things you don’t wear, can’t wear or won’t wear — be realistic. Closets are a place to go soft: perhaps linencovered boxes for seasonal items, special garments or shoes. Buying new and sturdy hangers is another way to organize your wardrobe. For those who have the patience, I recommend sorting your clothing by type, e.g., long-sleeve shirts, pants, shorts, jackets, suits, short-sleeve shirts. For those who are even more patient, you can sort those clothing types by color. It makes getting dressed easier.
Clear out that catchall closet and let’s create an office. Start by removing the door. Patch and paint the area where hinges once stood. Above the future desk area, place one or two shelves, which can be store-bought or custom-cut and stained in your desired shade. Add some corkboard to the back of the closet, which will now function as a bulletin board. The top of your desk can be a plywood board, covered in laminate or marble for a snazzier look. Add a rolling file cabinet and a desk chair and you’re well on your way to organizing your business, party invitations and monthly obligations.
If there are electrical outlets nearby, a small desk lamp can provide lighting, and you can plug in all of your communication devices.
Finding extra space is always convenient when you’re organizing. Pretend you live on a boat: every inch of space matters. Underneath your bed and underneath your sofa are good places to store items if the goods are properly protected in containers with lids that can be opened and closed.
And why not add a pair of skirted end tables for more storage? Any place can function as long as it’s organized — oh, and let’s not forget, visually appealing.