Interior Design 101: Decorating Tips for Beginners

So you didn’t go to school for interior design? No big deal; you can still transform your home into a designer-worthy space using just a few simple tips. These handy tricks will show you how to inject a stylish, inspiring look into any room in your home.

  1. Use symmetry. If you’re unsure of how to arrange the furniture in a room or hang frames on a wall, simply keep the idea of symmetry in mind. Symmetrical rooms are more pleasing to the eye, so try adding two sofas facing one another to help balance your living room.
  2. Consider the scale. Be sure to choose furniture in a size that fits your specific room. Choose large, overstuffed items for more open rooms and compact, apartment-sized furniture in smaller spaces.
  3. Choose a focal point. If the majority of your furniture is fairly plain, invest in one statement piece as an accent. Try a colorful chair, a large, framed painting, or an ornate rug.
  4. Use color to your advantage. Choose the color scheme of a room based on what type of emotion you want the room to convey. For example, use soft, soothing tones to encourage relaxation in a bedroom.
  5. Mix new and vintage pieces. While a room full of thrift store furnishings may look mismatched, using all brand new furniture looks impersonal. Combine the two styles for a designer look.

Top Interior Design Tips for Beginners [Bliss at Home]
Interior Design 101 [Visual.ly]
What are Some Interior Design Tips for Beginners? [Wise Geek]

Easy DIY Home Decor Projects You Can Do in a Day

If you love to do DIY (do it yourself) projects around the home, but you just don’t have the time during the week, don't fret! Here are a few impactful DIY projects that you can complete in less than one weekend day.

Terrarium Gardens [sunset.com]
Give your home’s interior a designer-inspired look by creating a trendy terrarium for every room. All you need are a few glass vessels in your chosen sizes and shapes, some well-draining potting soil, and small rocks or sand for extra drainage. Arrange air plants, succulents, or ferns inside to make your own container gardens in just a few hours!

Glitter Pendant Shade [realsimple.com]
If you love the look of retro hanging pendant lamps, you can make yours even more fabulous by adding light-reflecting glitter inside. By simply brushing the interior with the adhesive Mod Podge and sprinkling on a heavy dusting of colorful glitter, your lampshade will become instantly glamorous and festive.

DIY Stenciled Bookcase [realsimple.com]
Breathe new life into an old bookcase by appying a stencil to the back of the bookcase. Go with a bright paint color and stencil to add a fun pop of color and pattern to your room. Achieve the same effect by wallpapering the bookcase.

How to Style a Bed Just Like in the Catalogs

Many people dream of diving into the cushions and blankets of beds photographed in interior design magazines and catalogs, but you may not realize how simple it is to make that type of perfectly styled bed a reality. Use these smart tips to improve your bed — and likely improve your night’s sleep as well.

  1. Make a tier of pillows. Whether you have a headboard or not, creating a tier of pillows always looks aesthetically pleasing. Start with two extra-large pillows in the back, then add one shorter set of standard queen sized pillows in the center. Finish with one or two throw pillows in the front to make a statement.
  2. Use a minimal color scheme. If you don’t feel confident enough to mix and match colors and patterns, simply use a minimal color scheme with one bright, bold pop of color. Use white, grey, or simple pinstripes for your duvet and pillows, then add a fun throw or small pillow in an accent hue.
  3. Add texture. If your bed looks a bit flat, add bit of texture by incorporating one faux fur, velvet, or chunky knitted item.
  4. Use an alternative headboard. If you don’t have a headboard, don’t fret. Use an antique door, large tapestry, or DIY wood palette headboard to add eclectic style to your room. Or for a more traditional look, a tufted or wooden headboard can be used as the bed’s focal point.

How To: Style a Bed 3 Ways [Style Me Pretty: Living]
How to Style a Bed [The Everygirl]
How to Make the Perfect Bed [Pottery Barn]

Expecting Company? Here’s How to Prepare Your Home for Overnight Guests!

You just found out that a few friends or family members are coming to visit for a few days, and they’re going to stay at your place instead of a hotel. Before you get stressed, check out these simple tips for making guests feel comfortable in your home.

  1. Create a private area. Although a separate guest bedroom is the ideal area for out-of-town guests, not all homes have this space. Give your guests a bit of added privacy by placing an air mattress in a little-used office instead of offering them the living room couch, or even put up a temporary partition at night if the couch is your only option.
  2. Provide linens. One of the most important things you can do to make guests feel at home is to provide them with clean sheets, towels, and other linens. Place a stack of towels on the bed, and be sure to turn down the bed sheets before they arrive.
  3. Offer storage. Your guests will feel like a nuisance if their suitcases are strewn all over the floor, so offer them a spare closet or even a corner of a low-traffic room where they can store their belongings.
  4. Invest in a few snacks. Oftentimes guests’ eating schedules are different from your own, and they might feel uncomfortable mentioning their hunger. Purchase a few tasty snacks before they arrive, and be sure to accommodate dietary restrictions like veganism or lactose intolerance.

Plan Your Peaceful Christmas: Guest-ify Your Home [The Art of Simple]
Getting Ready for Overnight Guests [Real Simple]
How to Welcome Overnight Guests Without Spending Money [Not Spending Money]
Hosting Overnight Guests [Life Your Way]
Make Your Overnight Guests Feel at Home [Southern Living]

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