Three Interior Design Rules Everyone Should Know

While you may not be an interior designer yourself, there’s no reason why your home shouldn’t look like you are. Even if you live in a rental, there are a few simple things you can do that will completely transform the look of your home. Here are three interior design rules that everyone should know.

  1. Move slowly. It’s very tempting to buy furniture all at once when you move into a new space, but that’s actually one of the most common interior design mistakes. Be thoughtful about the things that you incorporate into your home to ensure that you like them a few months (or years) down the line. Even if this means living with a bare living room for a while, it’s almost always worth it.
  2. Avoid buying sets or furniture all in one place. If you purchase furniture in a set or buy an entire room’s decor from one store, it’s always very easy to tell. To avoid creating a monochromatic room that looks like a child’s bedroom, mix and match materials, colors, and textures from a few different sources.
  3. Don’t fight against the quirks. Many spaces, especially rentals, have built-in architectural details that you simply can’t change. Rather than trying to hide them or “fix” them, purchase furniture that works with your home’s little quirks. For example, add a window seat against a bay window to maximize the views rather than covering it with a large sofa.

6 Basic Interior Design Rules [Suite]
The 3 Principles of Interior Design [HGTV]
The 7 Rules of Interior Design [Zillow Blog]
5 Rookie Mistakes You’ll Never Make Again [Apartment Therapy]

How To Mix Vintage And Modern Pieces

All new furniture can be a blast, but for some unique elegance that avoids the ordinary, it's worth going the extra step to create an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary pieces. It's a great way to show off the flair of your own personal style, while recycling or upcycling some classics. Here are some ideas to help get you started:

Look at the items you already have, and work from there. It’s a good idea to keep larger items, like your couch or comforter, to simple, soothing, neutral colors, and then infuse personality and color with smaller items. Bring in stylish accessories like great pillows, stylish lamps, and attractive art work. To give your home a lived-in look, don't purchase all your furnishings and accessories at one place — that will look bland. Instead, purchase pieces over time, and keep your eyes open when you visit thrift, antique, and second-hand store.

For more advice, check out this list of tips for mixing vintage and modern pieces, along with this article on how to mix vintage and modern!

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