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Rich Ideas- Dos and Don’ts
06/24/2009 - By Sheila Rich CID
Sheila Rich, author of “Rich Ideas”, is a State Certified Interior Designer and affiliated with IIDA and ASID.
Sheila Rich has been beautifying homes and businesses in the United States and Canada for over 30 years.
www.sheilarichinteriors.com
Q. My children have moved out and I’m excited about redecorating my house. I know I would have fun doing this myself but I’m so afraid of breaking the rules and making mistakes. What do you suggest?
A. Do you know the number one rule of interior design? It’s simple: There are no rules in interior design. After all, what is home décor but a reflection of your lifestyle and your own personal tastes? If you chose to hire professional, the goal of a good interior designer is to give you advice and guidance as to how you can maximize efficiency, get the most visual appeal from your space, or use your treasured mementos and other furnishings to their best advantage. The end result should be a home that speaks of you, not your interior designer.
One of the biggest traps people fall into when arranging furnishings is putting the most expensive or cherished pieces front and center for all to see – this is a big decorating don’t. As with every other piece you own, do place this prized possession in a spot where it has a natural fit; it should be in proportion with the space and become part of the whole picture, not a picture unto itself. Placing a piece of furniture in the wrong spot can actually detract from it, making it stand out like a sore thumb rather than allowing the proper placement to make the most of the piece - and your room.
Don’t feel that furniture must be lined up against the walls like soldiers in a firing squad. Instead, do think in terms of conversation groupings: a large space can lend itself well to an easy flow around two or more groupings, which, at the same time, will create a more intimate setting. Let a variety of art and interesting wall hangings take care of furnishing your wall space.
Small spaces don’t necessarily have to be treated with light colors in order to give the room a better appearance. If your room appears dark, then your lighting needs to be improved. Poor lighting and incorrect color choices can give a room a dark, drab appearance, so do give yourself the freedom to introduce colors that create a warm, cozy feeling.
Don’t overdo window treatments – not only will they become very pricey, but they can make a room feel dark and heavy. If the view from your windows is part of the room’s overall beauty, you may opt against window treatments. But if you want privacy, do keep the window treatments light and airy; they should complete the room and never overwhelm it.
Got accessories? Great! But make sure you don’t over-accessorize a room. Too many knick-knacks or collectibles can take over a room or leave no counter space in a kitchen – they can even make your home look like a department store. Do use accessories to personalize your home and add sparks of color. Just remember: too much of a good thing isn’t a good thing at all.
Using these general guidelines, you can head in the right direction to make the best decision for your own environment. In the end, when navigating the field of interior design, always be your own compass.
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