Interior Designing: Back to Basics

August is the season of back to school, yay! Before your kids go off to college, they are receiving the knowledge that will be the foundation of their achievements in the future. Before you can focus in on one specific passion, you must first start with the basics. The basics for interior design are most likely incorporated into your home without you even realizing it! Now class, let’s review!

Selecting a Style

Before you begin decorating or designing your space, you should pick a style. This can be as vague as casual vs formal or traditional vs contemporary. Once you have this narrowed down, you can be a bit more specific about what look you are going for.

Here are a few examples of trending design styles:

·        Modern

·        Minimalist

·        Vintage

We advise our clients to take their time when choosing the style they want to bring into their home. Since this is the first step, it will set the tone for the rest of your interior design project. Picking the wrong style could result in an interior design that doesn’t really resonate with you. Consulting with an interior designer is a great way to make sure you are on the right track with your design.

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Choose Your Color Scheme

This step can be challenging but try not to let this overwhelm you! The color palette you choose can be used throughout the entire house/space. However, in some interiors, we see clients using different color palettes and styles in different rooms.

Whichever route you take, the colors you choose should compliment each other.

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Some examples of colors that could be used in a modern style interior:

~ Black, Navy, Beige

~ Forest Green, Light Gray

~ Blue, Beige

Examples of colors that could be used in a minimalist style interior:

~ Gray, Sand, Blue

~ Blush pink, Black

~ Gray, Brown

Examples of colors that could be used in a vintage style interior:

~ Bright, Bold Colors

~ Pink, Green

~ White, Pops of Color

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Once you choose your color palette, pick which colors you want to be the complimenting colors and which ones you want to stand out the most or be primary. We recommend using complimentary colors when choosing décor and the primary colors when choosing your bigger pieces.

For example, in a bedroom, use your primary color for your furniture/paint and the complimenting colors for throw pillows and décor throughout the room.

Adding Patterns

Now that you have established your style and chosen what color palettes to use, you can have some fun with choosing what patterns you want to add into your space.

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Here are some options to consider when choosing your patterns:

~ Geometric Pattern Furniture: These really pop when used in a black and white color scheme, or something similar. Geometric patterns would look great in a modern interior style.

~ Oversized Pattern Rug: This choice will anchor your space and pull together different colors that are used throughout your space. This pattern would be ideal for a vintage interior style.

~ Patterned Pillows: Adding throw pillows with a pattern is a great way to add depth to your space in a subtle way. Using this choice would be best suited for a minimalist interior style.

This is a bit more advanced than the previous two basic steps, so take your time, choose wisely, and have fun!

It has been proven that the space you live in has a direct effect on your mental health. So, make your space whatever YOU want it to be. Beginning with the basics is always the best way to start. Consult with an interior designer or let us, Stephanie Kratz Interiors, do the heavy lifting for you!

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