Interior design step by step
To many people interior design and decor may seem like "luxury" or unnecessary effort. It's true that it's an effort, but it's definitely not unnecessary. Because if a space is designed well, it is easily sustainable and renewable, and serves people well. Think about it: if you can do your work easily, rest or sleep well in a space, it makes you more efficient. However, if your environment isn't practical, it pulls you back and depresses you. So in a space that is well thought through, the energy you've invested returns multiple times.
Whether it's in your office, or your home - if for some reason you feel tired, scattered, cranky or demotivated - you might just need a little "change of scenery". You can do wonders with just a small makeover, but if you're moving to a new place, or renovating, you have the opportunity to make even more dramatic changes.
Not everyone can afford to hire a professional interior designer or decorator though. If you're one of those who can't, but you still want to create a space for yourself that is functional, efficient and inspiring, then read the following tips! I organized my thoughts in a way that will help you through the process of planning your new environment from the beginning to the end.
Function
"Something impractical cannot be beautiful."
- Otto Wagner
In order for a space to work well, you have to consider its function when planning and designing it. What would you like to do, how would you like to feel in that space? If you want to study or work, you'll need a completely different environment than if you want to sleep, eat, or let's say exercise. I'm not only talking about the furnishing and the equipment, but interior design, light, colours, materials, shapes and all the details that contribute to the efficiency of a space.
So if you're remodeling your home, a shop or an office yourself, begin your planning process by asking yourself the question: What do I want to use this space for?
Style, message
"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."
- Rachel Zoe
Once you've defined the purpose of the space, you need to decide what kind of style you want to follow.
There is a tight connection between style and function. Choosing the right style is important because through that, you convey a kind of message about yourself, your company, your store, etc. Style and the overall view is what's going to define the first impression of whoever steps into your home, your office, or any other type of space.
You don't have to follow any particular style of course, especially if it's your home. However, in order to create a coherent, visually pleasing space, you might need to learn a few rules and tricks.
Shapes and layout
"Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context - a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment ..."
- Eliel Saarinen
When we step into a room, the overview is largely determined by the kind of shapes we see, their context and their arrangement. If this is well thought through then the space radiates peace and harmony. But if for some reason we feel like a room is not pleasing to the eye, it's quite possible that there's something wrong with the shapes or their arrangement.
To assemble a room we first need to know the main views of the space and of course some ground rules.
Colours and light
"Colour provokes a psychic vibration. Colour hides a power still unknown but real, which acts on every part of the human body."
- Wassily Kandinsky
There's a strong interdependence between these two things, as they both influence each other's effect. The light reflecting/absorbing properties of colours affect the brightness of a space, and at the same time, the intensity and hue of light can change the colours. The quantity and quality of natural light is usually a given (although there are ways to change that too) but what about artificial light? When we plan the lighting in a space, we have to think about the colours and vice versa. When choosing the colours it's also important to consider the function of the space and the effect of colours on the human brain and body.
Materials
"Use the best possible materials and reveal the qualities of those materials and the craftsmanship of their assembly."
- Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Function is especially important when choosing the materials. We have to take the capacity of the materials into account, and think about how much they're going to be exposed to cold, heat, humidity, water, light, dirt, etc. If we choose the right materials, we can save ourselves a lot of work, time and money.
It is also important however, that materials serve our everyday comfort. Our sense of touch is just as powerful a sense as our vision or hearing. We should aim for our living space to affect all of our senses positively.
Pattern, texture, rhythm
"Texture is most evident where dark meets light..."
- Rex Brandt
In order to make a space visually exciting, we may need to use some patterns and textures. A textured surface becomes patterned when the light hits it. The patterns and textures give different rhythms, which lead our eyes and can influence our perception of the space. We can create rhythm other ways too, like with repetitive architectural elements, or decor pieces.
A smartly used pattern or texture can optically increase or decrease the size of the space, and can balance the overall view.
Personalization, finishing touches
"Your home should tell the story of who you are, and be a collection of what you love."
- Nate Berkus
Needless to say, your home becomes a real home when you fill it with personal items, memorabilia and accessories that reflect your personality. But even if it's a shop, or an office, where you might have some restrictions regarding the interior design and decor, there's always a way to sneak in some individuality. A common problem however is, that the space becomes flooded with personal belongings, souvenirs, the kids' old things, etc. and they make the space look crowded and busy with all the different colours and shapes. Despite this, we are reluctant to get rid of them. If you can relate to this, but you still want an organized, tidy and stylish home/office, you'll find these tips really helpful!
Use it differently!
"Normality is a paved road. It's comfortable to walk but no flowers grow on it."
- Vincent van Gogh
Every object has a primary, traditional use, which is usually the most practical. But this doesn't mean that they can't be used differently. Considering the most basic function of an object can help us find other practical ways to utilize it. If we pull objects out of their original context like this, we can fill our space with interesting and unique pieces.
Sometimes this requires smaller or bigger alterations, but sometimes we can give new purpose to an object, just as it is.
Think ahead!
"You can use an eraser on the drafting table or a sledge hammer on the construction site."
- Frank Lloyd Wright
Well, yes. This quote doesn't only apply to construction projects, but also to interior design and decorating. Because if you imagine something in your head and then you run excitedly to buy all the necessary items, you may even start the project, it is quite possible that you'll realise that something doesn't fit, or is big enough, the colors don't match, or it's not practical. Always think carefully about what you want to do with a space, and make a plan. It can save you a lot of time, energy and money.
Okay, but how do we start planning? What aspects should we consider? How do we know, we didn't leave out anything important? If you feel lost, the following tips can help you!
