Top 8 Interior Design Rules Worth Following When Decorating Your Home

Eager to transform and beautify your indoor living space? As tempting as it may be to embrace the idea that there are "no rules" in design, the reality is that your space will generally look better if you do follow some basic, tried-and-true best practices in interior design.

While every room is unique and there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all formula to designing a stunning space, there are some tips and tricks you can keep in mind as you furnish and design your living room, bedroom, or any other space in your home

1. Create a Focal Point

Most rooms benefit from having a focal point—a component or feature that draws the eye's attention while tying the space together. Depending on the space with which you're working, your room may already have a "built-in" focal point (such as a cozy fireplace or a lovely bay window). If not, however, you can construct your own focal point with a statement furniture piece or even an eye-catching work of wall art.

2. Mix Up Your Lighting

The right lighting can also dramatically elevate the look and feel of your living space—yet this design component is so often overlooked. Ideally, your living space should have a minimum of four different types of lighting in place. Some examples of different lighting types include:

• task lighting
• ambient lighting
• accent lighting
• decorative lighting

By strategically mixing and matching various lighting options, you can illuminate your design while adding functionality to your space.

3. Don't Overlook Scale

One buzzword that you'll often hear professional interior designers use is "scale." This term simply refers to an understanding of how different objects within a room (such as furniture and decor) relate to the size of other objects sharing the same space, as well as the overall size of the living space itself.

Accounting for scale while designing your interior can help you achieve magazine-worthy results. This means choosing furniture that's appropriately sized for the room and accessorizing it appropriately. An area rug, for example, should be large enough to extend slightly beyond where your furniture sits—but not so large that it takes up the entire room.

4. Layer Textures and Fabrics

Another modern interior design "rule" that can really transform a space is that of incorporating lots of different layers of texture and fabric. This is what makes a space feel both cozy and upscale. 

You can achieve successful layering in your home interior design by choosing a dominant fabric to work around. This could be anything from leather on a sofa to luxurious silk on a set of curtains. From there, you can incorporate other smaller-scale fabrics with throw pillows, blankets, lampshades, and similar accessories. 

5. Use Color Strategically

It might seem obvious that the right use of color can really elevate a design—but knowing how to actually use color well in a space is often easier said than done. In fact, color theory is one of the most complex aspects of interior design—but there are a few best practices you can keep in mind when implementing a color scheme in your space.

Most importantly, use the color wheel to your advantage. This can be a great way to build different types of color schemes. If you're looking to incorporate a monochromatic scheme in your space, you can use the color wheel to choose a variety of tones within the same hue. Meanwhile, if you're going for a more complementary color scheme, you can select colors from opposite sides of the wheel.

6. Dress Windows Appropriately

Window treatments serve a dual purpose in your home; not only can they add privacy to your space, but they can also help enhance the look and feel of any room. The key is to use window treatments wisely.

When hanging curtains, for example, you can create the illusion of more space and taller ceilings by mounting curtain rods closer to the ceiling. Likewise, be sure to choose curtains that are long enough to reach the floor. Doubling up curtains (ordering twice as much curtain width than you technically "need") is also a great way to make your treatments appear fuller and more luxurious.

In addition to curtains, some other elegant window treatment options to consider include roman blinds, plantation shutters, and drapes. Ultimately, it's all about choosing the treatment type that best suits your space and lifestyle.

7. Design for Comfort

Even the most beautiful of interior designs will miss the mark if the space isn't comfortable and livable. Above all else, shop for furniture pieces and other decor that will be as comfortable and functional as they are stunning to look at. At the end of the day, successful interior design means crafting a space that's truly enjoyable for you and your guests. Otherwise, what's the point?

8. Measure, Then Measure Again

Last but not least, be careful to take measurements at least twice before ordering a furniture piece or even selecting wall art for a space. Unfortunately, it's easy to mis-measure the first time around—and being off by even a few centimeters could be the difference between a piece of furniture fitting in your space and completely derailing your design.

Any professional interior designer will tell you that it's always a good idea to measure at least twice before placing an order.

Need More Interior Design Guidance?

As you can see, there's a lot that goes into creating a beautiful yet functional living space. And while these design rules are a good place to start, you might still find yourself needing a little more guidance and support.

Fortunately, Domaine Furnishings offers dedicated interior design services to tackle your next project from start to finish.

Whether you're looking for living room interior design, bedroom interior design, or entire home interior design, our friendly and experienced professionals can help you turn your vision into reality. Get in touch to schedule your design consultation and start the process today!