Hello and welcome to the brand-new Urban Living blog! We are thrilled to announce this new branch of our ever-growing brand and we hope you enjoy it. These posts will cover all aspects of interior design, from fan-favorite products to industry secrets, how to use your favorite colors, and beyond.
Feeling lost or overwhelmed when designing a space or home? I’ll admit, it can be quite daunting. Here are 10 guiding principles to get you started and lessen the stress.
Photo Credit: @kimberleyharrisoninteriors
Understand Your Space
As simple as it seems, the first step before embarking on designing a space is knowing the dimensions of said space and understanding its layout. This is a crucial first step because no decisions can be made before you know what will properly fit within the space. More often than you’d think, space constraints are not taken as seriously as they need to be. This can result in a sofa that is much too big, a rug that is too small, or a disproportionate nightstand.
Define What You Are Looking For
After you understand your space ask yourself, what do I want? While this step can be overwhelming when initially thinking about it, there are many outlets to look for inspiration and help narrow it down. Print magazines (Urban Living ahem), Pinterest, Instagram and even just looking at places you visit and taking note of design features or colors you are drawn to. You can then compile these images into mood boards! From here you can look for common themes that are present in the images.
Photo Credit: @img_nyc
Create a Focal Point
Take any space you walk into, what is the first thing that catches your eye? Usually, it is something that is striking whether by size or by color and texture. It can be a standout fireplace in a living room, an accent wall in a bedroom, or a dramatic light fixture in a foyer. Wall art can be used as a focal point as well. What is interesting about a focal point is that it can serve as a complement or contrast to the rest of the room. Take the wall art example, the colors and composition can either match the tone set in the room or it can be distinctly different than the aesthetic of the room.
Take Human Health into Account
COVID-19 truly opened my eyes to how important it is to prioritize human health. While the subject of interiors and how they relate to human health is quite a broad one and encompasses many areas, there are plenty of ways to start making health-conscious decisions. Utilizing non-toxic finishes like paints and stones or purchasing from brands that are transparent when it comes to where their pieces come from, how they are manufactured etc. is a great place to start. A great addition to consider is an indoor air purifier. These aim to filter out allergens, particulate matter, and more from the air inside your home and provide only clean and healthy air.
Opposites Attract
Blue and orange for a bedroom? It may sound bold, but when balanced properly it can be executed beautifully. The reason this works is because blue and orange are complementary colors, meaning they are opposite each other on the color wheel. Following color theory, there are a few types of color combinations that when used together, harmonize with one another. Complementary colors include red/green, orange/blue, and yellow/purple. Of course, there is a whole science behind this theory, but I won’t bore you with the details. Just don’t be afraid to take a bit of a risk when it comes to opposites.
Photo Credit: @elitedesignstudio
Emphasize Functionality
It may seem obvious, but prioritizing functionality is crucial in whatever space you are designing. Ask yourself what tasks will be performed in this space and what furniture do I need to include to achieve said tasks. How much space is needed? Will I need to possibly rearrange some furniture? To take this further, you can try and think about its function in five or ten years. Will its purpose change at all and will you need to allow accommodation for more people or a different task? Your future self will thank you.
Photo Credit: @ashleytstark
Layer Lighting
One of the best ways to set the tone of a space is to layer the lighting. Ambient, task, and accent lighting are the three basics to approaching a successful lighting plan. Ambient lighting provides light for the entirety of the space; Task lighting adds additional light to a spot where a specific task will take place; And accent lighting adds visual interest. These three components work together to achieve the intended aesthetic of the space. Each type of lighting serves a different purpose and when done correctly can enhance both the functionality and ambiance of a room.
Photo Credit: @karenaspreastudio
Don’t Be Afraid of Texture and Pattern
Texture and pattern create visual interest within a space and add a certain richness that would not otherwise be there. Different textures will lend to different ambiances, like velvet for example exudes coziness. Textures can be mixed, matched, and layered. A woolen throw over a leather sofa or a shag rug on a hardwood floor. When deciding on textures to incorporate, location should be taken into consideration, as a home in Florida will not need the same amount of warmth as a home in New York would. Pattern play can seem daunting, but it is one of the most fun ways to infuse character into a room. When choosing patterns, opt to vary the scale, create a color scheme in which all colors complement each other well, and mix the pattern types. The world is your oyster!
Photo Credit: @gregnatale
Take Your Time
The last thing you want to do is rush through the design process. While there are many steps to be taken until completion, the last thing you want to do is end up with a bed you dislike because you rushed to make decisions. Selection, whether it be big or little things, is a process that needs to be approached with care, effort, thought, and ample time. Remember, this space is for you, and you would hate to end up with a space you are not completely enthralled with.
Break All the Rules (If You Want)
At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you want with your space. No matter what anyone tells you, myself included, you have to trust your gut. If you want to pair blue and red together and it feels right then go for it! Your space is yours and only yours. Above all, enjoy yourself!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born and raised in New York, Shana Beck is an interior designer and writer with a degree from the New York School of Interior Design. Her work focuses on blending design principles with insightful commentary, offering a fresh perspective on trends and innovations in the field. With a passion for writing and a deep understanding of aesthetics, she aims to make complex ideas accessible and engaging, bringing a fun and cool approach to professional content. You can reach her at 845.825.1537 or shanabeck7@yahoo.com
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