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Some people have a knack for going beyond the basics of interior design, blending what seem to be the perfect colors, furniture, art and patterns together to make a room or an entire home really "pop." The rest of us might have to work a little harder, but with time and research, you'll have fun developing a style truly your own based on expert tips.

First Shop for Ideas

Four relatively free ways to get ideas:

Your reactions to various settings may surprise you. Maybe you thought you wanted a French country feel for the living room but now like the look of a neo-contemporary couch. Your mind's eye might have always envisioned the dining room in fire engine red, but there's just something about it being Delft blue with white trim that soothes you.

The ideas you've collected will help you move forward with design.

Plan the Room 

Big vs. Small

The proper use of scale applies to paint and fabrics as well. While rooms painted white appear larger, that doesn't mean all small rooms should be white. A tiny nursery can be very intimate in forest green - but adding a wallpaper border of giant teddy bears may be a bit too much, making the room appear off-balance.

Understanding the Use of Colors and Neutrals

This is one of the key basics of interior design, but it doesn't need to be complicated. Any good art store will have a color wheel you can twist and turn to see examples of:

Neutrals are forms of white, black, gray and beige. Neutrals are predominately used as the foundation of a room's scheme, but can also be the primary decoration, then accented with color.

Choose a Focal Point

Your focal point - the area that demands attention as soon as someone enters a room - can be just about anything, but remember the rest of room's design will be built upon and around it.

Collections Look Better Collected

If you like Depression glass, place the pieces on one table or shelf that can be backlit by the afternoon sun. If your hobby is black and white photography, don't hide your work in a dark hallway: dedicate one colored wall to your best photographs. Your collection of Pez dispensers might look cool lined up on a bookcase shelf.

Putting the Basics of Interior Design into Action

Now that you've learned some of the basics, let's pull everything together.


Interior design does not have to happen all at once; some of the best designs are done a little at a time until the ultimate vision has been achieved. Start gathering your ideas today to make your interior design dreams come true tomorrow.

Master the Basics of Interior Design